Celtic goalkeeper’s double life jumping between two clubs

The Celtic Star

·1 April 2025

Celtic goalkeeper’s double life jumping between two clubs

While on loan at Scott Brown’s Ayr United, Josh Clarke is still making the most of the guidance from several experienced players at Celtic…

Josh Clarke of Ayr United Dundee United v Ayr United, Cinch Scottish Championship, Football, Tannadice, Dundee – 20 April 2024 Photo Alan Rennie Shutterstock

The 20-year-old first arrived at Somerset Park on a loan deal last season. In March of this year, he rejoined Ayr to assist Brown in their bid for promotion to the Premiership.

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Clarke has feared six times for Ayr Utd this season

Clarke has featured in six matches for the Honest Men this season, recording one clean sheet which came on Saturday in a 3-0 victory over Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline.

He splits his training between Lennoxtown and Ayr, revealing the important figures at Celtic who are supporting his development: “I have done some training back at Lennoxtown and been a little bit back and forth,” he said, as reported by The National.

‘I’ll always try to make myself available to train and do my best’

“I’ll always try to make myself available to train and do my best. It’s something I’ve done for a little while now – going between both clubs. Scott Bain, Kasper, Vil and the goalie coach, Stevie Woods, have been great with me.”

“The way the guys approach the game and the mentality the guys have to keep winning, winning, winning is something I see in training every day. It becomes instilled in you, and I try to bring the best I can.”

Clarke added: “You see them operate – playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday every week – and their ability to keep going is quite remarkable. I learn from the players. Kasper, as the number one, is brilliant to learn from.”

Josh Clarke, the Celtic goalkeeper currently on loan at Ayr Utd

‘Kasper does everything he can to prepare himself for games’

“If you saw what Kasper does to get himself on the pitch… he does a lot of work behind the scenes. It’s saunas, ice baths and he does everything he can to prepare himself for games.”

Kasper Schmeichel. Motherwell v Celtic, 2nd February 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou

“It’s very unfair if there is any criticism of him because he always prepares himself. There are a good few of them at the club and you try to make the most of the facilities there.”

As Schmeichel remains sidelined, Viljami Sinisalo stepped in as Celtic’s goalkeeper on Saturday against Hearts. The Finnish shot-stopper also spent time at Somerset in the past: “It’s unfortunate for Kasper,” said Clarke.

Celtic v Hearts, Scottish Premiership 29/03/2025. Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo during the match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park, on 29 March 2025. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie/PSI

“I’m not quite sure of the extent of how bad it is. It will be a miss for the team but I’m sure Vil will do well. I’m sure he had been looking forward to his league debut for a long time.”

“I’m pleased for him, and he got a clean sheet as well. Vil has mentioned his time here at Ayr and speaks well of the club.”

“It gives me motivation to do as well as I can”

“It’s nice to go back and speak to him and Luke McCowan – two guys who have been here and are now playing at Celtic. It gives me motivation to do as well as I can.”

Luke McCowan opens the scoring, Dens Park, Dundee v Celtic. 14th January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Clarke’s contract with Celtic runs until the summer of 2027. He made the move to the Scottish champions from Glenavon in Northern Ireland in 2022.

Conor Spence

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