James McFadden slams player on Celtic’s transfer wishlist after Euro 2024 display

They say don’t buy a player off the back of a strong performance at a major tournament, but how about the other way around?

Celtic are preparing for a second season under Brendan Rodgers after winning the double upon his return to the club.

The summer transfer window is open and Celtic fans are eagerly awaiting to see who comes through their doors, but they might have to wait until after Euro 2024 for the big moves.

Celtic have several of their star names performing on the big stage, but there are also some who they are hoping to sign.

Joe Hart has retired and he has left a huge hole in the goalkeeping department. The Englishman was an outstanding servant during his years at Parkhead.

Several goalkeepers have been tipped to fill his shoes, including Real Madrid’s Champions League-winning star and sought-after player, Andriy Lunin.

The 25-year-old started Ukraine’s shock 3-0 defeat to Romania on Monday and two of the goals were his fault.

James McFadden and Guy Mowbray were critical of the Celtic transfer target (Daily Record) and how there is ‘no hiding place’ for the mistakes he made, as they told Match of the Day on BBC One.

The former Scotland international highlighted Lunin’s poor pass that led to the opening goal and how he had ‘no room to fix it’ because of the stunning long-range effort that followed.

Before BBC commentator Mowbray added that the Real Madrid star ‘had to save’ Romania’s second goal because it crept under his body.

Andriy Lunin’s goalkeeping mistakes as Ukraine beaten by Romania

“What an outstanding goal, a tremendous finish, yes, it comes from a mistake from Lunin, but it’s when Romania decide that they are going to press,” said McFadden. “Marin lets himself away. Presses the ball. Forcing that mistake. It is a goalkeeping error, but it’s just an outstanding finish. Once he made that mistake, there is no room for Lunin to fix it because of how good the strike was.”

Mowbray added: “Another goalkeeping error (Romania’s second goal). I am not sure Lunin has any hiding place here either because it was hit from distance from Razvan Marin and seemed to creep under Lunin and into the net. He has to save that.”

McFadden then claimed: “The same initial reaction as yourself. Maybe the fact that he hits it early. It is a good strike, but it looked to me like Lunin could get there – maybe taken his eye off it and thinking of what to do next rather than just dealing with it.”

Should Celtic sign Andriy Lunin?

Those mistakes from Lunin probably have helped Celtic out, if they do push to sign him this summer, because it’s not going to increase his transfer value.

It wasn’t so long ago that he was playing in goal for Madrid and helping them to the La Liga title and then Champions League glory, before Thibaut Courtois returned from injury.

Given Lunin’s age and experience, then this is a deal Celtic should push for, but the possible transfer fee could be a sticking point.

If it means paying over the odds, then they should walk away because you would rather use that money on an outfield player.