Ross Doohan is on the verge of a return to Celtic, and he’s now in the frame to start for Scotland in tonight’s friendly away to Liechtenstein.
The 27-year-old, who came through the youth ranks at the Hoops, is expected to sign a pre-contract agreement to rejoin the club next month. With over 150 senior appearances under his belt and recent strong performances, Doohan’s stock has risen to the point where Steve Clarke turned to him in the national team’s hour of need.
Doohan had been away on a family break when the call came, but wasted no time making himself available for international duty. The timing of his recall couldn’t have been better — with Celtic poised to bring him back into the fold ahead of the new season, his profile continues to climb.
Clarke said: (the Scotsman), “Phone call. Are you available? Yes. Can you get a flight? Yes. And there he was, in the hotel.
“He’d been away with his family. It says everything, but a chance to join up with the national squad is not something you turn down, not in my book anyway.
“He’s got over 150 senior games. One of the things we were trying to find was somebody who’d trained pretty late into the season, so obviously Ross had been involved in the cup final not that long ago, so it’s not as if he’s going to be deconditioned or out of practice.”
Doohan’s impending return to the Hoops would add competition to a goalkeeping group that currently includes Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo. Celtic’s recruitment team appear to be planning ahead, with Doohan viewed as a solid and experienced option for the long term.
Doohan was let go by Celtic in 2022, but now he’s close to starting for Scotland and rejoining the club. It’s been a steady rise back, and his quick response to the national team call will be noticed at Lennoxtown.
As Brendan Rodgers prepares his squad for a demanding campaign, the return of a goalkeeper who knows the club inside out and is hungry for success could prove valuable. With Schmeichel turning 39 this year and question marks around the long-term shape of the position, Doohan’s arrival could be well timed.
If Doohan impresses against Liechtenstein tonight, it would show he’s ready to take his chance — whether that’s with Scotland or back at Celtic.
