Celtic backed to land the best striker in Scotland

Celtic have been urged to move decisively in the January transfer window, with growing pressure on the club to secure a reliable source of goals as key fixtures loom. Ongoing uncertainty surrounding Kyogo Furuhashi’s situation has prompted the Hoops to widen their search, ensuring they are not left exposed if a swift resolution cannot be reached.

Soccer Football – Championship – Leicester City v Birmingham City – King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain – August 29, 2025 Birmingham City’s Kyogo Furuhashi reacts Action Images/Andrew Boyers EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR ‘LIVE’ SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..

Soccer Football – Premier League – West Ham United v Fulham – London Stadium, London, Britain – December 27, 2025 West Ham United’s Callum Wilson looks dejected after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR ‘LIVE’ SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..

Soccer Football – Champions League – Group E – Celtic v Feyenoord – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – December 13, 2023 Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow makes a save from Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Soccer Football – Premier League – AFC Bournemouth v West Ham United – Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain – November 22, 2025 West Ham United’s Callum Wilson celebrates scoring their second goal with Jean-Clair Todibo Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR ‘LIVE’ SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..

Soccer Football – Scottish League Cup Final – Hibernian v Celtic – Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – December 19, 2021 Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates with the trophy after winning the league cup final REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Soccer Football – Premier League – AFC Bournemouth v West Ham United – Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain – November 22, 2025 West Ham United’s Callum Wilson reacts Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR ‘LIVE’ SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – September 1, 2024 Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates scoring their second goal with Alistair Johnston and Nicolas Gerrit Kuhn REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Soccer Football – Premier League – West Ham United v Brighton & Hove Albion – London Stadium, London, Britain – December 30, 2025 West Ham United’s Callum Wilson in action with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jan Paul van Hecke REUTERS/Tony O Brien EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR ‘LIVE’ SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Rangers v Celtic – Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 2, 2025 Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi arrives at the stadium before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Soccer Football – Premier League – West Ham United v Brighton & Hove Albion – London Stadium, London, Britain – December 30, 2025 West Ham United’s Callum Wilson reacts REUTERS/Tony O Brien EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR ‘LIVE’ SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..

With time working against them, Celtic are increasingly conscious of the risks of delay. Martin O’Neill, back in charge and tasked with steadying the ship, is keen to add firepower as quickly as possible. The congested fixture list and the intensity of the title race mean there is little margin for error, and the club is determined to avoid entering decisive matches without sufficient attacking options.

Against this backdrop, attention has turned to alternative short-term solutions that could offer immediate impact without committing the club to long-term financial or sporting risk. One name now firmly in the conversation is Callum Wilson, who is currently available as a free agent following his departure from West Ham United.

Wilson’s availability has caught the attention of several observers, but it is former Celtic defender Alan Stubbs who has most strongly advocated for the move. Stubbs believes the experienced striker would be an ideal fit for O’Neill’s immediate requirements, citing his proven goalscoring ability, physicality, and understanding of the demands placed on a leading forward.

Speaking to RecordSport, Stubbs made it clear just how highly he rates Wilson. He insisted there is no doubt about the striker’s quality and claimed that, if performing at his best, Wilson would stand out as the top striker in Scottish football. For Stubbs, the question is not about ability, but about timing and opportunity.

He also pointed out that Wilson’s recent contract situation at West Ham reduces the risk involved. Having been on a pay-per-play deal that has now ended, Wilson is available without a transfer fee, making a short-term agreement far more appealing. Stubbs argued that offering the striker a six-month contract until the end of the season would not constitute a gamble, but rather a calculated and sensible move.

From Stubbs’ perspective, Wilson fits the type of player O’Neill has historically been able to get the best out of. He suggested that the Celtic manager will already have a clear idea of the profiles he wants in each position and the responsibilities he expects them to shoulder. Wilson, with his experience and self-belief in front of goal, aligns closely with those expectations.

Stubbs also questioned whether now is the right moment for Celtic to strictly adhere to their usual recruitment model. While the club has enjoyed success by signing younger players with resale value, he believes the current situation demands a different approach. With the season finely balanced, Stubbs feels Celtic need players who have been tested at the highest level and can handle pressure without needing time to adapt.

In his view, this is not the moment to take chances on potential. Instead, Celtic should prioritise certainty, reliability, and leadership, especially in attacking areas where matches can be decided by a single moment of quality. Wilson’s career, built on scoring goals in demanding environments, makes him a compelling option in that regard.

Celtic’s broader recruitment strategy has long been admired for its sustainability, but circumstances have shifted. With confidence fragile and the margin for error shrinking, the balance between long-term planning and short-term necessity has tilted. Experience, once seen as a luxury, is now being viewed as an essential ingredient.

O’Neill’s own track record supports this line of thinking. His most successful Celtic sides often relied on seasoned forwards who understood responsibility, thrived under scrutiny, and could deliver when stakes were highest. He has rarely shied away from placing trust in players with the mental strength to lead the line and carry expectation.

The discussion around Wilson also highlights the contrast between him and Kyogo Furuhashi. Kyogo offers familiarity, movement, and an emotional connection with supporters, while Wilson represents a more pragmatic solution shaped by availability and timing. One embodies continuity, the other certainty.

As the transfer window progresses, Celtic may ultimately decide that addressing their attacking issues requires more than one solution. Bringing in different types of forwards to meet different tactical needs remains a possibility. What is beyond doubt, however, is that patience is wearing thin.

With crucial months ahead and little room for missteps, the focus inside the club is firmly fixed on results. Whether through Wilson, Kyogo, or another option entirely, Celtic know they must act quickly and decisively if they are to maintain momentum and meet expectations during a pivotal phase of the season.