Celtic’s need for a striker is almost reaching desperation stages now as the January transfer window reaches its half-way point.
Martin O’Neill has already told the Celtic board that transfers need to be happening quicker this month as the Hoops boss looks to strengthen his squad.
But now, 13 days into the window, Celtic have only added one player, a right-back in Julian Araujo, despite the problems the team have been having in the forward areas.
Kieron Bowie to Celtic… yes or no?
However, as The Herald reports that Celtic have ‘registered interest’ in young Hibs striker Kieron Bowie, 67 Hail Hail takes a look at how that move could be risky as Martin O’Neill looks to beef up his striking options.
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Why Hibs’ £6.5m asking fee for Kieron Bowie is risky for Celtic
Celtic need a proven striker to help spearhead their title defence as they sit third in the league right now.
Young Bowie is still learning his trade at Hibs and making mistakes that can be allowed in the capital right now, but would not be tolerated at Celtic Park.
Celtic supporters already have a striker in Johnny Kenny learning his trade, and as they have seen over recent weeks, the Irishman is missing his fair share of opportunities.
Martin O’Neill simply cannot afford to have another striker like this in the squad. The Celtic manager needs a first-team ready proven goalscorer if he is to have any chance of retaining the top spot from Hearts.
And at £6.5m, that would smash the record fee Celtic paid Hibs for Scott Brown back in 2007. That’s a huge gamble to make at this stage of the season.
Kieron Bowie’s Hibs record is not Celtic class right now
‘Bowie has also had less than two seasons of top-flight football. Before he joined Hibs, the young striker was at Raith Rovers before moving to Fulham and then on to Northampton Town.
Bowie scored 10 goals in 39 appearances for Raith and never made a single appearance for the Fulham senior team.
While at Northampton, 14 goals in 85 appearances in England’s third tier tempted Hibs to bring Bowie to Scotland.
In just over 18 months, Bowie has found the back of the net 15 times in 50 appearances in the SPFL, and whilst this is a decent record, at 23, this is not the form of a Celtic first-team striker.
Not at £6.5m anyway.
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