Celtic Identify This 27-Year-Old Keeper As A Summer Target: Why He Could Become Schmeichel’s Successor At Parkhead

Celtic Identify This 27-Year-Old Keeper As A Summer Target: Why He Could Become Schmeichel’s Successor At Parkhead If a recent report from Spain (as quoted by The Daily Record) is believed to be true, Celtic are keeping close tabs on Dinko Horkas ahead of a potential summer swoop. But they are not alone in the hunt, with Olympiacos and Sevilla also keen on having the Las Palmas goalkeeper in their ranks. The 27-year-old former Croatian youth international progressed through Segesta and Dinamo Zagreb’s youth set-ups back in his homeland. Soon, he secured a regular role for the latter’s reserves in the second division, and was eventually loaned out to Bosnian top-flight outfit Zrinjski Mostar for senior football. The custodian then returned to Croatia on loan with Varaždin but plied his trade in Bosnia again, joining Posušje for the second half of the 2021-22 season. Emergence In Spanish Football However, Horkas never failed to secure senior status at Dinamo Zagreb, as they allowed him to join the Bulgarian side Lokomotiv Plovdiv ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. After a couple of impressive years, the shot-stopper secured a switch to La Liga with Las Palmas and was handed the ‘number 1’ status since April 2025. BILBAO, SPAIN – APRIL 23: Inaki Williams of Athletic Club scores his team’s first goal past Dinko Horkas of UD Las Palmas during the LaLiga match between Athletic Club and UD Las Palmas at Estadio de San Mames on April 23, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) Although Los Amarillos suffered relegation, Horkas continued to feature between the sticks throughout the 2025-26 season. They narrowly missed out on an immediate promotion, but his command in goal caught the eyes of the Celtic scouts. He featured 43 times last season in the Segunda División, and the Spanish club, who have him tied down at Estadio Gran Canaria till the summer of 2028, would demand a fee in the region of £6m from his suitors. Why Celtic Should Bring Him In As Schmeichel’s Successor The Hoops are assessing the market following Kasper Schmeichel’s retirement and have shortlisted younger alternatives, including Nikolas Polster, Aleksander Bobek and Tjark Ernst. The management opted for experience between the sticks in the recent past, having roped in the veteran Dane as Joe Hart’s successor, but have now changed their strategy, aiming for younger alternatives who would bring long-term stability rather than a short-term fix. Celtic currently have Viljami Sinisalo and Ross Doohan among their goalkeeping options. Sinisalo stepped in and delivered following Schemiechel’s injury, as the Finnish ace helped them conquer the ‘domestic double’ with a strong display in the last line of defence. Doohan, on the other hand, has not been involved at all since returning to his boyhood club last summer, and Horkas, hailed for his explosive reflexes, shot-stopping ability, and commanding vocal presence, would challenge for the starting spot if the Bhoys pursue a deal for the Croatian.