Celtic are interested in Dundee defender Luke Graham, it is being reported.
Martin O’Neill has his squad set for the rest of the season, after a hectic January transfer window which dragged on until the last minute.
However, the club seem to still be doing preparation with the window, with Mexican striker Avi Avila also linked with the Hoops this week.
Celtic’s defensive options were bolstered by the loan signing of Benjamin Arthur on Deadline Day, allowing Stephen Welsh to return to Motherwell.
But it seems that the club are still keeping tabs on defenders, particularly in the local market.
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Celtic and Rangers in the race for Luke Graham
According to transfer journos Pete O’Rourke and Emrem Konur, both Celtic and Rangers are both targeting Graham.
A central defender, he has been a standout performer for Dundee this season. Aberdeen and Hibs were linked last month, with Portsmouth sending multiple bids during the window.
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Graham is a left-footed player, but has played on both sides of centre-half for Steven Pressley’s side this season.
Aged 22, he is a product of the academy at Dens Park. He first drew attention for his performances on loan at Falkirk in the second tier last season.
Dundee recalled him last January, using him in a few matches, but allowed him to return to John McGlynn’s side at the beginning of February.
He has handled the step up to Premiership football brilliantly this time around, scoring for Scotland under-21s against Azerbaijan in October.
The link marks Celtic being linked with yet another player on the Scottish market after talk of Kieron Bowie, David Watson and Josh Mulligan in recent months.
Graham was injured late in extra time in Celtic’s dramatic win over Dundee last weekend, impressing in their 2-0 win over Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops earlier in the season.
Martin O’Neill on Celtic’s transfer window
Speaking for the Daily Record, Chris Sutton was unconvinced that O’Neill is fully satisfied with the club’s January transfer window.
He said: “He was in decent spirits and he declared himself happy with the business done by the club. I’m not so convinced, as I suspect O’Neill might have been putting on a brave face.
“Is he really happy?
“O’Neill is never going to say otherwise but I have my doubts, particularly about the players arriving on deadline day.
“Junior Adamu and Joel Mvuka have struggled in recent times and might be coming in with points to prove.
“Benjamin Arthur is a highly rated young player at Brentford but he’s had limited first team exposure and it would only take an injury or suspension and he might be getting thrown into games like the derby at Ibrox.
“That could be a big ask. The feeling that remains is my old Celtic manager could do with all the help he can get.”
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