The transfer saga of last year from a Celtic point of view was with Fraser Forster.
The 6 foot 7 behemoth of a goalkeeper had enjoyed a spectacular campaign on loan at Parkhead but would leave the Hoops in search of becoming the number one at his parent club.
It was a blow for the Bhoys as Southampton looked to reintegrate him back into the first-team set-up at St Mary’s.
With Forster out the door, the hierarchy turned their attention elsewhere. They moved decisively to sign Greece international Vasilis Barkas.
He set Celtic back a sum of £4.5m after he joined from AEK Athens but that fee has rather wasted.
Barkas has played just twice in the league since January and has made a number of high profile errors. Unfortunately, he’s not been the only one.
Scott Bain has been questionable between the sticks as well. He was at fault for two goals during the club’s defeat away at Sparta Prague in Europe and let the mistakes engulf him again in the second part of the season.
Bain was beaten by a rasping effort from Alfredo Morelos during their 4-1 drubbing against Rangers but he should have done more to react in time and potentially beat the ball away.
After such a torrid campaign from a defensive point of view, Celtic should look at bolstering their goalkeeping ranks.
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One player linked with a move to Paradise is Benjamin Siegrist. However, with incoming manager Eddie Howe’s expertise in the English game, he could look towards Asmir Begovic instead.
Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast earlier this week, Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie claimed the experienced stopper should be on Celtic’s wish list: “Begovic, you know, he's a big player. Again, he's had a very good season at Bournemouth. I do feel that, yes, the goalkeeping area is certainly a massive must for me. Begovic is a very, very good goalkeeper,” he stated.
"There are lots of goalkeepers out there that would certainly be attracted to go into Celtic,” Hendrie concluded.
You can understand why the Bhoys would be appealed by his name. Begovic is somebody who’s been around for a while now but at the age of 33, he still has plenty left in the tank as a goalkeeper.
The Cherries figure is capped 63 times by Bosnia and Herzegovina, while he’s played for both Chelsea and AC Milan. Thus, the ‘keeper knows how to perform and thrive in high-pressure situations. He also knows what it means to play for a club with lofty ambitions.
Standing at 6 foot 6, he is a man-mountain between the posts, an attribute that judging by Forster’s height would prove beneficial at Lennoxtown.
He also comes highly recommended by Howe.
Begovic played 62 times under the Englishman at Bournemouth and earned a glowing review for his performances from the incoming Celtic boss.
Speaking in 2019 after he dropped the stopper, he praised the veteran for his attitude and mentality: “He's the ultimate professional, Asmir.”
Celtic have lacked leaders this season, a player who can pull their teammates aside and help them to improve their game.
The Hoops linked goalkeeper feels like a player with that kind of good-willed nature to his personality.
Not only would he be an important addition on the pitch but he’d be fantastic in the dressing room.
Howe wouldn’t be going too far wrong by arriving in Paradise and making Begovic his first signing, it's something he must do.