UNCERTAINTY is a weakness which no manager likes to see his goalkeeper portray.

So when Neil Lennon spotted tell-tale signs in Fraser Forster’s demeanour, the Celtic boss had cause for concern.

Today, Lennon’s concerns in tandem with Forster’s doubts have been dispelled – and the result is the consistency of performance which has put the giant shot-stopper on course for a permanent move to Parkhead.

Only hammering out personal terms stands between the loan deal and a long-term contract being signed.

Newcastle have already given Celtic the green light to proceed with the full transfer for £2million. Given his displays over the past few months, that now appears to be a bargain.

But, Lennon revealed, it has taken a huge transformation in the 23-year-old’s attitude to his move back to Glasgow to bring all parties to the point where everyone is happy to move towards Forster signing long-term.

The manager explained: “I think Fraser’s found his rhythm now. At one point he was a bit unsure about coming back here, and about whether or not it was the best thing for him. When he first came back in after the summer, it probably took him a little time to readjust to life up here again.

“I might be wrong. It’s just an observation I made. But once he settled into the squad again, he felt like he was at home and seems really happy here now.”

Forster is a little taken aback when asked if the manager was right in his assessment that he brought not only his kit back to Glasgow after a summer spent with Newcastle, but also some serious doubts that another loan – he had previously been at Stockport, Bristol Rovers and Norwich – was right for him at that point in his career.

But the man from Hexham handles the question with dexterity and admitted: “I had a tough pre-season, to be honest. I went to America with Newcastle, and we were there for about 10 days and had something like 11 flights. It was unbelievable.

“It was hard because that wasn’t really where my head was at, to be at Newcastle. We got there in the end with the loan, and I am glad to have put that behind me.”

Forster gives a lot of the credit for helping him prove he made the right decision to return to Celtic to the men he works with day in, day out.

“It is a terrific club, and the chance to play European football, which I did as soon as I returned to Celtic, is brilliant,” he said. “It was just a case of settling back in, and working hard, and that’s what we’ve done.

“Stevie Woods (goalkeeping coach) has spent a lot of time with me, and the team is in a great place at the moment.”

Match-winning performances like the one against St Mirren last weekend underline what a good place Forster now finds himself occupying.

“I think there are turning points in the season, and the penalty save against Hearts at the start of December gave Fraser a huge lift in confidence,” said Lennon.

“But he had some very good performances before that, like away to Rennes where he made a ricket for their goal then had a wonderful second half.

“Then there was the Udinese game. So he knows he can do it on the big stage and he has been really, really consistent for us.”

With the consistency has come contentment, and Lennon is delighted to see the man he fought hard to bring back to the club as his first-choice keeper smiling again.

The manager said: “I think he is content now, and the exposure he has been getting has been fantastic. We want him here, and we’re hoping to speak to his representatives soon.”

The hardest aspect of playing for Celtic is coping with the long periods of inactivity which are often followed by one moment when you must make a crucial contribution.

While that was not the case at St Mirren Park last week, where Forster faced almost constant bombardment, it could well be the situation again at Hampden on Sunday when Celtic face Falkirk in the Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final.

“It seems to be life up here, and I have been at Celtic long enough to get used to it,” said Forster.

“It’s just about keeping your concentration. You might only have one thing to do in the game, but it could be important.”

And nothing will be taken for granted against the Bairns, even though Celtic are on a great run.

Forster said: “Falkirk are doing really well, as you can see by the fact they have managed to get to a national cup semi-final.

“So we are preparing for another tough game.”