Could KV Mechelen’s goalkeeper be Celtic’s choice to replace retiring Joe Hart?

Last summer there was plenty of chatter around Gaetan Coucke. The KV Mechelen goalkeeper was entering the final year of his contract and teams were trying to take him away from Belgium. One of those sides was Celtic, although a deal between the clubs never materialised. However, with the news that Joe Hart is set to retire, and that Coucke is yet to sign a new deal with Mechelen, is a move in the summer now back on the cards?

The 25-year-old has been linked with moves from the side ever since he became the sides number one option in goal. During his first season he was one of the best performing goalkeeper’s in the league, but since then he has struggled more. Yet in recent weeks under Besnik Hasi, his game has begun to improve once again as the side have turned their season around. In 26 games this season he has kept nine clean sheets and saved three of the four penalties he has faced.

During the sides 1-0 away win against defending champions Antwerp, Coucke had one of his best performances of the season. Alongside his three key saves he also made intelligent choices when coming for crosses, helping to relieve the pressure on his defenders as Antwerp tried to force an equaliser.

At 25, Coucke has plenty of time ahead of him to develop further as a goalkeeper. Clearly, with no transfer fee involved, a move to Celtic would be an easy choice for him to make. Either way, it is unlikely that he remains with KV Mechelen beyond this season, bringing to an end four years with the club.