Celtic will need to look at strikers over the coming months.
Odsonne Edouard is probably moving to A.C. Milan in the summer (Daily Record). Kasper Junker has been touted as a potential replacement, with Albian Ajeti and Patryk Klimala yet to truly impress at Celtic Park.
There is another name that the Bhoys should be considering, however. Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet has impressed at Easter Road in 20-21, and the Celtic supporter would be welcomed at his boyhood club according to 67 Hail Hail’s Jackie McNamara.
There is, of course, a spanner in the works. Nisbet has been linked to join the growing Scottish contingent at Sheffield United (The Sun). With Oliver Burke and Oli McBurnie already at the Blades, Chris Wilder is apparently keen to add to his attacking options.
Shades of McGinn for Celtic
Celtic have watched on as Edinburgh-based targets have slipped beyond their grasp. Aaron Hickey, formerly a Celtic youngster, joined Bologna (The Scotsman). Perhaps more famously, John McGinn now bosses it at Premier League level (Daily Record).
Bhoys’ supporters clamoured for McGinn before he moved to Aston Villa. Although Nisbet isn’t as in-demand as the Scottish international midfielder, there are familiar feelings for Celtic supporters. At least, that is, the supporters who’d take Nisbet.
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It was assurances of playing time that did the trick for McGinn, who has been a revelation since moving to Birmingham. He’s been linked to a “£50m” move to Manchester United (Birmingham Live), and has been key for Scotland. He was part of the national team that qualified for a major tournament for the first time since 1998.
Nisbet is nowhere near that level yet. However, Celtic have had a great deal of joy investing in players from Easter Road, and the Scottish striker could be the latest Hibee that the Bhoys bid for.
With 14 goal involvements in 18 games for Hibs this season (Transfermarkt), the Glasgow-born striker would represent real quality for Celtic. If Sheffield United do go in for the striker, there’s little doubt that the former Dunfermline and Partick Thistle man would be in and around the first-team.
An upgrade for the Bhoys?
Of course, Nisbet isn’t near the quality of Odsonne Edouard. Not yet, anyway.
He’s not scoring for fun with the French U-21 team (he’s not allowed to), nor is he linked with the cream of Serie A. That said, he’s a proven goalscorer at league level, while Albian Ajeti and Patryk Klimala are not.
Leigh Griffiths is always a threat, but he’s still chasing a real run of matches. He’s had a variety of problems over the last few seasons and just hasn’t been able to cement a first-team place. Ajeti started well, but has tailed off, while Klimala hasn’t impressed in limited apperances.
If Celtic fancy Nisbet, then they’ll have to make a move happen in January. Sheffield United won’t wait around; they need goals, and fast. The Bhoys continue to produce Scottish talents, but they’ll have to continue to battle the English elites to secure home-grown talent from other SPFL clubs.
At the very least, Nisbet is affordable, prolific and worthy of a chance at a bigger club. If Lenny is keen, it’ll be another transfer battle for the Bhoys.