Celtic manager Neil Lennon has heaped praised on Fraser Forster’s display in the Scottish League Cup final against Rangers on Sunday. The England international has been the regular between the sticks for the Hoops since his season-long loan move from Southampton last summer and he has proved his worth with a number of top-notch displays.

On Sunday, the experienced shot-stopper came up against a Rangers side, which flourished on the attack but he managed to keep out the threat for the entire 90 minutes. The 31-year-old made a single-handed save to deny Ryan Kent early on in the game and he thereafter made a string of blocks to deny Alfredo Morelos.

In the second half, Rangers had the chance to score from the penalty shot after Christopher Jullien’s opener for the Hoops but they were once again denied with Forster keeping out the spotkick down the line from Morelos. Following the game, Lennon was asked about the prospects of Celtic signing the keeper on a permanent deal to which he replied: “It’s about affordability. That’s something we can talk about. I’ll talk to the player but first, we have to make the call to Southampton and I’ll need to speak to (chief executive) Peter Lawwell about that.”

Meanwhile, Forster has not made a single appearance for the national team since 2017 but Lennon believes Gareth Southgate should at least consider the goalkeeper for the squad, given he has matured into a more consistent goalkeeper, he added: “I think he’s better now than he was before and I certainly think (England manager) Gareth Southgate should have a look at him. He’s been unbelievable. He’s more mature.”

Celtic are scheduled to face Cluj in their final group stage game of the Europa League on Thursday night and they have the opportunity to register a fifth European victory on the bounce. Lennon will, however, make multiple changes to the team, considering the club have already progressed to the next round of the competition with the top spot.