Nick Pope is being monitored by Europa League side along with two other Premier League goalkeepers
Newcastle United's goalkeeper Nick Pope is enjoying a fine start to the new season, likely spurred on by the fact he now has Aaron Ramsdale breathing down his neck.
Some players tend to perform better when they know they have strong competition for their place in the team, and that seems to be the case for Pope, who has kept five clean sheets in seven Premier League games this season.
His performances clearly haven't gone unnoticed, as Pope has found himself on a three-man shortlist of potential targets for Scottish champions, Celtic.
It seems faith in Kasper Schmeichel is dwindling at the Hoops are assessing their options.
Celtic want Newcastle's Nick Pope
As reported by 67 Hail Hail, Celtic are monitoring Pope, Stefan Ortega and Illan Meslier as potential January targets if their goalkeeper situation doesn't improve.
However, journalist Graeme Bailey believes that of the targets Celtic have in their sights, Nick Pope would be the most unlikely to move.
Nick Pope's contract is due to expire in the summer, but his form this season is very likely to earn him an extension, and as such, it's very unlikely that letting him leave would be on Newcastle's to-do list right now.
If Newcastle had signed James Trafford, then Nick Pope would be more expendable
Had James Trafford joined Newcastle as we expected in the summer, things may be different, but Aaron Ramsdale is only at Newcastle on loan from Southampton, so letting our Number 1 leave wouldn't be the wisest of moves.
Pope has shown this season that he still has what it takes to be a top-class shot stopper, but of course, the problem with Pope has never been his ability to keep the ball out of the net, but his distribution and the sheer white-knuckle fear he instils when the ball is at his feet.
We don't see Pope heading north of the border any time soon.
