New deal at Celtic is ‘a step forward’ says Fraser Forster

CELTIC manager Neil Lennon has expressed delight over securing goalkeeper Fraser Forster on a permanent deal.Forster, who has signed a four-year contract, had spent the last two seasons on loan from Newcastle but the end of the long-running saga over his permanent transfer confirms Celtic’s first summer signing.

Lennon told the club’s website: “We are delighted that Fraser has committed his future to the club and we believe he will be a magnificent addition to the squad. He is a top-class ’keeper.”

Forster, 24, added: “This is a massive club and I feel this is a step forward in my career. I want to win things as a team and improve as an individual and I think I will be able to do that at Celtic. It also gives me a great opportunity to play in the Champions League if we get through the qualifiers. I really enjoyed my time in Europe last season so I will be looking forward to it if it happens again.

“We have a great young squad here. The players and the coaches make it an enjoyable place to be and I like being a part of this team.”

Meanwhile, Celtic will launch their 125th anniversary celebrations with a friendly against Inter Milan, the team they beat in the 1967 European Cup final.

The match will take place at Parkhead on 28 July, seven days before the start of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season.

Lennon said: “History is something to respect and to cherish and we are delighted to be celebrating 125 years of Celtic in such a manner. The match will be a magnificent event where we welcome some top players to Glasgow and honour those who have played such an important role in Celtic’s past. I am sure this will be an occasion which our supporters, across many generations, will wish to experience.”