Celtic are enjoying their renewed status as Scottish Premiership champions and could now strike to beat their rivals to the signing of a highly-rated youngster, per reports.
Celtic probe ahead of summer transfer window
The Bhoys are basking in the glory of a fourth successive league title and will look to hammer home their supremacy this season when they travel to face Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday.
However, their rivals have claimed victory in their last two Glasgow Derby encounters, leaving Brendan Rodgers with a point to prove against his opposite number, Barry Ferguson.
Truthfully, the Irishman can put forward a compelling argument that he has already met his remit with flying colours. He is now the third-most successful manager in Celtic history; trophies are the bottom line in Glasgow after all.
In light of this, Rodgers is likely to gain significant backing from the Hoops hierarchy this summer. According to reports, AC Ajaccio striker Moussa Soumano has emerged as a target at Parkhead, even if Brentford are deemed to be leading the race for his signature.
Crystal Palace winger Jesse Derry is also on Celtic’s radar, but he is likely to be one for the future should he join the club for a compensation fee after refusing to pen a new deal at Selhurst Park.
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In the background, plenty of groundwork will be ongoing to ensure the Bhoys have adequate quality present to combat the challenge of competing in the final Champions League qualifying round next term.
Homegrown players will be needed to meet squad quotas regardless of what league phase they end up in, so it won’t be a surprise that they are now battling their rivals for one of Scotland’s brightest young talents.
Celtic and Rangers race to sign Hearts forward James Wilson
According to Chronicle Live, Celtic and Rangers are both racing to sign Heart of Midlothian forward James Wilson alongside Premier League outfit Newcastle United.
Becoming a regular at Tynecastle, the 18-year-old earned his first Scotland cap against Greece earlier this year and has been scouted by either side of Glasgow’s divide, while the Magpies have sent representatives to watch the youngster several times.
James Wilson’s breakout season at Hearts – first-team and B team level
Appearances
37
Goals
11
Assists
2
Impressive at senior level, Wilson has netted six times in 31 appearances and is capable of playing either on the right flank or as a central striker.
Lauded for his “brilliant” campaign by James Penrice, the prodigious talent has also managed to create 11 chances on Scottish Premiership duty.
Evidently, Wilson still has plenty of growth to come in the next few years, but all the telltale signs are there that he could go on to be a star of Scottish football with the correct development plan.
Celtic will hope they can convince him that Parkhead is the place to achieve that feat, though he would likely be met by stiff competition for his place.