Dinko Horkas Added to Celtic Transfer Shortlist

Celtic’s search for a new goalkeeper has led them to Las Palmas number one Dinko Horkas.

The Hoops are expected to bring in another option between the posts this summer after Kasper Schmeichel’s retirement, and Horkas now appears to be one of the names being looked at.

TCW report that Celtic have added the Croatian goalkeeper to their shortlist, with scouts said to have watched him during Las Palmas’ recent La Liga play-off tie with Malaga.

🚨 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: Celtic are reportedly interested in Las Palmas goalkeeper Dinko Horkaš as they search for a replacement for the retired Kasper Schmeichel.

Olympiacos and Sevilla are also said to be interested in the Croatian shot-stopper.

[@Record_Sport] https://t.co/mHcBFXYwSn pic.twitter.com/L4GhhbXFBP

— Croatian Football  (@CroatiaFooty) July 1, 2026

Watching a player in a play-off tie gives scouts a better look at how he handles pressure, how he deals with a tense game, and how he manages his box when the stakes are high.

Horkas played 43 times for Las Palmas last season and kept 14 clean sheets in La Liga 2. That is a strong return across a full campaign and shows he was not just a squad option. He was trusted as the club’s first-choice keeper.

He also has some La Liga experience from the previous campaign, having played 13 times in the Spanish top flight after joining Las Palmas. His route has not been straightforward, but he has built his career through regular football rather than sitting as a back-up at a bigger club.

The 27-year-old came through at Dinamo Zagreb but never made a senior appearance there. He later played in Croatia, Bosnia and Bulgaria before joining Las Palmas from Lokomotiv Plovdiv in 2024. During his time in Bulgaria, he was named goalkeeper of the year for the 2022/23 season.

That background is worth noting. Celtic have had success before with players who have taken a less obvious route and developed later. Horkas is not a teenage prospect, but goalkeepers often peak later than outfield players, and at 27 he should still have good years ahead of him.

A deal would not be easy. Horkas is under contract with Las Palmas until 2028, so the Spanish club are in no rush to sell. Reports in Spain have also said three La Liga clubs remain interested, which could make the race harder if Celtic decide to move.

There is another issue too. Las Palmas president Miguel Angel Ramírez has already made it clear that no official offer has arrived for Horkas, while also warning that some interested clubs have been speaking to the player without dealing properly with Las Palmas.

That tells Celtic what kind of deal this would be. Las Palmas value the player, have him tied down, and want any approach made through the club. This is not a situation where Celtic can expect a quick or cheap move.

For Celtic, the appeal is clear enough. Horkas is at a good age, has just finished a full season as a number one, and has experience of playing in different countries. He would arrive with more senior football behind him than a younger project signing, but without being a short-term option.

The question now is whether Celtic take it further. Having a player on a shortlist is one thing. Making a move is another.

With Viljami Sinisalo and Ross Doohan currently in the squad, Celtic need clarity over who will start the season in goal. If Horkas is high on the list, the club may need to act before Spanish interest becomes more serious.