Exclusive: Paul Robinson drools over 'Brilliant signing' by Celtic

Paul Robinson has hailed Fraser Forster as a "brilliant signing" by Celtic and claimed he would have been "desperate" to get out of Southampton.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-England goalkeeper insisted the Hoops loanee would have viewed a return to Parkhead as a "no-brainer".

Forster could not even get in the Southampton squad for most of last season, and had begun the new campaign as third choice behind Alex McCarthy and Angus Gunn.

Celtic took advantage of Forster's availability to sign him on a season-long loan in August after Scott Bain dislocated his finger.

"It's a brilliant signing because I rate him as a goalkeeper," ex-Tottenham and Leeds United keeper Robinson told Football Insider. "I thought there is certain flaws in him with his feet and his movement and those types of things but I think it was an astute signing by Celtic.

"In that kind of environment, I think he can do well but it's about his ambition and getting himself back to the level he was able to achieve before.

"As a goalkeeper, confidence and comfortableness is better for you, obviously, and going back to familiar surroundings at Celtic - I think he was probably that desperate to get out of Southampton at the time he’d have gone anywhere - but when Celtic came knocking it was a no-brainer for him."

Since rejoining Celtic, Forster was immediately installed as number one after leapfrogging former first choice Craig Gordon.

The on-loan Southampton man has made 11 appearances for the Hoops in his second spell at the club, keeping five clean sheets and conceding just seven goals.

He will soon face strong competition for his place as Scotland number one Bain is on the comeback trail after signing a new four-year contract yesterday.

In other Celtic news, it can be REVEALED that the club have agreed the terms of a £5million-plus deal.