Timo Hildebrand could be on his way to Celtic, after the German keeper revealed the SPL club's interest in him. Pic: ©SNS Group
Celtic have moved a step closer to replacing Artur Boruc by expressing an interest in German goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand. The 31-year-old keeper is available on a free transfer, having left Bundesliga club Hoffenheim at the end of last season.
Hildebrand, who spent 12 years with Stuttgart before an 18-month spell with Valencia, was Hoffenheim’s first choice keeper last campaign as they finished 11th in their second season in the German top flight.
The German international was allowed to walk away at the end of his contract with the ambitious side at the end of the season. But Hildebrand has not let up in his pursuit of a new club, training daily with Eintracht Frankfurt’s goalkeeping coach to be fit enough to play immediately.
Now, according to the player himself, Celtic appear to be front-runners for his signature and the seven-times capped Hildebrand says he is tempted by the prospect of becoming the Hoops’ eighth summer signing.
“The interest from Celtic is there,” Hildebrand told Bild. “It is very interesting for me.”
Hildebrand set a Bundesliga record in 2003/04 by going 884 minutes without conceding a goal, beating the previous best set by former Bayern Munich and Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.
Lukasz Zaluska and Dominic Cervi are currently vying for the number one jersey, with Zaluska starting the 3-0 defeat to Braga in the Champions League third qualifying round on Wednesday night.
Former first choice Boruc left for Fiorentina this summer after five years in Glasgow, leaving new Celtic boss Neil Lennon with a gap to fill in the goalkeeping position.
England number one David James was one name linked with taking up the gloves but the former Portsmouth and Liverpool keeper postponed talks planned for earlier in the week.
