Celtic have reportedly informed third-choice goalkeeper Scott Bain that he is free to leave the club, drawing a close to a six-year spell in Glasgow. [TCW]
The 33-year-old, who joined Celtic from Dundee in 2018, still had a year left on his contract, but the club have opted to cut the deal short by mutual agreement. Bain will now be able to leave on a free transfer and pursue regular football elsewhere.
Having made 78 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, once considered a reliable deputy, Bain gradually fell down the pecking order following the arrivals of Joe Hart and more recently Kasper Schmeichel. With Viljami Sinisalo now also ahead of him, opportunities at first-team level have been virtually non-existent.
His departure signals the end of an era for a player who featured in title-winning squads and domestic cup runs, though he rarely held the number one spot for an extended period.
The goalkeeper position has been reshaped in recent seasons, with Schmeichel now firmly established as Brendan Rodgers’ preferred choice and Sinisalo offering more than just strong back-up — arguably performing at the same level as Schmeichel.
Celtic are already planning Bain’s replacement. The Hoops are expected to sign former Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan on a free transfer. Doohan, a product of Celtic’s academy, is seen as a cost-effective and dependable addition to the squad.
While Bain’s exit comes as no surprise given his limited role in recent seasons, it clears the way for a refreshed goalkeeping department heading into the 2025/26 campaign. Bain’s professionalism throughout his time at Celtic has never been in question, and he leaves with the best wishes of the club.
