The other scenario is less palatable, however.

It would see another goalkeeper arriving at Celtic and relegating him to the bench, making him virtually unpickable by Scotland manager Berti Vogts for the Euro 2004 qualifiers.

Certainly, the signs are there that Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is preparing to sign another goalkeeper, with a bid for Magnus Hedman already having been rejected by Coventry.

Antti Niemi of Hearts and Verona’s Russian international Russian Nigmatullin are two others reported to be interesting the Bhoys.

It is a double challenge, therefore, but one the 30-year-old is prepared to meet head on.

Douglas said: "I was reasonably consistent last season and probably had my best season at Celtic and in general.

"I enjoyed it immensely and as far as the Scotland camp goes I will just take it from there.

"I do see it as a double challenge, definitely. We need to bring in a goalie at Celtic and Sully [Sullivan] is a great goalie - I think he gets a lot of unfair criticism from the press up here.

“If I can manage both, it will be great."

Celtic’s pre-season preparations have involved friendlies against two high-calibre European sides in the shape of Werder Bremen and Ajax.

Both games ended in defeat, with Douglas playing the first half of the 6-2 thrashing by the Germans and all of yesterday’s 3-1 Parkhead reverse at the hands of the Dutch champions.

Key defenders Joos Valgaeren, Stephen Crainey and Bobo Balde were missing through injury and the line-ups in both fixtures had an experimental feel to them, but Douglas conceded the goalkeeper is always under scrutiny when goals start to fly in.

He said: "Results aren’t important at the moment although everybody is jumping on the bandwagon.

"Pre-season has been hard for us - we haven’t had any easy games.

"Werder Bremen were a good outfit and Ajax were much improved from last year when we beat them in the Champions League.

"Losing as many goals is disappointing, but we can get that fixed up for Parma at the weekend.

"When goals go in people automatically look at the keeper without a shadow of a doubt, but it’s one of those things. There’s not much you can do.

"It’s part of my job. If you keep a clean sheet nobody points a finger at you, it’s as simple as that."

Douglas was not fully fit for the Ajax game having picked up a back problem against Bremen.

He said: "I’m fine now. I took a clattering on Friday night, but apart form that my fitness is good.

"I’m a quick healer. You want to play in all the pre-season games and all the club games."

But there was news of a more unwelcome type when it was confirmed that midfielder Alan Thompson faces an eight-week lay-off after sustaining ankle ligament damage against Ajax.

An MRI scan this afternoon confirmed significant ligament damage to his left ankle.

Thompson had to be stretchered off after just five minutes of the Parkhead friendly.

Meanwhile, UEFA have confirmed Celtic will be seeded in the third and final qualifying round draw.

That means they will avoid the likes of Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, but could still be paired with a tricky opponent in tomorrow’s lunchtime draw.

The Hoops will be keen to avoid Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon and Fenerbahce, the Turkish conquerors of Rangers at the same stage last year, are other possibilities.