CELTIC are plotting a January move for a key star from a rival Scottish Premiership club.
That’s despite the fact the Hoops currently don’t have a permanent manager in place.
Celtic are currently on the lookout for a new boss after Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation just over a week ago.
Legendary Hoops manager Martin O’Neill has returned to the club in interim charge in the meantime.
But while the search for a new manager goes on, Celtic will of course be continuing to plan for the upcoming January transfer window and beyond.
And they’re reportedly eyeing a swoop for a highly rated Premiership star.
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According to The Herald, Celtic are considering a bid for Kilmarnock ace David Watson in January.
The 20-year old is in the final year of his contract at Rugby Park with his deal expiring at the end of the current season.
Watson burst onto the scene during the 2022/23 season as a teenager and has been a mainstay of the Killie side since with more than 100 senior appearances under his belt.
He’s been linked with several clubs over the past couple of years including Hearts and Rangers.
But it’s Celtic who could look to steal a march on any signing rivals.
The report claims Watson is one of several Scottish players that the Hoops have been looking at, with a view to maintaining eight homegrown players in their European squad going forward.
It goes on to say that clubs from overseas have also enquired about Watson.
He will, of course, also be free to discuss pre-contract deals with clubs once the new year comes around.
Kilmarnock would be due compensation if Watson moved to another Scottish club on a free transfer.
A Scotland youth international, Watson has 10 won caps so far at under-21 level and has been named in the squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Gibraltar and Bulgaria.
Meanwhile, the chief executive of the FAW, Noel Mooney, insists that Celtic manager contender Craig Bellamy is “fully focused” on leading the country to next year’s World Cup.
The former Hoops striker has emerged as one of the names in the frame to succeed Rodgers as full-time boss at Parkhead.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
