Celtic favourites to land Liverpool keeper after Hart retirement call

Experienced stopper Hart, 36, will remain Celtic No1 until the end of the season but will then retire from professional football.

In a surprise announcement, Hart explained on Thursday: "I wanted to get the message out as of June I am going to stop playing football. This is something that I have thought about for a while, there's no right or wrong time is there?

"There is obviously a conversation around the goalkeeping position for next season and I think it's really important that with the blessing of the club we get the message out and it takes one thing out of what people are going to speculate over."

That leaves Brendan Rodgers with Benjamin Siegrist and Scott Bain as goalkeeping options after Hart retires.

And it's expected Rodgers would look to sign a new first-choice keeper with Liverpool goalkeeper Kelleher a possible candidate.

READ MORE: What is Joe Hart's Celtic legacy as he calls time on career?

The goalkeeper, 25, had previously been linked with a move to Celtic Park amid growing speculation in the summer with Rodgers credited with an active transfer interest.

It was previously reported Kelleher - a regular member of the Ireland national team squad - would be interested in becoming Celtic No1 for years to come.

However, transfer interest in the summer from Premier League clubs was reportedly knocked back over fears Alisson could leave Liverpool.

Kelleher is under contract at Anfield until 2026, but Gambling.com have made Celtic favourites to land the goalkeeper should he move on this summer.

The website puts a 50 percent chance probability on Kelleher arriving at Celtic at the end of the season with Wolves, Bournemouth and Sheffield United alternative options in the odds list.

Caoimhin Kelleher next club odds

Celtic Evens

Wolves 6/4

Bournemouth 5/2

Sheffield United 3/1

Brighton 4/1

Brentford 4/1

Nottingham Forest 7/1

Leicester City 10/1