News today that Glasgow powerhouse Celtic have targeted Steve Harper, the Newcastle United goalkeeper, as a replacement for Artur Boruc.
Steve Harper – Celtic fancy the Newcastle goalkeeper
Boruc has just one year left of his contract at Celtic, but new manager Neil Lennon, doesn’t want to lose the Polish goalkeeper to a free transfer next summer, and would rather sell him this summer, and bring in a replacement.
Sources in Scotland claim that Harper has been identified as a real target, and it may be due to new Celtic coach Alan Thompson, who was of course a coach at Newcastle from 2008 until he joined Celtic two weeks ago.
The news suggests that Newcastle would be willing to listen to offers for the 35 year-old local lad Harper, who had a record 20 clean sheets in the Championship last season, a new record at the famous North East club.
Harper was signed back in 1993 from Seaham Red Star by the great Kevin Keegan, and Steve has now made 173 appearances for Newcastle, and has been the regular goalkeeper on Tyneside since Shay Given joined Manchester City in January of last year.
Steve was one of Newcastle’s best players last season, when Newcastle easily won the CC Championship to return to the Premier League.
Newcastle have two excellent young goalkeepers at the club, in Fraser Forester and Tim Krul just waiting in the wings, and this may be one reason behind this story – if it’s made up.
But we doubt if Newcastle manager Chris Hughton will be keen to lose Steve, who brings a solidity to Newcastle’s defense, and is as safe as houses in the Newcastle goal.
After waiting so long for his chance at Newcastle, we think he’ll have a couple more seasons, at the very least, at his home-town club, before he even thinks about hanging up his gloves.
Comments welcome.
14 comments so far
macn0ble (Finland)
Jun 24, 2010 at 8:50 AM
Comment #1I’d rather lose Steve then Tim. Tim is definetly the next Oranje No 1, whereas Steve has only few good years left.
Rotonda heights
Jun 24, 2010 at 9:09 AM
Comment #2Macnoble is right. I think this sort of thing has to happen to ensure we don’t lose Krul who is nearly 23 now. Somehow though I can’t see Celtic affording Harper’s wages.
lesh
Jun 24, 2010 at 9:17 AM
Comment #3Makes sense – Harper out and thus bringing in some transfer funds, Krul number 1 keeper, Foster loaned out and the Algerian keeper as Krul’s number 2?
JSYproject
Jun 24, 2010 at 9:24 AM
Comment #4@rotonda ….
cant see harpers wages being to high like, no where near as robbie keanes anyway.
But it all just depends where krul actually is in his career right now.. Cos if hes not good enough for another year that could be the difference between stayin up and relegation. Id rather keep harper for another year personally just till we have some stability.
Rotonda heights
Jun 24, 2010 at 9:33 AM
Comment #5JSY
Krul was good enough 4 years ago. But @ NUFC very few youngsters are given their chance. The ones who have, like Krul, Kadar, Carroll and Ranger have not let anyone down. Like England , we have to lose the fear.
TheEwing
Jun 24, 2010 at 9:53 AM
Comment #6Tim Krul, isn’t good enough yet. If anyone would like to think back to the Huddersfield Carling Cup tie last season you’ll remember he was woeful. Give him a bit more time and he’ll make it.
Captain Beefheart
Jun 24, 2010 at 10:03 AM
Comment #7It’s a proud tradition. The GREAT Ronnie Simpson made the same move and then played well into his late forties. I remember seeing his testimonial game (NUFC v CELTIC) at St James back in ’68 after Celtic (and Ronnie) had won the European Cup.
He made one amazing save that I can still to this day replay in my head.
Sure it’s a grand old team to play for…..
AngerOfTheNorth
Jun 24, 2010 at 11:07 AM
Comment #8I can’t imagine Harper being willing to go to be honest. He’s waited for years to be our no.1, helps the club get back into the Premier League, then… moves to Scotland?! He’ll want a season for Newcastle at the top level I reckon.
From Newcastle’s point of view though, it might be a decent move financially if Krul or Forster are ready. That is a big if though, as JSY and Ewing say…
Solaidback
Jun 24, 2010 at 11:12 AM
Comment #9What about making Forster the No 12 goalie instead of sending him out on loan, as he was Norwich player of the seaosn last season wasn’t he, so he’s obvioulsy pretty good in goal, may it only be in League 1 but I thin both our young goalies need to get some 1st team game or they’ll move on & we alreay know that teams are looking at Krul, so best give him a run of game to prove himself I think or sell him!!!
Solaidback
Jun 24, 2010 at 11:12 AM
Comment #10Thats No 1 goalie for Forster, not No 12, sorry 🙁
Captain Beefheart
Jun 24, 2010 at 11:53 AM
Comment #11Solaidback, spot on. I also suggested this a few weeks back. Keeping Krull on bench-warming duties yet again will surely hasten his exit. While Forster is fresh from a successful season and is match sharp – Krull isn’t, as he proved with one or two gaffs when he did play.
I’m certain there are several Prem clubs that would gladly take Krull on board, or even La Liga etc, to get him match sharp again or we risk squandering the undoubted talent he has. If he ain’t playing, he ain’t improving – and he knows it more than anybody.
danmole92
Jun 24, 2010 at 1:37 PM
Comment #12get rid of him hes rubbish. tim krul deserves a shot. Harper goes down to easy and all the prem knows. watch Torres first 50 on ~LFC tv he says he knows the keeper goes down quick against us.
Turkish Magpie
Jun 24, 2010 at 4:17 PM
Comment #13What a surprise Celtic want a NUFC goalkeeper!
Thump
Jun 24, 2010 at 6:24 PM
Comment #14Celtic can f**k off