Ex-Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner says the Hoops should target Liverpool No.2 Caoimhin Kelleher as Joe Hart’s long-term replacement.

The poor form of the ex-Manchester City keeper has prompted speculation about who could succeed the 36-year-old, and Bonner says Kelleher would be a great solution:

“There was talk about [Caoimhin] Kelleher coming up from from Liverpool. I don’t know if Liverpool will let him go from that point of view.”

“Because he fits their bill and that would have been an ideal situation to see. Could he come in and Joe Hart then might have to phase out and become a support goalkeeper to him? But at the moment I think he’s number one.”

Kelleher would be the perfect keeper for Brendan Rodgers

The Republic of Ireland international is very comfortable when asked to play out from the back, and there is no doubt that he would be a good fit for Brendan Rodgers’ style of play.

On top of that, Kelleher is still only 24 years of age, so there is the potential for him to be Celtic’s keeper for the next decade or so if he is snapped up.

Would Celtic have a chance to sign him?

As Bonner mentions, the biggest issue is whether Liverpool would want to let Kelleher go. He is currently Jurgen Klopp’s No.2 and he is set to start games in both the Europa League and Carabao Cup.

The Irishman was in goal for the Reds’ 3-1 win over LASK Linz last Thursday and he is expected to put on the gloves when they take on Leicester on Wednesday evening.

There is also the small matter of the transfer fee. When it was reported that Liverpool could consider letting Kelleher leave at the end of last season, the valuation quoted was between £15m and £25m; a fee that is way above Celtic’s price range.