In an era littered with buzzwords like ‘project’, ‘philosophy’ and ‘transition’, it is remarkable just how many coaches – like ex-Celtic man Wilfried Nancy – seem to ignore the key trait of football. Winning.
Nancy, in his defence, isn’t alone in possessing a remarkable stubbornness to his coaching methods – looking at you, Ruben Amorim and Russell Martin – although the manner in which he forced his desired system on an ill-suited group of players was simply bizarre, with the use of far too many square pegs in round holes ultimately proving his undoing.
After the Frenchman’s self-inflicted chaos, the returning Martin O’Neill has brought the calm back again, seemingly figuring out the best formula for the tools he has at his disposal.
Seven wins from eight total games as interim boss this season has ensured even this turbulent campaign can still end in glory, with the Hoops’ depleted squad still in the mix for the Premiership title.
O’Neill’s winning mentality looks to be rubbing off on a squad that wilted under Nancy, although even the 73-year-old can’t work miracles – he needs a new centre-forward.
Latest on Celtic’s search for a striker
Out went Kyogo Furuhashi a year ago. Adam Idah followed him through the exit door in a last-gasp deal to join Swansea City over the summer.
That was all part of the plan for a well-oiled Celtic machine, with the Parkhead hierarchy having lined up adequate replacements well in advance. Right?
Frustratingly, the dour nature of the club’s transfer dealings has been no more evident than in the centre-forward ranks, with the only senior, proven striker arriving in the door after the window had shut, in the form of Kelechi Iheanacho.
The Nigerian has been riddled with injury since, while Shin Yamada has to score at all following his own summer arrival.
Those woes have led Celtic back to Kyogo’s dour, with the Hoops having reportedly been exploring a loan move last week. As it has transpired, Birmingham City don’t appear keen to sanction a mid-season exit for the Japanese international.
Other targets will likely have to be considered, with the Glasgow side also rivalling Rangers for Hibernian’s Kieron Bowie by all accounts, with the 23-year-old believed to be the subject of a raft of interest this month.
An exciting talent undoubtedly, but with a reported £6.5m asking price on his head, Celtic may have their concerns.
Indeed, with their own promising young striker on the books, perhaps the Hoops should show a little patience.
Celtic have already signed their own Bowie
There’s no denying that Celtic need a proven upgrade before the window slams shut, even with Daizen Maeda netting in a makeshift centre-forward role against Dundee United last time out.
Bowie, with nine goals under his belt this season at Easter Road, is a talent, but proven? Well, that is up for debate.
With 15 goals in 50 games for Hibs, the Scotsman is only just beginning to explode in the Premiership, having initially moved to Edinburgh in the summer of 2024.
It has taken time and patience for Bowie to emerge as the main man for his current side, with Celtic maybe needing to replicate that success with another rising star, Callum Osmand.
Like Bowie, who was signed from Fulham after spending four years on the books in west London, Osmand was also part of the academy set-up at Craven Cottage prior to his own exit this summer.
Unlike Bowie, who had enjoyed spells on loan at Northampton, the Jersey-born marksman hadn’t actually featured at senior level before moving to Glasgow, although he has since caught the eye in his brief outings to date.
While cruelly hampered by injury, the 20-year-old did prove the matchwinner for O’Neill in the Scottish League Cup semi-final win over Rangers, sliding home in extra-time to seal progression to the showpiece.
Having been overlooked by Brendan Rodgers for much of the early season, Osmand appeared to be making up for lost time, producing another lively cameo off the bench away to Midtjylland in the Europa League, after winning the penalty which Reo Hatate subsequently dispatched.
It was that night in Denmark which also saw the youngster’s impact cut short, however, with a five-month spell on the sidelines having been predicted, limiting O’Neill’s pool of strikers even further.
|
Celtic top scorers – 25/26 |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Goals |
|
Nygren |
11 |
|
Maeda |
8 |
|
Kenny |
5 |
|
Yang |
5 |
|
Engels |
4 |
|
Hatate |
4 |
|
McGregor |
3 |
|
Tierney |
3 |
|
Iheanacho |
3 |
That said, those of a Hoops persuasion saw enough to certainly be encouraged by, with the “lightning quick” forward, as hailed by Fulham expert Jack Kelly, likely chomping at the bit to kick on next season.
In the case of Bowie, who scored just six times in total in 2024/25, following his own Fulham switch, it has been the second season which has really seen him elevate himself into becoming a talisman at Easter Road.
It is too early to say if Osmand can do the same at Celtic Park, but rather than signing another young striker who might stunt his development, the Hoops should put faith in their own exciting centre-forward import from south of the border.
Better signing than Bamba: Celtic pushing hard to sign “clinical” striker
Celtic are reportedly interested in a deal to sign a striker who would be a better addition than Mohamed Bamba this month.