Fraser Forster reveals what was unacceptable at Celtic
By Harvey Byrne
Former Celtic shot stopper and current Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster has shared that it’s unacceptable to lose at the Hoops.
The 28-year-old England international spent four years at Celtic Park between 2010 and 2014 before making the £10million switch to the Saints.
He is set to feature in the south coast club’s EFL Cup final at Wembley against Manchester United on Sunday and he has recalled his time playing at a big side like Celtic, who are expected to win all of their games in the build-up to the clash.
“When you’re at Celtic there’s a real unique pressure on you. It’s a good pressure,” told Forster, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“Whether it’s a league game, cup or Europe you’re expected to win and dropping points isn’t really acceptable.
“That’s a fantastic pressure to have on yourself. You go to the final and have that pressure on you. You’re expected to win it. But you get used to it at Celtic. It’s a huge club and that’s what’s demanded of you.
“When you’re battling with Rangers in the league and they’ve played at lunchtime and won, you know you’ve got to go out and win, or if you’re drawing 1-1 in the final minutes you know you’ve got to go and try and win. It’s that’s what it’s all about.
“It’s hard to explain the pressure in Scotland unless you’ve been a player and played up there yourself.
“Down here it’s just a fantastic achievement to get to the final and to be playing Manchester United. We will go in as underdogs.”
Forster played in a grand total of 197 matches for Celtic during his time at the club, keeping 101 clean sheets and conceding just 157.
His most notable appearance came against Barcelona in the Champions League where he managed to keep a clean sheet against world class attacker Lionel Messi in a barrage of attacks.
The goalkeeper also won three Premiership titles alongside two Scottish Cups during his time at Celtic and was named the player of the season in both 2013 and 2014.
He will now be looking to earn some more silverware on Sunday as he looks to help Southampton win their first major trophy since a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in 1976.
In other Celtic news, Hoops fans have reacted on Twitter to Joe Garner being suspended from the Old Firm derby.
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