Chris Sutton names English striker as potential Celtic signing in January

Chris Sutton has suggested that Celtic could look south of the border in January as they search for attacking reinforcements, naming an experienced English striker as a possible option as the club attempts to rescue its Premiership title challenge.

The upcoming transfer window is shaping up to be a defining moment for Celtic. Following a turbulent few months, the club’s immediate objective is clear: provide Martin O’Neill with the strongest possible squad to give the Hoops the best chance of reclaiming the Scottish Premiership crown.

O’Neill’s return to Parkhead came far earlier and under far more chaotic circumstances than anyone at the club would have envisaged. Wilfried Nancy’s brief and disastrous 33-day spell in charge forced Celtic into a swift change of direction, leaving the hierarchy scrambling to stabilise the season.

With the Premiership now shaping into a three-horse title race, Celtic find themselves in unfamiliar territory. At the time of writing, they sit third in the table, having been overtaken by rivals and losing ground at a critical stage of the campaign. The margin for error is slim, and there is a growing sense that decisive action is required.

O’Neill cannot shoulder the burden alone. Reinforcements are needed, and quickly. January recruitment will need to be both efficient and impactful, with little room for long-term projects or developmental signings. Former Celtic striker and current pundit Chris Sutton believes one area, in particular, demands urgent attention — the forward line.

Sutton has already floated a potential solution, arguing that Celtic should not shy away from taking a calculated gamble to strengthen their attack.

Celtic entered the season short of firepower after a problematic summer transfer window. The sale of Adam Idah left a significant gap up front, and the club failed to adequately replace him before the window closed. That decision has since come back to haunt them.

As a result, then-manager Brendan Rodgers was forced to turn to the free-agent market, bringing in Kelechi Iheanacho. While the Nigerian striker offered experience and pedigree, his impact has been limited by ongoing injury issues, leaving Celtic light in numbers and options in the final third.

That lack of depth has only grown more concerning as the season has progressed. O’Neill himself has all but confirmed that signing a striker in January is unavoidable, describing the position as one that must be addressed if Celtic are to mount a serious title push.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Sutton was characteristically blunt in his assessment of Celtic’s situation. He suggested that improving on Celtic’s current striking options should not be an insurmountable task and pointed towards Premier League experience as a potential solution.

Sutton referenced West Ham forward Callum Wilson, whose contract situation has sparked speculation. Wilson, now 33, has a history of injury problems, but Sutton believes Celtic may have little choice but to take a risk.

According to Sutton, the club’s current predicament is not where Celtic or their supporters would want to be, but it is the reality they face. With Hearts six points ahead and Rangers having drawn level, the urgency is undeniable.

Sutton also used the opportunity to criticise what he perceives as complacency within the club. He argued that a mindset focused solely on finishing above Rangers, rather than consistently pushing standards higher, has contributed to the current decline.

Reflecting on recent seasons, Sutton pointed to Celtic’s Champions League campaign just a year ago, when they pushed Bayern Munich close and appeared to be moving in the right direction on the European stage. The contrast with the present situation, he suggested, is stark.

However, Sutton stressed that the focus must now be on the short term. With the title still within reach, Celtic must act decisively. For him, the priority is simple: back Martin O’Neill in the transfer market and give him the tools required to compete until the end of the season.

Turning to the practicalities of the striker search, Callum Wilson remains a name of interest largely due to circumstance rather than concrete links. The former England international has managed to stay fit for much of the current campaign and has scored four Premier League goals for West Ham. Despite his age and injury record, his experience could appeal to Celtic if the opportunity arises.

That said, there have been no strong indications that a move is imminent or even realistic at this stage, and any deal would likely depend on financial considerations and Wilson’s willingness to make the switch to Scottish football.

Elsewhere, previous links to Wessam Abou Ali of Columbus Crew appear to have faded. With Nancy no longer at Celtic, the prospect of leveraging his connections in Major League Soccer has diminished significantly, making a move for the Egyptian forward increasingly unlikely.

Celtic have also been linked with Ibrahim Diabate, the current top scorer in Sweden’s Allsvenskan. While Diabate’s goal record has attracted attention, it remains unclear whether Celtic will intensify their interest or pursue more experienced options given the immediate pressure on O’Neill to deliver results.

Looking back to the summer window, Celtic had explored moves for Kasper Dolberg and Louis Munteanu. However, both players are now considered unattainable in January, either due to their club situations or prohibitive costs.

Chris Sutton speaking on the SPFL’s The Warm-Up podcast Credit: The Warm-Up/YouTube

As the window approaches, Celtic face a delicate balancing act. They must strengthen quickly without compromising long-term planning, all while navigating a title race that has tightened considerably. Sutton’s comments underline the sense that pragmatism must trump caution.

For Celtic, January is no longer about planning for the future — it is about survival in the present. The club’s ambitions, credibility, and silverware hopes may well hinge on whether they can land the right striker to support O’Neill’s bid to restore order and reclaim the Premiership crown.