“The phone call with my agent lasted two minutes,” Ross Doohan | OneFootball

New Celtic signing Ross Doohan has revealed that returning to Celtic fulfilled a long-held ambition, after working hard to make his mark at the club during the early years of his career…

Ross Doohan of Tranmere Rovers in action during the Sky Bet League Two between Northampton Town and Tranmere Rovers at Sixfields on December 03, 2022 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

Doohan began his journey with Celtic as a youngster, progressing through the Hoops academy ranks before making a permanent move to Tranmere Rovers in 2022.

Since leaving the Scottish champions, Doohan has had spells with Forest Green Rovers and most recently Aberdeen, and now he comes back to Celtic as a more experienced and developed keeper, set to provide depth alongside Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo.

Ross Doohan of Tranmere Rovers gestures during the Papa John’s Trophy match between Tranmere Rovers and Leeds United U21 at Prenton Park on September 14, 2021 in Birkenhead, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

Speaking at Celtic Park to Celtic TV on Wednesday afternoon, Doohan said: “The phone call with my agent lasted two minutes I’d say, just general chat for a minute. Then he just asked the question, would I be interested in coming back? I think I answered yeah before he even finished the question. So that’s how it really came about and as soon as I heard that I was just eager to get it done as soon as possible.”

Ross Doohan of Tranmere Rovers in action during the Sky Bet League Two match between Northampton Town and Tranmere Rovers at Sixfields on March 05, 2022 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

“I feel like I grew up here basically. I had been here since I was 12, 13 up until I left a few years ago. I grew up here, moved school for the club, and went full time at the club. I’ve really spent most of my life at the club, so I’ve got a major attachment here.”

Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan during the Scottish Premiership match between Hearts and Aberdeen at Tynecastle Park on 1 December 2024. Photo:Malcolm Mackenzie PSI

“Coming back was always the dream, to come back here and play and be part of the club again. I knew at the time that when I left, it was probably the right thing to do to go out and get some game time, get more experience and even mature as an individual. I feel I’ve matured a lot, both on and off the pitch. I’ve got a lot more experience, and I feel my all-around game has gotten better, so I’m just looking forward to getting in and working and showing everyone that.”

Some may argue that Doohan has sacrificed the opportunity for more consistent game time elsewhere by settling for a third-choice role at the club following the departure of Scott Bain.

Schmeichel is set to remain Celtic’s first-choice goalkeeper, with Rodgers openly expressing towards the end of last season his hopes that Sinisalo will eventually step up as the veteran Dane’s long-term replacement. However, Doohan is confident in his ability to challenge for a place and prove himself to the coaching staff and manager.

Doohan added: “It’s going to be difficult. There are two top goalkeepers at the club already, and I’m buzzing to be working with them, buzzing to be working with Woodsy again because I know he’s a top goalkeeper coach.”

24th May 2025; Hampden Park, Scottish Cup Football Final, Aberdeen versus Celtic; RossDoohan of Aberdeen chats to Shaun Maloney ActionPlus Vagelis Georgariou

“The whole goalkeeping department’s great, so I’m just looking to go in there, work as hard as I can, put my face out there, and I’m hoping to push myself into the team. I know it’ll be hard, but I’m just going to work as hard as I can to get in there.”

Scotland 08/06/2025. Press and training Ross Doohan during the Scotland National Team training session before travelling to Liechtenstein, photo Colin Poultney PSI

“I back myself so I know I’ve got the foot in the door now so I just need to go to training and work as hard as I can and show everyone what I can do, because they’ve not seen me in training for a few years since I’ve left. “I need to go and show them what I’m like now and really push myself and try and knock on the door to get in the team.”

Conor Spence

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