After Celtic’s league and cup double win, there is already significant movement at their two title rivals from this season.
In a sensational move that has come completely from the blue, Lawrence Shankland is leaving Hearts for Rangers, after a previously unknown break clause in his contract was triggered.
It’s a very on-brand signing for the Ibrox side, but there’s no denying that there are opportunities to be had in the Scottish Premiership market this summer.
We picked out three standout names that the Hoops should go out and get.
Would Elijah Just be a good addition to the Celtic team?
Let us know in the comments.
Three Scottish Premiership players for Celtic to target
Elijah Just, Motherwell
We start with the obvious choice in Elijah Just, widely reported as a Celtic target after a stellar debut season with Motherwell.
The 25-year-old was nominated for the SFWA Player of the Year award after 14 goal contributions from midfield in the league this season.
There’s no doubt that Celtic need to go in a different direction next season; they need to re-establish their playing style. A crucial focus for doing this should be targeting players who *enjoy* having the ball.
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As anyone who has watched the Steelmen this season will testify, Just excels at receiving the ball. Always on the move and rarely untidy with his first touch, he is an out-and-out technician.
He has played for Jens Berthel Askou at various clubs, so the Hoops may need to fend off Toulouse for his signature in the coming transfer window.
Josh Mulligan, Hibs
Injury put a sudden halt to a quietly excellent debut season for Josh Mulligan at Easter Road, but this won’t stop the vultures from circling this summer.
Premier League clubs have been linked with Mulligan, who can operate as a right-back but is most effective as a driving, box-to-box midfielder.
He has frequently been compared to John McGinn, and when watching the 23-year-old, you can understand why. He is an excellent athlete, rapid over the first few yards and extremely difficult to fend off the ball.
Celtic already look to have missed a trick by not signing Kieron Bowie from Hibs, so they could do with learning their lesson by paying attention to Mulligan this summer.
He offers a midfield profile that the current Hoops squad desperately lacks.
Elliot Watt, Motherwell
Finishing off a trio of midfielders we have Elliot Watt, also linked with Celtic this week and reportedly valued at £3 million by Motherwell.
No midfielder in the league averaged more passes per game than Watt this season, such was his ability to dictate possession from the ‘number six’ role in Askou’s system.
He plays a similar role to Callum McGregor in the position, but where the Parkhead captain relies on carrying, Watt is more of a passer.
Is £3 million a fair asking price for Celtic target Elliot Watt?
Both feet, one touch, two touch, under pressure, over 50 yards… Watt’s passing range is nothing short of exceptional. He has been a complete revelation this season.
If an understudy to McGregor is what Celtic want, they could do a whole lot worse than the 26-year-old this summer.
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