If Ange Postecoglou didn’t already have selection issues heading into Celtic’s first competitive fixture next week, he certainly does now.
The Hoops drew 0-0 with their pre-season opposition on Wednesday evening but it was a clash marred with injuries.
On the chalkboard
Mikey Johnston earned a rare opportunity but had to be withdrawn early in the first half while Odsonne Edouard also sustained an injury against Charlton.
The Bhoys were already missing James Forrest due to his self-isolation period and he remains a doubt for their match with Midtjylland next week.
They could also be without Vasilis Barkas. The Greek stopper was injured in the warm-up and had to sit on the sidelines for the entire game.
He was pictured sitting next to the pitch with his fingers on his right hand severely strapped up.
The extent of his problem isn’t known but Celtic already have somewhat of a headache in his position.
Barkas missed a great deal of last season after he suddenly became number 2 to Scott Bain. His first campaign in Glasgow wasn’t an easy one as he was subject to a number of individual errors.
However, Bain and third choice ‘keeper Conor Hazard weren’t a pillar of solidity either, making their own mistakes.
Their £4.5m signing from last summer had been entrusted between the sticks against Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton but now faces a race to be fit for next week.
The solution
One of the areas Celtic needed to look at strengthening this summer was their goalkeeping department.
They’ve been linked with moves for Benjamin Siegrist and Mat Ryan but the latter has now departed Brighton for Real Sociedad instead.
Another target has been Freddie Woodman but there could be complications regarding a swoop for the Newcastle stopper.
Leeds are also interested in the 24-year-old but he was on the verge of joining Bournemouth on loan before the Magpies realised that Martin Dubravka had sustained an injury.
This may give Celtic an opportunity to weigh up a bid themselves and if they can conclude a deal, it would surely fix Postecoglou’s biggest headache.
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The new head coach would have a reliable man to replace Barkas next week and potentially aid their leaky backline throughout the entirety of 2021/22.
The £9m-rated Woodman has previously been described as “unbelievable” by Lee Clarke who coached him at Kilmarnock and it’s easy to see why; he’s a very safe pair of hands.
He didn’t miss a single game last season for Swansea, keeping 21 clean sheets during his 48 outings for the Championship side.
The Newcastle goalkeeper’s form in recent campaigns has also earned calls for him to be included in Gareth Southgate’s England set-up.
Clearly highly thought of, he’d be a wise signing for Postecoglou and co.