Hildebrand Reveals Celtic interest.

[Keano]

http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...286025,00.html

Former Germany international Timo Hildebrand has claimed he has had an approach from Celtic and admits he is seriously considering a move to Scotland. The 31-year-old is currently out of contract after his deal with Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim was not extended this summer and he is therefore free to join any club. And he could soon link up again with his former team-mate from both Stuttgart and Germany days, Andreas Hinkel, in Glasgow.

"Celtic are interested and that is very interesting for me," he revealed to Germany's Bild newspaper.

The Scottish club are on the lookout for an experienced new goalkeeper after selling Artur Boruc to Fiorentina this summer and Hildebrand, who also spent two years with Valencia, would fit the bill. He rose to fame as part of the Stuttgart team which clinched the Bundesliga title in 2007, but experienced a difficult 18 months in Spain where, largely for political reasons, he failed to hold down the number one jersey.

Hildebrand returned to Germany in January last year, joining Hoffenheim, however he fell short of making the required number of appearances to earn him a new contract, leaving him without a club for next season.
And the Bhoys appear to have turned to him as negotiations with England goalkeeper David James appear to be stalling.

David James off to Bristol City apparently - thank God.

Hildebrand had the raw talent to become a brilliant 'keeper at international level, just not the mentality - coupled with bad career choices. Would be a fantastic signing though, definitely.

[Obri]

The search for a quality keeper is gathering momentum, thankfully it's becoming clear that Lennon shares many fans' opinion of Zaluska, that he's decent, but in no way should be our first choice.

[Celticrugby]

Get him or Stipe IMO.

Lennon cools Hildebrand talk

Celtic boss in the market for a new keeper

Neil Lennon says he has not spoken to German goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand regarding a potential move to Celtic.

Hildebrand is currently a free agent after leaving Hoffenheim and he has claimed there has been interest from the Bhoys.

Celtic boss Lennon is in the market for a new keeper after seeing Artur Boruc join Fiorentina and David James opt for a move to Bristol City.


However, Lennon has played down any suggestions that former Stuttgart keeper Hildebrand is on his way to Parkhead.

"There have been no talks as far as I'm concerned," said Lennon.

Croatia international Stipe Pletikosa has also been linked with the Bhoys and Lennon admits he is trying to bring in another shot-stopper.

He added: "We've only got one sort of consistent goalkeeper in (Lukasz) Zaluska and we need to get another one in.

"We lost a superb goalkeeper in Boruc so it's imperative that we replace him, and the quicker the better."