Celtic have monitored Dundee midfielder Luke McCowan this summer as Brendan Rodgers weights up additions in the engine room.
Matt O’Riley has been the subject of transfer speculation amid links with Bournemouth, Atalanta and Southampton. Should the Denmark international depart, reinforcements will be required to supplement the squad.
Paulo Bernardo is in the door after his successful loan spell last season. However, further cover is required in the event of any outgoings.
In light of his excellent Scottish Premiership form, Celtic have kept tabs on Dundee’s McCowan as a potential solution. The 26-year-old scored against Heart of Midlothian last weekend, taking his tally for the season to three goals and four assists in seven appearances.
Hibernian and Bolton Wanderers have seen bids booted out for the former Ayr United man, with Tony Docherty determined to keep a hold of his captain in the face of transfer interest.
Nevertheless, Brian McClair believes Celtic could land themselves a shrewd operator by bringing McCowan to Glasgow’s east end.
Brian McClair thinks Luke McCowan would enrich Celtic
Disregarding ongoing talk over O’Riley’s future, former Celtic hero McClair thinks McCowan has the requisite ‘characteristics’ to succeed at Celtic Park if he were to swap Tayside for Glasgow.
He explained [Football Scotland]: “Someone who I think that Celtic should be interested in whether Matt O’Riley decides he’s going to be somewhere else or not is Luke McCowan of Dundee. I like him, I think he’s the type of player who would flourish at Celtic.
“I know he’s done very well at Dundee last year and he’s also started off the first two league games this season showing some fine form. I like him and he looks to me like he’s got the right characteristics to be a Celtic player.”
McCowan’s future is still uncertain, with his contract at Dens Park entering its final year. English Championship clubs and MLS sides have also kept informed on his situation.
Luke McCowan’s name continues to circulate
Celtic haven’t put forward any proposal for McCowan, that is clear, but his name has cropped up this window and continues to be a topic of discussion.
Moving from Dundee to Celtic Park would be a significant jump. However, the midfielder didn’t take long to adapt to life in the Scottish top flight, creating 59 chances in 2023/24.
Couple that with his start this term; you can see some advantages to chasing his signature. Fulfilling homegrown quotas for European competition also shouldn’t be disregarded, which he could help bolster.
Despite this, Celtic will likely land a significant windfall if they did part ways with O’Riley. Combine that with the cash reserves already available at the club, and you can see why supporters may want a higher-profile midfielder this window.
