The January transfer window is around the corner, and Celtic and Wilfried Nancy are expected to be busy.
This has been far from a normal season in Scotland. From Celtic and Rangers parting ways with their managers in the same season for the first time in history to Hearts sitting top of the table at Christmas.
It has been crazy, chaotic and drama-filled, yet it could get crazier, especially if the likes of Celtic can get players in this winter.
One man thriving and playing his best football in the middle of the park for Hearts is Cammy Devlin, and his next possible destination was discussed by Andy Halliday.
You have £20m to spend in the January transfer window. How are you spending it?
Celtic ‘need’ Cammy Devlin more than Rangers
Celtic and Nancy need extra bite in midfield, especially someone to help out captain Callum McGregor, whilst Rangers probably need a whole new squad, given how abject they have been.
But speaking on Clyde 1, Halliday explained that Devlin is more needed at the champions of Scotland than at Ibrox.
Halliday explained that Celtic ‘need more legs’ around McGregor, and that’s Devlin’s game to a tee, whereas Rangers require someone who is more creative and can ‘progress the game up the pitch.’
“I think Celtic need a Cammy Devlin more than Rangers do,” said Halliday. “With this shape that Wilfried Nancy is taking with Celtic. The 3-4-3, and the two in the midfield.
“I think Celtic need more legs next to Callum McGregor. They look a little bit wide open, at times. I think they look susceptible to counter-attacks.
“Whereas I think Rangers need a midfielder that can get on the ball, progress the game up the pitch and create chances.
“The profile of player Cammy Devlin is, I think, that he is more suited to what Celtic need than Rangers.”
Sutton’s verdict on Celtic’s football under Nancy. Justified?
Would Hearts sell Devlin in January?
There is a lot of pressure on the Celtic board to sign players in January for Nancy, after the mess they made of the 2025 summer transfer window when Brendan Rodgers was in charge.
What’s interesting, and it was noted by the panel on Clyde 1, is that Devlin is out-of-contract at the end of the campaign.
Bearing that in mind, and Hearts’ push for a title, Halliday can’t see the hard-hitting Australian midfielder leaving before the season is out.
Gordon Duncan: “Because he is out-of-contract in the summer, and where Hearts are. They would never sell him to anybody in January. Would they? Nevermind a title rival.”
Halliday: “They would for an outrageous sum of money that Celtic or Rangers are not going to pay once he has less than six months left on his contract.”
Duncan: “That’s what I am saying. Would anybody pay that money with six months left? Are you getting any fee at this stage that would tempt you? He has been their best player this season.”
Halliday: “I don’t think you can. Listen, as you said, he is out-of-contract in the summer. He has had a very good season, so I don’t think there is any doubt that clubs will have one eye on it.
“But I don’t think there is any doubt he is leaving Hearts in January.”
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