Benji Siegrist will challenge Joe Hart for Celtic number one spot insists former coach
BENJI SIEGRIST will arrive at Celtic convinced that he can oust Joe Hart to become the club’s No 1.
Ex-Hoops coach and Dundee United No 2 Stevie Frail — who worked with him at Tannadice — says the Swiss star will arrive brimming with belief.
Siegrist became the champions’ latest summer capture — just as SunSport revealed he would last week.
Ange Postecoglou had been intent on bringing in another experienced goalie to back up ex-England ace Hart and Scott Bain after the exit of £4.5million flop Vasilis Barkas.
Frail, who was right-hand man to Micky Mellon at United, rates Siegrist as a brilliant capture for the Hoops as they chase more glory.
He said: “Benji’s a top keeper and a great boy.
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“I’m delighted to see him join Celtic because of the person he is, and especially how hard he’s worked for this kind of fantastic opportunity.
“Benji will go there with the mentality he’s good enough to play for Celtic — and I think that’s precisely the attitude you need if you’re going to a club of that magnitude.
“He’s got the desire to play at the highest level possible.
“His target will be to get the jersey. He will push Joe Hart all the way to be No 1.
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“Hart is an excellent keeper with a tremendous pedigree and someone like Benji — a really good professional — could well push him to perform at an even greater level.
“That, of course, would only benefit Celtic, while there’s also another good keeper there in Scott Bain. Benji’s been in Scotland long enough. He’ll know the history and size of Celtic. And he’s still only 30.
“He won’t be satisfied with being a back-up goalie there, I’m sure that Siegrist will stake his claim to be first choice for Ange Postecoglou.
“For Dundee United, certainly the season I was there, Benji had a really good temperament. The job that Micky Mellon did in keeping United in the Premiership was excellent — and a lot of that was down to the performances of Siegrist in goal.
“He’s a really good type to have at a club. He’s a nice lad and totally focused on being the best he can be.
“Benji’s approachable, and from the first minute I started working with him I immediately realised he was a great team player. I really enjoyed coaching him at Tannadice.
“Micky and I never had issues with any of the players in our time at United, but Siegrist’s professionalism was always evident.
“He worked very well with the goalkeeping coach Neil Alexander and I know he also enjoyed their time together at the club. I liked watching the goalies work.
“Benji’s demonstrated so many times he’s a brilliant shot-stopper. But he does the basics very well while he’s a good athlete and has a big presence.
“He won us a lot of points and I think that’s vital. Those types of keepers will always gain attention.
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“It was no surprise to me Celtic were very keen to get a deal done. For a free transfer, it’s a no-brainer for me.
“Normally, someone of Benji’s calibre would cost a few million — so it’s great business for Celtic to secure his signing.
“There were so many times at United when I’d see him produce a stunning save, either getting a hand to a header or shot or a little nick with either foot which kept the ball out of the net. He can make the spectacular saves — but he also delivers the so-called bread and butter stuff.
“I saw him as a calming figure for the defence and inspirational for the team as a whole.”
Frail accepts, though, it will be a totally different ball game for Siegrist with the title holders.
He added: “The concentration levels for a Celtic keeper have to be even greater because generally they are not as busy as most others in the league.
“So for Siegrist he would have to be fully focused — ready for that need to make a save after long spells of inactivity.
“But he’s a very good goalkeeper and I would have no fears for him on that score. The way Postecoglou likes Celtic to play means the keepers have to be good with their feet.
“We saw last season how effective Joe Hart was in starting play, among his many other attributes. So that would be expected of Benji also. The most important thing is he’s good with his hands, but he’s also decent with his feet.
“Siegrist would certainly be more involved that way than he was at United. I’m sure, though, he’d quickly adjust.”
One other big plus factor for Siegrist in moving to the champions will be the chance to work daily with leading specialist coach Stevie Woods whose track record speaks for itself, boosting the likes of Artur Boruc, Fraser Forster, Craig Gordon and Hart at the Hoops.
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Frail said: “I know Stevie Woods well, a good man and a top coach. Benji will definitely benefit from his expertise.
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“He was lucky also to work with Neil Alexander at Tannadice. He brought him on — and Woods can be just as big an influence.”
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