Celtic's chase for Toth leaves Blackburn scrambling for a keeper

Blackburn Rovers face a looming goalkeeping gap as Celtic intensify their pursuit of 28‑year‑old Hungarian keeper Balazs Toth, while manager Tony Mowbray insists no formal bids have materialised. The club must decide whether to retain him for the season or prepare a replacement before the September 1 window closes.

Balazs Toth is in the final year of his contract at Ewood Park and has turned down any new extension offers this summer. Reports this week linked the 28‑year‑old Hungarian goalkeeper with reigning Scottish champions Celtic, saying Martin O'Neil's side were in advanced talks with Blackburn. The club risks losing him on a free transfer next summer if a deal is not reached before the window closes.

Season start and manager's stance

Toth started both of Blackburn's competitive fixtures this season, keeping a clean sheet in the EFL Cup against Burton Albion and featuring in the Championship opener versus Wolves a week ago. Ahead of Thursday's clash with Middlesbrough, manager Tony Mowbray insisted his first‑choice keeper will feature and that nothing has changed regarding a possible departure. He added, “I genuinely haven't got one more iota of knowledge, to be honest. I'm pretty sure there have been no bids, no offers, nothing for him, and it seems to be very media‑driven.”

Mowbray also noted that, despite the lack of formal interest, the club cannot rule out a move in the final week of the transfer window. Last summer saw Callum Brittain and Lewis Tavis leave as they entered the final years of their contracts, and similar exits occurred with Tyrhys Dolan and Sondre Tronstad. The manager explained that a contingency plan is in place, saying, “I sit in the coaches' office every day… So while in my mind there have been no bids, no contact about any of our goalkeepers, we do sit and think, ‘What if this happens…’”

Future options and transfer deadline

Blackburn's goalkeeping department remains strong, with Pears and younger prospects providing competition, but Mowbray said the club has explored various scenarios, including a Premier League loan or signing a talented young keeper. He remarked, “If Toth went, would we put Pears straight back in? For me, you have to create competition. So you have to get the best goalkeeper that you can get and then assess on a daily basis.” The transfer window closes on September 1, adding urgency to any decision.

The club's schedule is tight, with an EFL Cup progression leading to a home game against Sheffield United on Tuesday evening, meaning any incoming goalkeeper would have to integrate quickly. Fans will be watching closely for any announcement next week, hoping the Rovers are not left short‑handed in goal. Should Celtic delay, Blackburn may have to accept Toth's departure either in January or on a free basis next summer.

Action Images By Samuel Armitage AM GMT+1 Sam is an EFL writer for Football League World. A freelance sports journalist, he graduated from the University of Salford with a First Class Broadcast Journalism degree. Despite his broadcasting background, however, Sam has a plethora of experience in writing, having produced many articles for the Northern Premier League and various Leeds United blogs. His media work has also covered Stockport County, Wigan Athletic and Salford City. He often writes about the challenges faced by clubs across the league, Us included. The piece appears in the Log section of the site.