Celtic legend David Provan has urged the former Scottish Premiership champions to recruit Derby County goalkeeper David Marshall this summer, speaking on Glasgow-based station Go Radio.

Scotland's number one currently finds himself behind Kelle Roos and new signing Ryan Allsop in the pecking order at Pride Park as things stand, in a shocking turn of events for the goalkeeper who was performing on the world stage at the European Championships just a couple of months ago.

The Rams are still in a bit of a crisis this summer even after being able to recruit Allsop, Richard Stearman, Ravel Morrison and tie Curtis Davies down to a new contract - but decided to bring the former in to compete with Dutch shot-stopper Roos.

 

 

This has left Marshall's future looking uncertain in the East Midlands - and he could potentially be allowed to leave by manager Wayne Rooney to make space for another much-needed addition and go further in persuading the EFL to relax the current restrictions currently being imposed on the Championship side.

One potential destination for the 36-year-old could be Celtic according to former winger David Provan, back in the goalkeeper's home nation after he started his footballing career at Ange Postecoglou's side.

Speaking on Go Radio about this potential move, Provan said: "Would it not make sense for Celtic to go and get David Marshall?

"And get him for nothing, probably, and have him and Joe fighting for the gloves?

"(Vasilis) Barkas is going, isn’t he? The sooner the better. Not just for Celtic, but for Barkas, as well.

"And, hopefully, his agent is working on a deal for him now to move him on.

"And that would leave room, and I think Marshall would make sense."

Marshall has played for Norwich, Cardiff, Hull, Wigan Athletic and the Rams since he left Celtic Park in 2007 - and may want to return to a familiar setting to end what has been a successful career for the Scotland international who has played 46 times for his nation.

The Verdict:

Even though Wayne Rooney might be planning for life without the 36-year-old, the decision to drop the Scottish keeper to third choice is still a baffling one in all honesty.

In the past, Marshall has tended to win points on his own for his team in the past and his appearances at Euro 2020 shows he's still a great option to have in the second tier.

And with Derby in their current crisis, needing to ensure they make the right signings to stay afloat in the Championship and limited by the EFL in the number of players they could sign, recruiting a new goalkeeper shouldn't have been at the top of the transfer agenda.

Allsop is a decent enough keeper, but he hasn't exactly pulled up trees in the Championship and he's unlikely to make a huge difference to the Rams' cause.

Getting players in that could make a key difference in the starting lineup needed to be their priority - and the former Wycombe Wanderers man isn't likely to do that after being benched by Kelle Roos.

Marshall, who has been treated poorly in all this, should be pushing for a move away and the prospect of returning to Celtic to compete with Joe Hart could be an offer he can't turn down.