Celtic tried to re-sign goalkeeper Scott Bain just months after he left the club, according to former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie. The claim follows Bain's standout display in Falkirk's 2-0 victory over the Scottish champions last weekend.
McAvennie reveals Celtic bid
Speaking on the 'Let Me Be Frank' podcast alongside journalist Simon Houston, McAvennie said he was told by a director at Falkirk that Celtic made an offer to bring Bain back to Parkhead. The 34-year-old, capped four times by Scotland, had left Celtic in the summer.
Houston quipped about Bain's performance, saying: "On Falkirk, their goalkeeper looked right good. I wonder if Celtic could get their hands on that guy." McAvennie responded: "That's embarrassing. I was told by a director at Falkirk that Celtic tried to make an offer for him. Celtic came in to take him back."
When Houston asked if this happened when the transfer window closed, McAvennie said: "A couple of months ago. Just at the start of the season, they came in, so I don't know why all this was."
Bain stars against former club
Bain made nine saves in total against Celtic at the Falkirk Stadium on Sunday, keeping a clean sheet as Falkirk defeated the champions 2-0. He has once again been included in the Scotland squad.
Following Kasper Schmeichel's retirement, Celtic secured a loan deal for England international Sam Johnstone, providing additional competition for Viljami Sinisalo and third-choice keeper Ross Doohan.
Houston speculated on why Bain might have declined a return, saying: "I wonder why he wouldn't go back. He maybe didn't fancy another seven years on the subs bench. He had a really good game."
McAvennie added: "The problem with Bain. The problem with keepers is that, unfortunately, he would be great in our side because he is kept busy. Unfortunately, a lot of the Celtic keepers, they aren't busy, and that's what makes them special, because they have to keep on it and they have to keep alive. Sometimes, for 70-80 minutes, they have nothing to do, and then all of a sudden, they have to get called on. That's, unfortunately, where Bain fell down, and people like him. But I think Sinisalo is better than Johnstone."
