Legendary goalkeeper Pat Bonner has sung the praises of Fraser Forster following his record-breaking clean sheet run for Celtic.
The former Republic of Ireland shotstopper, who appeared in two World Cups, has watched on admirably this season as Forster has helped the Glasgow giants to an impressive 24 league games unbeaten and collected his eleventh consecutive shut-out, against St Mirren on Sunday.
Bonner played 642 times for the Hoops between 1978 and 1995 and believes the improvement in England international Forster has been “dramatic” as he closes in on breaking the British and World clean sheet records.
He said: "What Fraser has achieved has been just incredible; it's a remarkable achievement and all credit to him.
Fraser Forster, pictured with Neymar, received plaudits for his Champions League performances
"Fraser has improved dramatically since he arrived at Celtic. I watched him when he first arrived here and he was a fairly young goalkeeper. People were asking questions about who this giant of a man was.
"There were times when he wasn't the quickest and he could be a little bit static but he's improved dramatically and I think credit must go to the goalkeeping coach Stevie Woods and what he's done with him.
“You can see how both of them have sat down and looked at his strengths and weaknesses and developed those weaknesses so much that now they are considered his strengths.
"I've spoken recently about how quick he is for a big goalkeeper. He gets into position quickly, and moves around the goal well and makes these incredible saves.”
Despite being knocked out of the Champions League, Celtic are runaway leaders at the top of the Scottish Premier League.
Bonner says achievements such as Forster’s give the whole club a reason to work extra hard on ensuring their feats continue.
“What Fraser has achieved has been just incredible.”
Pat Bonner Former Ireland and Celtic goalkeeper
He added: “I watched him against Hibernian and he produced an unbelievable save where he tipped the ball away with his unorthodox hand. It was a one-of-a-kind save.
"Looking back on the season, going out of Europe was a big blow to Neil Lennon, the club and to the players. They were in a very tough group this season but actually when you look at the games I think they had a few chances to progress.
“If you look at AC Milan away, or even at Ajax, then Celtic had opportunities. If you compare that to the year before where they had a lot of luck going their way, I think Fraser was central to that run last season when some of his saves kept the team in the competition.“
Speaking to the official Celtic Magazine, Bonner added: "Having gone out of Europe, I thought it would be difficult to keep this team motivated but by setting this goal of going unbeaten for as long as possible, and then, of course, records like the clean sheets, the team have continued to entertain the support."
Forster has the chance to extend his record a week on Sunday when St Johnstone visit Celtic Park in the SPL.
He will also be hoping his exploits have caught the attention of England Head Coach Roy Hodgson as he prepares to name his squad for the match with Denmark on Wednesday 5 March.
Tickets are still available for that game at Wembley Stadium - the Three Lions' first of 2014. For details click here.
