The smart January investment Celtic should make that would devastate Premiership foe

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As we look ahead to the January transfer window, it’s time to talk about the prospect of John Souttar to Celtic.

Granted, there have been no official links that the Hoops are currently interested. Some may even question whether centre-back is a priority position given the performances of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt in recent weeks.

But Souttar is a special case. The 25-year-old is about to enter the final few months of his current Hearts contract. After being robbed of 2 years of his career due to ankle and achilles injuries, Souttar has become one of the in-form centre-back performers in the Premiership.

His form at Tynecastle has led to a recall back into the Scotland squad. He managed to put his name on the back pages this morning thanks to a goal against Denmark that helped bag the Scots a home tie for their World Cup playoff semi-final.

However, the it wasn’t just the goal that left many Celtic fans impressed. How he helped boss Andreas Cornelius was brilliant to watch. Souttar was dominant in the air against his towering foe and didn’t waste a pass all night.

It was as efficient a display as we’ve seen from a Scotland centre-back in some time. And it only adds to what’s been a superb comeback from the player in Edinburgh this season. Souttar has only missed 2 games due to injury all season as he continues to show that he’s more than over his injury problems.

John Souttar to Celtic still holds major appeal

With the prospect of bagging a pre-contract in January, Celtic have the opportunity to bag one of Scottish football’s best defensive prospects for absolutely nothing. There’s literally no risk here for the Hoops.

Given Souttar is comfortable with the ball at his feet, that would be another real attraction for Ange Postecoglou. A goal threat up the other end, there’s a lot to like about the Hearts man’s game.

If Celtic pulled it off, it would be a huge hammer blow to the Gorgie club too. Whilst that should never be the primary motivation for signing a player, it certainly wouldn’t be a negative. Souttar is already a proven talent and he’s done enough to suggest his dark days are over.

At 25, it’s time for him to take a step up. The step up he could’ve made a couple of years ago had he not been struck down so cruelly.

It remains to be seen if the player feels some sort of inner loyalty to Hearts for sticking by him during his injury hell. But an offer from Postecoglou’s Celtic would certainly have him thinking twice if he does.

Souttar fits the bill when it comes to what the manager wants in his defenders. Composed, powerful, athletic, comfortable on the ball, and a goal threat. The chance to nab a talent like that for nothing? Why pass it up.

In other news, Craig Levein absolutely blown away by Celtic star; lauds him on BBC Sportsound