Celtic Eye Summer Move For This Veteran Newcastle United Custodian: Should He Replace Sinisalo As The Hoops ‘Number 1’? | OneFootball

If a recent report from The Daily Mail (as cited by The Daily Express) is believed to be true, Celtic are keeping close tabs on Nick Pope ahead of a potential summer move. But they are not alone in the race, with Premier League newcomers  Ipswich Town also eyeing a move for the Newcastle United goalkeeper.

The 34-year-old England international progressed through Ipswich Town’s academy ranks before leaving his boyhood side for non-league outfit Bury Town. Charlton secured his services in the summer of 2011; however, he was primarily loaned out to Harrow Borough, Welling United, Cambridge United, Aldershot Town, York City and Bury in the lower leagues to gain first-team experience. An impressive 2015-16 campaign for the Addicks in the Championship earned him a £1.1m transfer to then newly-promoted Premier League outfit Burnley.

After spending the first season as the understudy to Tom Heaton, Pope cemented a starting status between the sticks and went on to feature 155 times for the Clarets before securing a £10m switch to the Magpies in 2022. Despite being the preferred option in the last line of defence, the Three Lions veteran has struggled at times due to form and fitness reasons. Newcastle have splashed a combined fee of around £45m for Lukáš Horníček and Ewen Jaouen, respectively, from Braga and Reims, thus making him surplus to requirements under new boss Matthias Jaissle.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Nick Pope of Newcastle United punches the ball during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Why Celtic Should Bring Pope As Schmeichel’s Successor

Celtic have made an electrifying start to their Premiership title defence with back-to-back wins against Dundee and Kilmarnock. They have opted for quality over quantity, with Camilo Duran and Kasper Høgh being the only arrivals so far this window. Martin O’Neill has banked on Viljami Sinisalo since Kasper Schmeichel’s season-ending shoulder injury, which eventually forced the Dane to retire upon the closure of the previous campaign.

Although the Finnish shot-stopper has retained the ‘number 1’ spot, the Celts have opted for an experienced, established figure over a younger alternative in the recent past. Schmeichel was brought in as a like-for-like replacement for Joe Hart, and it remains to be seen whether they follow a similar strategy before the window is slammed shut.

Pope might prefer a return to his hometown club, but a move north of the border would see him contest for silverware rather than engage in a survival battle. Assured minutes in Europe should further fascinate him to ply his trade in Glasgow, as his expertise in goal could earn him the first-choice status for at least a couple of seasons ahead of Sinisalo.