Celtic have now burst into the race to sign a “fantastic” Scottish Premiership star ahead of bitter rivals Rangers, with clubs now queuing up for his signature.
Celtic and Rangers doing battle for SPL stars
The race for the Scottish Premiership title is well and truly on, and it is currently advantage Hearts, with the Edinburgh side sitting five points clear at the top of the table, courtesy of the weekend’s results going very much in their favour.
Derek McInnes’ side edged out Aberdeen 1-0 at Tynecastle, before Rangers and Celtic went on to draw 2-2 at Ibrox, with Reo Hatate rescuing a point for the visitors in stoppage time, scrambling the ball home after his initial penalty was kept out by Jack Butland.
Martin O’Neill has now urged his January recruits to step up, as we approach the business end of the season, saying: “We’ve taken players in who, whatever they say about it, they might be playing in big leagues. But this is demanding – no more demanding than going to Ibrox for a start.
“But yes, now that they’ve seen what this is all about, you want them to come in and make the impact in the last couple of months of the season.”
O’Neill is set to depart in the summer, but while the 74-year-old’s successor is yet to be named, the Hoops are already making plans for the summer transfer window.
It has now been revealed the Glasgow giants are neck and neck with Rangers in the race to sign Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson, but he isn’t the only Scottish Premiership star they have their eye on.
According to a report from Sports Boom, Celtic have now surged into the race for Dundee FC star Luke Graham, who Rangers have been looking at for quite some time, with Barry Ferguson considered a big fan.
Dundee are looking to receive £2m – £2.5m for the defender, amid widespread interest, with Brentford, Portsmouth and Lincoln City also being credited with an interest.
Graham could be “fantastic” signing for Celtic
Scotland U21s coach Scot Gemmill is a keen admirer of the 22-year-old, saying earlier this season: “Luke is fantastic. He’s obviously playing at Premiership level now. He’s doing great. He was excellent in Czech Republic.
Not only has the Scottish centre-back impressed for his national side, but he has also averaged 1.0 blocks per 90 in the Scottish Premiership this season, the most of any Dundee player, with an average of 1.2 interceptions per 90 ranking him in second place.
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There are question marks over Celtic’s defence, having conceded 30 goals in the Scottish Premiership this season, which is more than Hearts, Rangers and Motherwell.
Consequently, it would be a savvy move to bring in a new centre-back this summer, and Graham could now be ready to make the step-up from Dundee.