Ugurcan Cakir was one of Galatasaray’s heroes from their Champions League first leg against Liverpool.
But things could’ve gone differently for the goalkeeper, who was once a key target for Brendan Rodgers and Celtic.
Cakir made seven saves in the Champions League win on Tuesday, including five from inside the box.
But just two years ago, he was one of the early candidates to be Joe Hart’s successor at Celtic as the big man prepared to retire.
You have £10m to spend on a new goalkeeper to replace Kasper Schmeichel…
Who do you pick?
Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel during the William Hill Premiership match between Heart of Midlothian and Celtic
Credit: Getty Images/Malcolm Mackenzie
Celtic’s interest in Galatasaray hero Ugurcan Cakir
In February 2024, it first emerged via Gunebakis in Turkey that then-Trabzonspor man Cakir was a “primary target” for Celtic.
Club scouts had travelled to watch the goalkeeper, and the Hoops had learned the conditions of the deal.
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Trabzonspor v Galatasaray - Turkish Super League
Photo by Seskim Photo/MB Media/Getty Images
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Two months later, Takagazete, in a detailed report, said that Michael Nicholson had officially registered Celtic’s interest in an email to Trabzonspor.
The report also said that a Zoom meeting between Cakir and Rodgers had been arranged, with the Hoops making an opening bid of £7.5 million.
Celtic weren’t alone in the pursuit of the then-28-year-old, however, and a gap in valuations eventually led the club to move on to the more immediate and cost-effective Kasper Schmeichel.
Cakir resisted interest from Glasgow and the Middle East to remain at Trabzonspor for one further season, which saw them finish 7th in Turkey.
Then, last summer, Galatasaray signed him for the eye-opening fee of £24 million.
If that fee seems inflated, it’s because it is. Squad rules in Turkey increase the demand for Turkish players; each 28-man squad list must include at least 14 Turkish players.
If he can help Gala pull through to win the tie at Anfield, Cakir will be going a long way to repaying that fee.
Is Brendan Rodgers a Celtic legend?
Brendan Rodgers celebrating Trophy Day as Celtic drew with St Mirren FC at Parkhead
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Other players targeted by Celtic in summer 2024
As the Hoops chased midfield reinforcements after the sale of Matt O’Riley, a host of targets were chased.
These included Mateusz Bogusz, Alvyn Sanches and Charles Pickel. In the end, Arne Engels and Luke McCowan were signed.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha was targeted, but wouldn’t complete his move to Glasgow until fully a year later. So far, he hasn’t been worth the wait.
Chris Mepham, Flavius Daniliuc and Dara O’Shea were pursued as defenders before the eventual arrival of Auston Trusty.
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