Celtic’s recent record of signings from Scottish clubs has been a mixed bag.
Some don’t go so well. Brendan Rodgers will remember the signing of Jack Hendry which simply did not work out.
He has also worked with Luke McCowan, a fairly reliable contributor since joining the Hoops in 2024, as well as Greg Taylor, who became a mainstay in the Celtic team for several years.
Looking back to the likes of Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Christie and Leigh Griffiths, there are absolutely good players out there in Scotland – you just need to make sure you get the right ones.
Even the likes of Lewis Ferguson and Aaron Hickey have made the move from the SPFL to Serie A look easy in recent years.
So who should be on Celtic’s radar currently? 67 Hail Hail looked at three outstanding candidates, and how/whether they would fit in at the Hoops.
Three SPFL players who should be on Celtic’s radar
Kieron Bowie – Hibernian, striker
This, admittedly, is the obvious choice. Kieron Bowie has been one of the most talked about players in the country this season, and has been included in the last two Scotland squads.
The 23-year-old striker is in his second season at Hibs, joining them after two years as a regular starter at Northampton Town in the EFL.
READ MORE: Where Chris Sutton wants to see more from Kelechi Iheanacho as Celtic hero demands improvement
Bowie’s standout attribute as a striker is his strength. He is not easy to shake off the ball, and combines this with impressive link-up play.
He showed this in Hibs’ European ties against Midtjylland, Partizan Belgrade and Legia Warsaw – most notably with his outrageous volley in the home tie against the Serbians.
Celtic could do with another striker – and while Bowie would come at a premium, they could do a lot worse than the 23-year-old.
Will Ferry – Dundee United, left-back
Similarly to Bowie, Will Ferry made the move from League One to the Scottish top flight and made it look easy.
A marauding left-back who operates as a left-wing back for United despite being capable defensively, Ferry has just been handed his first Ireland call-up.
He has also shown his ability in Europe this season, standing out as Jim Goodwin’s side took Rapid Vienna to penalties in the UEFA Conference League.
Celtic don’t need a left-back on paper, with Kieran Tierney and Marcelo Saracchi both established internationals with top-level pedigree.
But with Tierney’s fitness still uncertain and Saracchi only on loan without an option to buy, the Hoops recruitment department will undoubtedly have their eyes on the market.
David Watson – Kilmarnock, midfielder
Watson made a first-team breakthrough at Kilmarnock as a midfielder two years ago, aged just 18. Impressing with his energy and aggression, he was still raw.
After starting just over half of their league matches last season, he has played every minute since the arrival of Stuart Kettlewell – scoring in Celtic’s win at Rugby Park last month.
Is he ready to contribute in an already-competitive Hoops midfield? Probably not – but he looks to have gone up a level so far this season.
If he keeps up his level of performance so far, he will be a man in demand next summer, or possibly even in January.
And with the Hoops low on home-grown players for the European quota, Watson is one of the standout young options in Scotland.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
