Celtic and Ipswich monitor Nick Pope as Newcastle prepare for summer exit
Reports indicate Newcastle United have informed the 34-year-old he is free to depart, with Celtic manager Martin O’Neill confirming the need for squad reinforcement.
Celtic are reportedly considering a move for Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope, who is expected to leave St James’ Park this summer. According to a report by Craig Hope in The Daily Mail, the club’s hierarchy has informed the 34-year-old that he is free to depart, opening the door for a potential transfer window exit.
The potential move comes as Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed the club is actively seeking a new goalkeeper. The requirement stems from a shift in the squad’s structure following the retirement of Kasper Schmeichel. Vil Sinisalo, who deputised for the Dane, assumed the number one role in March and has since established himself as the first-choice keeper.
With Ross Doohan remaining as the only other first-team option, the club is looking to bolster its goalkeeping depth. Pope is viewed as a seasoned operator who could provide competition for Sinisalo. The report notes that while Pope has not reached the same elite level as former England international Joe Hart, who joined Celtic later in his career, he remains a capable presence at the top level.
Interest in the Newcastle goalkeeper is not limited to Glasgow. Ipswich Town, managed by Gary O’Neil, are also reported to be interested in signing Pope. The 34-year-old former England international is therefore facing competition for his next club as he navigates the final stages of his career.
The situation at Newcastle suggests a transitional period for the squad, with the hierarchy allowing Pope to explore opportunities elsewhere. While links have previously been thin on the ground regarding Celtic’s search for a successor to Schmeichel, the monitoring of Pope represents a concrete development in the club’s recruitment strategy for the upcoming season.
