There aren’t many teams in Scotland who can better what Celtic do in the transfer market.
Not only do the champions recruit the best, but they make sure that if they have to part ways with a player then they get top dollar.
That was proven when Matt O’Riley left Celtic for Brighton in the summer, with that money used wisely and some top-quality players coming.
Luke McCowan has been shining for Celtic since moving from Dundee, but it seems as though the champions were looking at another Scottish star.
Joe Savage was Hearts’ sporting director before leaving this summer and he shared an insight into some of the teams who were keen on their players.
As Celtic were beating Motherwell 3-0 at the weekend, it was the small matter of the Edinburgh derby being played out just hours earlier.
Hearts scored a late equalising goal at Hibernian and a new star was born.
Celtic along with Arsenal looking at James Wilson
The young teenager who scored the goal was James Wilson and he has clearly put his name up in lights in the best way possible.
But it seems as though he has already been watched by some of the best in the world, including Celtic, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Arsenal.
Joe Savage, Hearts’ former sporting director, admitted that it was ‘really hard’ to keep the 17-year-old at the club.
He named the teams that were interested in bringing him in, including Celtic, as he told Open Goal.
“James (Wilson) was one that we had to work really hard to keep,” said Savage. “A lot of interest, both Celtic and Rangers were trying to get him.
“And, down south, a lot of the big clubs down south were trying to get him. Arsenal as well. I think Manchester City were in there as well. Brighton were in there as well. Leeds United. Aston Villa. A lot of these guys were interested in him.”
Who is Hearts’ rising star Wilson?
The norm in football today isn’t just to buy the experienced players or the ready-made ones, but to pay big bucks for those you think will reach that level.
Wilson seems to fall into that category and his latest goal will only make him more popular, not just with his own fans, but those who are keen to sign him.
But who is James Wilson?
He wears the number eight shirt for Hearts, he made his debut in January 2024, so he hasn’t even played 12 months of professional football.
Wilson is listed as a forward on the Hearts website and already has two goals to his name, so certainly one to watch out for if you are a Celtic fan.
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