Livingston coach Marvin Bartley believes Celtic will be tracking Hibs duo Kieron Bowie and Josh Mulligan as well as Kilmarnock youngster David Watson.
With Celtic fan anger still hanging around from the shambolic summer transfer window, the club simply must get business done this winter.
Brendan Rodgers has continually reiterated the need to add quality to his Celtic first team, and fans will be looking to the Parkhead board to deliver in January.
And it appears that the club may well already have three targets in mind as Livingston coach Marvin Bartley says Celtic will have three young SPFL players ‘definitely’ on their list.
Celtic will have Kieron Bowie, David Watson and Josh Mulligan in their sights
Celtic have plenty of money to spend and it appears that they could be about to splash the cash on Hibs duo Josh Mulligan and Kieron Bowie as well as Kilmarnock’s David Watson after it was put to Bartley that the Parkhead club need to look closer to home.
Bartley told Superscoreboard, “No, exactly that. You know, the three players that John mentions [David Watson, Kieran Bowie & Josh Mulligan], I think Bowie will probably be the most realistic one for Celtic to go for in the next window.
“Just because they’re so heavily weighted in that central midfield area, unless someone was to leave, obviously.
“But, listen, Bowie’s had a fantastic start to the season, which meant he’s been called into the Scotland squad, he then makes his debut as well.
“So it’s been a real, real good start to the season for the lad. He ended the back of the last season really well as well. He’s had a few injury problems last season, but he seems to be over them, a touch wood, and hopefully for him that continues.”
Hibs youngster Kieron Bowie the ‘most realistic’ target for Celtic
At just 23, Hibs striker Bowie has been capped twice for Scotland and has scored 10 goals in 36 career appearances for Hibs, with four of those coming this season.
And out of the three players mentioned, Bartley believes the Easter Road man is the easiest one for Celtic to get.
Bartley continued, “They’ll definitely be on the radar of Celtic because you wouldn’t be doing your job if boys were doing really well in the league, young players as well that have a resale value, which Celtic obviously like having as well.
“But I think out of those three, Bowie would probably be the most realistic one because they do need another number of line up there.”
At 20, Killie’s David Watson has 113 appearances for Kilmarnock as the midfielder continues to earn rave reviews this season.
And 22-year-old Josh Mulligan only has 15 senior appearances in Scotland’s top flight with Hibs. However, the midfielder has scored two goals.
Would this trio get into Celtic’s team, never mind improve it? That remains to be seen, but all three are clearly very talented and would thrive under Rodgers.
It’s just a pity it looks like the Celtic boss will be leaving at the end of the season, though.
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