Celtic step up striker hunt, Wilson enquiry made
Celtic contact West Ham to gauge Callum Wilson’s interest in a January move. The 33-year-old is set to leave after Nuno told him his role changed. Hoops also track Fofana and Franko Kovacevic.
Falkirk, who lost 1-0 to Celtic midweek, visit leaders Hearts in the Scottish Cup. Hearts are unbeaten in 13 at home and won both league meetings, as Falkirk seek an upset at Tynecastle.
Opinion piece slams CEO Michael Nicholson over mismanagement, failed hires and a poor window, arguing Rodgers was undermined and Celtic, six points off Hearts, need decisive action before 25 January.
Tam McManus praises Hibs’ Kieron Bowie amid Rangers and Celtic links, saying he is valued around £6.5m and should not rush a move, with Celtic among clubs monitoring the in-form striker.
Celtic chase two strikers, weighing moves for Kovacevic (£4.7m+), Callum Wilson, Ambrosino, Bamba, Datro Fofana, Kieron Bowie (£6m) and Diabate (£3m), with O’Neill insisting a new centre forward is essential.
Celtic’s £2.5m move for Maccabi Netanya winger Jocelin Ta Bi collapses as Sunderland agree a £3.5m deal and five-year contract. Trabzonspor had interest but he heads to the Stadium of Light.
Celtic are among clubs chasing Dundalk’s 17-year-old centre-back Vinnie Leonard, with Crystal Palace, Brighton and Norwich also in for the Irish U18. Leonard has 34 senior games and 3 goals this season.
Nygren admits Celtic were below par at Falkirk but says they must ‘win every game’ to reel in Hearts and Rangers. His header sealed the points as O’Neill seeks reinforcements to boost the title push.
Profile of winger John Higgins, a 1953-54 double winner who netted 41 in 84 for Celtic, including four v Airdrie. Injuries curtailed his career before later coaching and scouting roles at the club.
Throwback to Celtic’s 1-0 win over Juventus in 1981, Murdo MacLeod’s deflected strike beating Dino Zoff after Davie Provan’s corner, before Juve advanced 2-0 in Turin two weeks later.
