Celtic could take advantage of Hibs’ finances by striking Nisbet, Doig or Porteous deal

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Celtic could take advantage of the situation at Hibernian.

Last night, the Herald reported that the Edinburgh side had made significant financial losses during the Covid pandemic. For the year up to June 2020, the club made a £1.4m loss. Hibs’ financial results also included a 17% reduction in turnover.

The Herald continued:

“The club’s wage to turnover ratio shot from 74 per cent compared to 59 per cent for the previous year, despite manager Jack Ross operating with a reduced squad and players taking wage deferrals between 20 and 50 per cent.”

Now, what has this got to do with Celtic, you ask? With Brexit set to cause transfer chaos over the next few years at least, UK-based talent is at a premium. We’ve already seen Liam Shaw sign for the club, while Kyle Joseph, Joel Randall and Kwadwo Baah have seen their names appear in transfer gossip pages.

So, it would make sense for the Bhoys to take advantage of what’s happening at Hibs. Three of the most promising Scottish talents are making strides for the Hibees; namely Kevin Nisbet, Ryan Porteous and Josh Doig.

Millwall made a bid for combative centre-back Porteous in January [Sun], while Nesbit was unsettled by a failed move to Birmingham City [Birmingham Mail].

Celtic need to rebuild, Hibs need to sell

While it would be an act akin to vulture capitalism, these are players that could boost the Celtic squad from day one. Even if Hibs had millions more in the coffers, top players attract attention.

These are also established Scottish Premiership stars who fill key positions. While Kevin Nisbet is unlikely to be the next Odsonne Edouard, he’d certainly ably replace one of Griffiths, Ajeti or Klimala. Doig is an excellent attacking left-back, who could take Diego Laxalt’s place. Porteous is an obvious choice, given Celtic’s defensive deficiencies.

It’s not like we haven’t done this before. Celtic have sought after Hibs prospects for a long time. In the last two or three decades, Leigh Griffiths, Chris Killen, Anthony Stokes, Derek Riordan, Ulrik Laursen, Didier Agathe and most famously, Scott Brown, have made the trip up the M8.

Is it cynical? Most probably. However, Hibs need to sell, and Celtic need to buy. To miss out on more home-grown talent that could be available cheaply would be utter negligence.

Dominic McKay is surely keeping an eye on the situation.

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