Nikita Haikin

Celtic and Wolves are plotting moves to sign Bodo/Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin, Football Insider understands.

The shot-stopper, 26, has been outstanding during Bodo’s run to the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Celtic and Wolves are both in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer and Haikin is on the radar for both clubs.

He is out of contract at Bodo in December and they will cash in this summer if their valuation of around £500,000 is met.

Haikin, who holds an English passport, spent time with Chelsea, Portsmouth and Reading during his youth career but failed to make a senior appearance for any of those clubs.

The Russia international signed for Bodo in March 2019 and helped his side win the Norwegian first division in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

 

I don’t believe this one, think between Hart, Bain and the youngster I can’t remember the name of Ange is very happy.

 

Football insider is a terrible source but the only thing that makes me think there maybe some truth in it is I don’t think Ange is a stranger to players who have played well against him. When he went and got Kyogo, then, Hatate and Ideguchi they were all players who his sides had come up against and made an impact, I think that was a big factor in him signing Ideguchi despite him not having the best season last year, as the season before he had ran over the top of Ange’s midfield in the clashes between Gamba and Yokohama.

For the price and if we are shifting Barkas, Hazzard and I think Doohan is out of contract I wouldn’t be against it. His distribution and sort of sweeper keeper instincts seemed good, he was always very quick off his line.

 

Bain is an awful keeper mate

 

I agree and the step down from Hart to him is massive but he did just sign a contract extension.

For £500k, this is an absolute no brainer.

That would be Maeda, Solbakken, Haikin, CCV and Jota for around £15.5m.

 

Wouldnt say no as its a cheap deal, but I'd still prefer the Dundee Utd goalie.

 

We should be looking at a long-term replacement for Hart, but a 26 year old keeper is a bit too old for that imo, in the sense that he should be playing straight away.

Conceivably could get 3 years out of Hart quite easily.

 

We definitely should be looking for a keeper. Hart has been great but he is getting on a bit and isn’t very good with the ball at his feet.

Another year with him being first choice before phasing in a new keeper would be ideal.

 

Whit? If we could get potentially 3 years out of Hart, Haikin would be 29. That's younger than Hart's age when he joined us...

 

Yeah, which is fine for us, but not exactly what a 26 year old goalkeeper is going to be looking for here.

If a 26 y/o keeper is currently first choice and playing well for Bodo, he wouldn’t be willing to come here to play 2nd choice for a few years, imo.

 

Ah, got you.

Tbf he could be used for cup games and Hart will pick up an injury eventually.

 

If hart gets injured we are *

 

That's the bottom line. 100% need another keeper, better than Bain.

 

I disagree, best backup keeper we’ve ever had IMO. Big part of the dressing room by all accounts, happy to be a stand in, suits Ange’s style and is decent enough.

 

I genuinely couldn’t disagree more with the best backup ever comment mate. The 3-2 Betis game he was horrible and he cost us CL qualification against Cluj at Parkhead. He strikes me as a naturally agile guy who would’ve been decent outfield when he was younger who has made a career as a goalkeeper on just that. Seems a great guy but for me Zaluska was miles better. If (touch wood) Hart was out tomorrow I’d honestly fear the worst.

We absolutely need better than Bain as backup. Hart is getting older and we cannot rely on him going a full season without getting injured next year. Imagine all that work to get to the CL and end up with Bain in the sticks on those big nights. That would * kill me. And I genuinely like Bain, just don’t rate him one bit.

 

Who would you say was a better backup? He’s streets ahead of the likes of Zaluska. Maybe Craig Gordon if you count him for a season.

I can’t see us getting two guys of Hart’s kinda quality in, not arsed at all about Bain being the back up.

If we wanted two top quality keepers go for Forster again on a bosman.

 

Regardless of whether he's the best back up we've had for a while or not, personally think Zaluska was better, he's still * and would cost us if Hart was out for any period of time.

Bringing in a 20-25 year old on the way up would be perfect.

 

We’re never gonna have the quality of Forster on the bench. Genuinely give anyone else a go. Zander Clark or something or some * playing in Sweden. I’m not here to make suggestions but Bain is shocking and he’s not streets ahead of any *

 

Bain’s better than Clark for me 100%

 

I think Hart will be first choice for at least another 2 years, 3 if we're lucky, but we should start preparing his replacement no later than next summer.