Celtic are in a strong position heading into the January transfer window.
Compared to last season, when there were chants of ‘sack the board’ during Celtic’s defeat to Hearts in November, the club enters this window in a far healthier manner.
Brendan Rodgers has stated that Celtic want to do business and talk about who could come in has already started.
Quite a lot of noise has centred around the midfield places, with some arguing that could be the strongest part of Rodgers’ squad.
From Motherwell star Lennon Miller to Burnley’s soon-to-be out-of-contract star, Josh Brownhill, many names have popped up.
But another name was discussed, in regards to the forward areas, especially after Rodgers stated he wants three strikers back in August.
As of this moment, Kyogo Furuhashi is Celtic’s main man, with Adam Idah, who scored during the thumping win against Ross County on Saturday, as the back-up option.
But how about a man who is expected to leave his current club and arrive, not in the winter, but perhaps in the summer of 2025?!
Andy Halliday says Lawrence Shankland would ‘go to Celtic’
The Scotland international isn’t hitting the high notes of last season, but that still hasn’t stopped noise around his future.
As Si Ferry touched upon on Open Goal, Lawrence Shankland ‘expects to leave Hearts’, with his contract expiring next summer.
Andy Halliday stated that Shankland would ‘go to Celtic’, but former Bhoys youth product Paul Slane shut it down by stating that he simply ‘wouldn’t suit’ Rodgers’ style.
“In the last few games, where I have watched Shanks, every part of his game, apart from goalscoring, has been great,” shared Ross McCormack.
“Shankland said he expects to leave Hearts and there is ‘no progression made on a new deal, he is free to talk to other clubs in January,” shared Si Ferry. “Would Celtic take him?”
Paul Slane responded: “No, I don’t think so.” And then McCormack asked: “Do you think he would go to Celtic?”
Andy Halliday then chipped in: “I think he would go to Celtic.” Before Ferry reminded the panel: “He did say he wanted three strikers at the start of the season, didn’t he, Rodgers?!”
Slane then claimed: “I don’t think he suits Celtic’s style. The way we press.”
Shankland’s stats v Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah
At the end of the day, it’s about the here and now, as Shankland simply isn’t good enough for the levels of Celtic.
Yes, he scored 31 goals last season in all competitions, but it’s December now and, as posted by Transfermarkt, he only has one goal for Hearts this term – Callum McGregor has scored more from just outside of the box.
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Premiership | 15 | 1 | 3 | 1.311′ |
 | Conference League | 4 | – | 1 | 360′ |
 | Europa League Qualifying | 1 | – | – | 80′ |
 | League Cup | 1 | – | – | 34′ |
| Total 24/25: | 21 | 1 | 4 | 1.785′ | |
Then you need to look at the competition facing Shankland, if Rodgers wants and gets that third striker, then he needs to have the ability to challenge what is ahead of him.
Shankland wouldn’t be able to do that, with Kyogo, not just levels above, but miles ahead of the Scotsman.
The Japan star has seven goals to his name this season, including five in the Premiership, with Idah doing better, in comparison to the minutes he is playing.
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiership | 10 | 5 | – | 376′ |
 | UEFA Champions League | 5 | 1 | – | 129′ |
| League Cup | 3 | 2 | – | 141′ |
| Total 24/25: | 19 | 8 | – | 646′ | |
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiership | 12 | 5 | 3 | 779′ |
| UEFA Champions League | 5 | 1 | – | 321′ |
| League Cup | 1 | 1 | – | 69′ |
| Total 24/25: | 18 | 7 | 3 | 1.169′ | |
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