Celtic step up striker hunt as Hearts sweat on Shankland
After Martin O’Neill’s Fir Park visit, Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou insists 16-goal Tawanda Maswanhise is not for sale this window, citing no financial pressure to sell.
Celtic miss out on NK Celje striker Franko Kovacevic, who agrees £2.6m move to Ferencvaros. Martin O’Neill confirms need for a centre forward after scouting at Motherwell ahead of Hearts trip.
Agent Gary Preston says January strikers are scarce, Championship wages surpass Celtic’s, and some players avoid Scottish football, making Parkhead recruitment difficult.
Celtic-linked Callum Wilson scores a 93rd-minute winner for West Ham at Spurs. Martin O’Neill rules out a move, saying wages are beyond Celtic, as Nuno weighs the striker’s future.
Hearts’ top scorer Lawrence Shankland suffers a hamstring issue v Falkirk and is a major doubt for the Celtic clash at Tynecastle. Devlin is injured and Baningime suspended for the leaders.
Throwback to 2000: Celtic draw 3-3 at Motherwell. Goals from Mjallby, Valgaeren and McNamara, with Brannan’s late penalty levelling after McCulloch and Adams had scored for Well.
Marking Tom Rogic’s 2013 Celtic signing: the Australian playmaker scored 44, assisted 47 and lifted 16 trophies before retiring after West Brom, remembered for match-winning moments.
Celtic bid for 17-year-old Shamrock Rovers striker Michael Noonan, but face strong competition from Hoffenheim, who are in advanced talks after his record Conference League goal at 16.
Auston Trusty says Celtic have ‘the strongest squad in Scotland’ and back Martin O’Neill after two wins and clean sheets, despite January recruitment needs and a six-point gap to Hearts.
