Celtic's Fraser Forster has hopes of playing in the Premier League

08 March 2013 09:09
Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster is keen to play in the Premier League but insists he will only move if he is guaranteed regular first-team football.

The 24-year-old has impressed with his performances for Celtic, playing a key role in their successful UEFA Champions League run this season, to prompt speculation he could move south of the border in the summer. Forster arrived at Parkhead on a permanent deal last August after spending two seasons on loan in Glasgow from boyhood club Newcastle, where he did not make a first-team appearance. The 6 ft 7 inch keeper, who is contracted at Celtic until 2016, says he would not settle for sitting on the bench should he return to English football.

"With the quality of the players we've got in the squad, a lot of them will move on at some stage and I'm no different," he told The Times.

"I've always wanted to play in the Premier League and hopefully I'll get the chance to do that.

"For me, I need to be playing. I'd be a nightmare as a No.2 goalkeeper because I want to play so much. It's important that I'm a No.1 and I won't be leaving to go and sit on a bench somewhere."

Forster admits it is difficult for goalkeepers to get a chance in the Premier League but knows one move can trigger a domino effect.

"It's tough for goalkeepers as there are only 20 in the Premier League and some of those clubs have great keepers as well," he said.

"Some years you find that a few goalkeepers move on and that can start off a chain reaction. But other years not a single keeper moves and nothing opens up."Interest Forster added:

"For me, it's all about performing as well as I can for Celtic and hoping people are watching, so that when the summer comes, or whenever I want to leave, someone will take me.

"If you're playing well for your club, then there's likely to be some interest, particularly after the season we've had in the Champions League."

Forster is also keen to boost his international chances after earning two recent call-ups to the England squad as cover to Roy Hodgson's first-choice keeper, Joe Hart.

"I want to stay in the England squad and push Joe as much as I can for that No.1 spot," he added.

"I want to push him all the way. As a kid growing up, you always want to be No.1 and that hasn't changed. My long-term ambition is to be England's No.1. It might take a few years, it might take ten years, but I'll keep on working as hard as I can to achieve that goal.

"I was delighted to get into my first England squad, but once you've had a taste, it's where you want to stay."

Source: team_talk