It seems that Celtic failed to be bold and ambitious when it comes to goalkeeping recruitment.
As Fenerbahçe signed Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livaković for a modest £5.7 million, plus £700k in performance-related add-ons, one can’t help but wonder: why weren’t Celtic more aggressive? A top-tier goalkeeper has been a missing piece in the Celtic puzzle for some time, and the missed opportunity to acquire Livaković is a glaring oversight.
When we dissect the £5.7 million figure, even with the £700k add-ons, it’s apparent that this is a sum well within Celtic’s reach. Teams competing in Europe, especially a club like Celtic, need a formidable presence between the sticks. Considering the impact that a strong goalkeeper can have, not just by saving goals but by organising the defence and inspiring confidence, this deal appears to be a bargain. It’s disappointing that Celtic did not even make an official approach for a player who could have been a cornerstone for the squad.
Dominik Livaković is no ordinary goalkeeper. At 28, he is entering the prime years for a player in his position. His recent performances for Dinamo Zagreb and the Croatian national team have been terrific. A shot-stopper with excellent reflexes, Livaković also boasts strong distribution skills—a critical trait in modern football where building from the back fits how Rodgers wants his team to play. In simple terms, he’s a game-changer, and at such a reasonable price, a move for Livaković would have been more than justified.
The saying, “If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backwards,” rings true here. The football landscape is highly competitive, and missed opportunities like these can spell the difference between success and stagnation.
In the age of skyrocketing transfer fees, finding value in the market is not just smart—it’s essential for long-term planning. A goalkeeper of Livaković’s calibre could have provided stability for years to come. Now, the club will either have to settle for a less-than-ideal option or splurge a potentially much higher sum on a comparable talent, which might not even be available.
Football is a game of fine margins, and the best clubs are those that can identify and seize opportunities when they present themselves. Fenerbahçe did exactly that by capturing Dominik Livaković for a fee that can only be considered a bargain in today’s inflated market. Meanwhile, Celtic’s inaction speaks volumes about their lack of ambition in a crucial area of need. One can only hope that this missed opportunity serves as a wake-up call for the club to be more proactive and decisive in the future.
