We are now more than halfway through Celtic’s January transfer window…
And nothing has ever been more obvious than Martin O’Neill’s need for a striker.
It’s as baffling as it is predictable to see Celtic making seemingly no progress over several weeks, despite the team’s struggles for goals.
Julian Araujo remains their only signing of the window, having been signed off by Wilfried Nancy just a week before he was sacked.
Kyogo Furuhashi and Callum Wilson are among the strikers to have been chased, but the Hoops have also made an enquiry about Hibs striker Kieron Bowie.
Kieron Bowie to Celtic… yes or no?
Hibs hero on Kieron Bowie’s Celtic interest
Hibs striker Bowie had some 2025, responding to a long-term injury by breaking into the Scotland squad.
He has now reportedly been given a £6.5 million price tag by his club amid interest from Rangers and Wolves as well as Celtic.
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And Tam McManus, writing in his column for the Daily Record, is pretty certain on how Bowie is feeling about the transfer talk.
He said: “I know exactly what must have been going through Kieron Bowie’s mind this time last week…
“The fact I know how easy it can be for a player to let transfer talk impact their game is the reason why I was so impressed with Bowie’s performance against Well last week.
“I see a player who is maturing all the time. When it came to service on the day, he didn’t have much to work with.
“It would have been so easy for him to let overeagerness get the better of him when Jordan Obita finally did pick him out with 20 minutes left. But there was no hint that he was thinking about moves elsewhere or the need to impress watching scouts as he calmly took a touch before firing high past Calum Ward.
“And for me, that’s a sign of a top player. I truly believe Bowie has what it takes to make it in the English Premier League.
“Some people might scoff at that but I do think it’s a competition that often values power, pace and athleticism over quality on the ball.
“Kieron has all those attributes but I also think he’s improving all the time with his finishing and link up play.
“Rangers and Celtic are interested by all accounts but I’m not sure I see them submitting the kind of offer that will satisfy Hibs’ valuation of £6.5million.
“David Gray and the Easter Road board are in no rush to sell. And I just hope Kieron isn’t either.”
“Yes all the speculation can be distracting but right now he’s in a rich vein of form having hit nine goals for the season.
“If he can repeat that in the second half of the campaign then for me he’s nailed on for a seat on the plane to the World Cup with Scotland.
“As long as Bowie doesn’t have his head turned I’m not sure many will be able to take their eyes off the Hibs striker in the months to come.”
Name three players you would sell in the current Celtic side
Other strikers linked to Celtic this month
There has been quite a number of strikers linked to Celtic already this month, so here goes…
Ivorian trio Ibrahim Diabate, Mohamed Bamba and David Datro Fofana – of GAIS, Lorient and Chelsea respectively – are all reportedly of interest.
Franko Kovacevic has had a €5 million price tag put on him by NK Celje with Celtic in the race. It looks like Andrej Ilic won’t be coming to Glasgow, however.
Celtic have launched their first enquiry for Wilson, but whether or not he will become a free agent remains unclear.
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