Great wall: Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster (Picture: Getty Images)

Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster has been backed to make the grade at Barcelona by midfield maestro Xavi.

The 25-year-old shot-stopper, who is expected to displace Joe Hart for England’s next international against Chile, has excelled since joining the Hoops from Newcastle, and his performances against Barca in the last two seasons have gone unnoticed at the Catalan club.

The Spanish champions are on the look-out for a new no.1 with Victor Valdes set to leave at the end of the season, and Xavi believes Forster can be just the man.

‘I think the players all know about the Forster interest – and it is a player we know very well,’ said Xavi.




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‘I can’t say that I watch him every week – but when we have played Celtic he has shown that he is a world-class goalkeeper.

‘From what I have seen he has everything to succeed at a club like Barcelona – and with his Champions League performances for Celtic I am sure there will be more than one big club interested in him.’

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has admitted that the clock is ticking on Forster’s Celtic career.

‘It’s going to be impossible to keep Fraser, the way he’s playing,’ Lennon said. ‘Inevitably, I think a huge club will come in and make a huge bid for him.

Making an impression: Forster has shone during Celtic’s meetings with Barca (Picture: AP)