Celtic's Aidan Rice joins Caley Thistle on loan as they face goalkeeping challenges.
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Caley Thistle’s urgent need for a goalkeeper
In a swift move to address a critical gap in their squad, Caley Thistle has secured the services of young goalkeeper Aidan Rice from Celtic on an emergency loan. This decision comes in light of the international call-up of their first-choice goalkeeper, Musa Dibaga, who is currently representing Gambia in World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and Ivory Coast.
The absence of Dibaga left the Inverness club with only 17-year-old Szymon Rebilas available for their upcoming League One match against Alloa Athletic.
Collaboration with Celtic
Scott Kellacher, the manager of Caley Thistle, reached out to his contacts at Celtic, where he had previously played as a youth.
The club’s willingness to assist was evident, as they allowed the 18-year-old Rice to join the Highlanders for this crucial match. Kellacher expressed gratitude towards Chris McCart, head of Celtic’s academy, and Colin Meldrum, the goalkeeping coach for Celtic B team, for their support during this challenging time. “A lot of clubs were actually trying to help us, which was great,” Kellacher noted, emphasizing the spirit of cooperation in Scottish football.
Aidan Rice’s potential impact
Rice’s arrival at Caley Thistle is seen as a significant opportunity for both the player and the club. Having trained with the team, Kellacher remarked on Rice’s impressive performance, stating, “The young kid came in today and trained and did ever so well.” While acknowledging the challenge of filling Dibaga’s shoes, who has been a standout performer for the team, Kellacher remains optimistic about Rice’s potential contribution. “Aidan is here and hopefully he does well for us on Saturday,” he added, highlighting the importance of the upcoming match.
Looking ahead
As Caley Thistle prepares for their match, the focus will be on integrating Rice into the squad effectively. The coaching staff, including goalkeeping coach Michael Fraser, has already begun working with Rice to ensure he is ready for the challenge ahead. “He is highly thought of at Celtic and has been involved in their European (UEFA Youth League) campaign,” Kellacher mentioned, indicating Rice’s pedigree and the expectations surrounding him. With the support of Celtic and the determination of the Caley Thistle squad, fans are hopeful for a strong performance in the upcoming game.
