Celtic’s £11m target shines in Champions League, Ancelotti calls him ‘outstanding’

It is no coincidence that, only a few hours after performing a more-than passable Thibaut Courtois impression on the biggest stage of all, reports emerged suggesting that Andriy Lunin could be in line for a new contract at Real Madrid. 

Few would argue he doesn’t deserve it. Not after the performance he put in during Tuesday’s nervy 1-0 Champions League knockout stage win away from home at RB Leipzig.

“(Andriy Lunin) was our hero tonight,” Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde says without too much exaggeration. “We are lucky to have such a talented goalkeeper.”

In a squad chock-full of world-leading talent, it was two of Real’s perhaps less-heralded men who played vital roles at either end at the Red Bull Arena, Brahim Diaz building upon the rock-solid foundations laid down by a virtuoso Lunin display while curling home the winner just after half-time.

Andry Lunin saves Real Madrid in Champions League

It could have ended in a draw, let’s be honest,” admits an honest Carlo Ancelotti, the Ukrainian making nine saves to Peter Gulacsi’s two and coming out on top in a scintillating duel with Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.

“This was Lunin’s best game since I met him.”

A few months ago, on the other side of Christmas, the door appeared open for Celtic to make a move for Lunin, the Scottish Premiership champions scouting the former Zorya Luhansk wonderkid with Joe Hart’s contract expiring at the end of the current campaign (Daily Record).

Lunin, at the time, was making no secret of his desire to play more regular first-team football, falling behind Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga in Ancelotti’s pecking order after Courtois was ruled out for the season with an ACL injury

Flash forward to February and, with Lunin producing the sort of performance Courtois made his trademark during Real Madrid’s stranglehold on the Champions League trophy, a door which looked ajar no so long ago might just have slammed in Celtic’s face.

Celtic need Joe Hart replacement

“He was brilliant,” Ancelotti adds, Real Madrid reportedly willing to increase Lunin’s wages substantially to convince him to stay put (Madrid Universal).

“He’s highly motivated and playing with real confidence. Playing helps him grow in confidence and he was outstanding today. He did a fantastic job in every respect.”

Celtic have already missed out on the likes of Hakon Valdimarsson and Horatiu Morutan since the turn of the year. The former joined Brentford while the latter followed Lunin to the Spanish capital with Atletico.