Celtic’s recruitment has been on point for a very long time now, and is a key reason behind the club’s continued success.
The powers that be at Celtic Park don’t always go down the road the supporters want them to, such as buying the proven stars.
Usually, it’s fishing in the pond of buying unknown players and transforming them into gems, as it will be interesting to see who Brendan Rodgers brings in this summer.
The Celtic manager has always spoken about wanting that ‘third striker’, and he wasn’t helped by Kyogo Furuhashi leaving in January, and then not being replaced.
But to the Irishman’s benefit, Daizen Maeda has gone goal crazy and taken his game to the next level since his fellow countryman departed the scene.
You suspect a striker, with some reputation, will arrive in the summer, but the Open Goal panel, which included Tony Watt, discussed the possibility of a third striker arriving via Hearts.
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Lawrence Shankland backed to be Celtic’s third striker ahead of Hearts exit
Lawrence Shankland is set to be a free transfer in the summer and is expected to head for the exit door when his contract expires.
Some of the Open Goal panel, such as Paul Slane and Andy Halliday, discussed the idea of the ‘brilliant’ Hearts man securing a move to Rangers on a free.
But Watt, alongside Si Ferry, backed the idea of Shankland being Celtic’s third striker, despite his dip in form this season.
“For me, Rangers have got to take him,” said Paul Slane about Shankland. “Got to take him. I think Shankland is brilliant. This season, he hasn’t been great, but when you get him firing, he will be brilliant for Rangers.”
Andy Halliday added: “I just think, aye, no brainer. If he is a free transfer, and you can get him for the right amount of money, you defo have him as part of your squad.”
Watt then stated: “He would be looking for a good one. Realistically, will Rangers be able to afford him?”
Si Ferry added: “What about this, if you are Celtic and you are always talking about needing that third striker? He is somebody you would take?”
Watt then continued: “Celtic probably need another number nine, don’t they?! Because the boy Kenny isn’t getting a sniff. Somebody who has scored 25 goals. I don’t think it would be the worst.”
Shankland’s Premiership numbers
This time last season, the view around Shankland would have been very different, because he produced one of the best seasons of his career by netting 31 goals in all competitions.
But it’s fair to say that the 29-year-old has struggled this term, as Hearts failed to finish in the top six, and were also beaten by Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
There is no chance the Celtic fans would accept Shankland as any sort of first-team option, and in truth, even as a back-up option, the supporters would prefer Jonny Kenny getting a chance instead.
| Competition | Games | Goals | Assists | Minutes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Premiership | 28 | 4 | 7 | 2,253′ |
 | Conference League | 6 | – | 1 | 540′ |
 | SFA Cup | 3 | 1 | 1 | 308′ |
 | Europa League Qualifying | 1 | – | – | 80′ |
 | League Cup | 1 | – | – | 34′ |
| Total 24/25: | 39 | 5 | 9 | 3,215′ | |
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