Northern Ireland goalkeeper Josh Clarke could be set to link up with fellow countryman Grant McCann at Doncaster Rovers – despite reportedly agreeing a pre-contract at Partick Thistle – after the League One club registered their transfer interest.

Clarke spent last season on loan with Scottish Championship outfit Partick from Celtic, making 33 league appearances alongside featuring in their promotion play-off matches against Dunfermline Athletic and St Mirren.

The 21-year-old was set for a return to Firhill to continue gaining senior experience after leaving his parent club this summer, but Doncaster are now looking to hijack that move with McCann identifying Clarke as a target.

London-born Clarke has represented Sweden, England, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland at underage international level.

placeholder image — Former Glenavon goalkeeper Josh Clarke is a transfer target for Doncaster Rovers. (Photo by William Cherry/Presseye)

Clarke has pledged his allegiance to Northern Ireland, most recently turning out for the country’s U21s, and has been named in several senior squads – he was an unused substitute in June’s friendlies against Guinea and France.

He started his senior career in the Irish League at Glenavon – Clarke was brought in as emergency cover by the Lurgan Blues in April 2022 for the closing stages of their league campaign and only one day after signing, he saved a penalty in a win over Ballymena United.

In total, Clarke made six appearances for Glenavon and used his brief Premiership stint as a platform to impress with Scottish giants Celtic making their move in August 2022.

Clarke had previously spent time on the books of Chelsea and Bournemouth while he was called up to Northern Ireland’s senior squad for the first time aged 17.

It now appears he could be set for a switch to England with various outlets reporting McCann is keen to make his move – Clarke could even be in line for a return to Mourneview Park with Doncaster playing Glenavon in a pre-season friendly on July 16 before travelling to Linfield on July 18.

Clarke opting for a move to Doncaster would be a bitter blow to Falkirk with manager Mark Wilson saying last summer he was “a young, hungry goalkeeper” and “an assured and confident player who has plenty of potential”.

He had been involved in Celtic’s squad throughout last summer’s pre-season schedule, including for fixtures against the likes of Sporting Lisbon and Newcastle United.

Clarke’s most memorable performance for Celtic’s B team came in their 2023 Glasgow Cup final triumph over Rangers, saving four penalties in a shootout success at Ibrox.

He previously spent time on loan at Ayr United, working under former Celtic captain Scott Brown, who said: “We all know what Josh is about.

"He’s a fantastic character about the place, he’s well driven, he works extremely hard, and he wants the best for his footballing career. You want somebody like that who’s a livewire about the place.”