Celtic Are Now Interested In 24-Year-Old Goalkeeper: Why Should The Hoops Walk Away? | OneFootball

Celtic have entered the conversation for Wolfsberger AC goalkeeper Nikolas Polster, according to a report from the Daily Record, relayed by a transfer feed. The Scottish champions have tracked the Austrian as they continue assessing their options after Kasper Schmeichel’s retirement, though Wolfsberger remain determined to keep hold of one of their biggest assets.

Celtic make smart call after fresh goalkeeper claim

Time is beginning to work against the Austrian side. Polster has entered the final year of his contract, leaving the club with an increasingly difficult decision if fresh terms aren’t agreed. They still hope the 24-year-old commits his future, yet growing attention from clubs outside Austria has complicated those plans.

His rise hasn’t come from hype alone. During the 2025/26 Austrian Bundesliga campaign, Polster featured in 28 league matches, clocked 2,610 minutes and collected seven clean sheets. Those numbers placed him among the league’s standout young goalkeepers, while his displays earned wider recognition across Europe. He has already represented Austria Under-21s on 17 occasions and even came close to making Ralf Rangnick’s senior 2026 FIFA World Cup squad before missing the final cut as the fourth-choice goalkeeper.

There’s another twist. Reports indicate Hertha Berlin have stepped up discussions over a transfer, with the German side advancing talks while Polster continues to push for a move abroad. That development appears to have reduced Celtic’s interest, leaving Martin O’Neill and the recruitment department free to consider different solutions for the crucial number-one position.

T4O take: Why Celtic should turn elsewhere

LUTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Nikolas Polster of Austria kicks the ball upfield during the U21 international friendly match between England and Austria at Kenilworth Road on September 09, 2024 in Luton, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Polster has enjoyed an excellent year. Nobody can argue with that.

Still, Celtic‘s current situation demands something very different from another promising goalkeeper with room to improve. Schmeichel leaves behind far more than a starting place. He leaves leadership, authority and the calm presence required during Champions League nights and pressure-filled Old Firm clashes. That’s a demanding role for any newcomer, especially one who has spent his entire professional career in Austria.

Experience matters here. Goalkeepers don’t simply adapt because they possess strong reflexes or impressive statistics. Glasgow places enormous scrutiny on every mistake, and supporters expect immediate reliability. Polster may well become an outstanding goalkeeper, yet asking him to carry those expectations from day one feels unfair.

Squad balance creates another obstacle. Viljami Sinisalo already occupies the long-term development pathway inside O’Neill’s squad. Handing minutes to another young goalkeeper would only complicate matters while limiting opportunities for both players. Celtic gain little from creating uncertainty in a position where clarity should remain the priority.

Hertha Berlin’s growing interest changes the picture again. Polster reportedly wants regular first-team football abroad, and that route appears much easier in Germany than at Parkhead if Celtic recruit an experienced starter before the transfer window closes. Chasing a player without offering a clear route to the first team rarely ends well.

We believe Celtic should cool their interest. Polster’s 2025/26 campaign deserves respect, and seven league clean sheets across 28 appearances show why clubs have taken notice. Even so, recruitment should answer immediate problems instead of creating fresh ones. Sinisalo already provides a talented young option, while the squad still lacks an established goalkeeper capable of walking straight into one of the biggest jobs in Scottish football. Polster looks ready for a move abroad, yet this doesn’t feel like the right destination or the right moment.