Carlisle United’s pursuit of goalkeeper Ross Stewart has hit a setback, as manager Paul Simpson revealed that the proposed deal to sign the 28-year-old free agent has fallen through. The League One club had been evaluating Stewart over the past three weeks and had reached an agreement to secure his services after his departure from Hearts in the summer.
Expressing his disappointment, Simpson acknowledged the unforeseen turn of events, stating, “We have to just deal with it and get on with it. It can’t happen – it’s not going to happen before January – so we’re looking at other things now.”
The failed acquisition is a setback for both Carlisle United and Stewart himself. With Jokull Andersson sidelined due to injury, the club sought additional goalkeeping cover. Tomas Holy currently occupies the number one spot, with young goalkeeper Gabriel Breeze serving as the understudy. However, the absence of an experienced alternative poses challenges for the team.
Stewart was identified by Simpson as an ideal candidate to compete with Holy in the coming months. Still, with the deal now off the table, the manager must redirect his efforts towards finding an alternative solution. The January transfer window, set to open next month, offers a new opportunity for recruitment.
Currently positioned 22nd in the League One table, Carlisle United faces a three-point deficit from safety. The team is scheduled for an away fixture against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road this weekend.
As for Stewart, the quest for a new club continues. Having spent his entire career in Scotland, he commenced his journey at Motherwell and subsequently played for clubs such as Albion Rovers, St Mirren, Livingston, and Queen of the South.
His stint with Hearts, where he initially joined on loan in 2020 before making a permanent move, saw him make six appearances for the Edinburgh-based outfit.
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