Glove Story: Part II

Fraser Forster is delighted to have returned to Paradise and is looking forward to the season ahead

- Tony Connelly

FIVE years after bidding farewell to Celtic, Fraser Forster has returned to Paradise and helped Neil Lennon’s side secure a 3-1 win over Hearts. The Englishman always harboured hopes that he could come back to Celtic and when he found himself in the Huddle before kick-off, it was as if he had never been away.

Forster spent four special years at Celtic between 2010-14, Neil Lennon having brought the goalkeeper initially on loan from Newcastle United before signing him permanently two years later. Forster was part of the Hoops side that won the first three league titles in the current run of eight-in-a-row, and also has two Scottish Cup medals to his name. He also holds the Scottish league record for most minutes without conceding a goal – which stands at an incredible 1,256 minutes.

Now he has returned to Celtic Park on loan, this time from Southampton, and after taking a half-time bow under the Paradise spotlight in Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League play-off win over AIK of Sweden, Forster is looking forward to the campaign ahead.

“I had goosebumps walking out on to the pitch at half-time,” said Forster in an exclusive interview with the Celtic View. “It was an unbelievable reception from the fans. To come back to this is absolutely fantastic. It’s up there with one of the best feelings I’ve had in football because you normally never get that opportunity to have a moment with you and the fans.

“When I left back in 2014, I never got the chance to properly say goodbye to the fans. Normally you’re walking out on to the pitch for a game, so to walk out in front of the crowd and to have them give you a welcome like that is something really special.