Kieron Bowie open to Celtic switch as Diabate comments amid £10m striker hunt

Celtic’s hunt for a proven striker has intensified this month, and Hibernian forward Kieron Bowie has emerged as one of the leading domestic options under consideration as the champions attempt to solve a growing problem at the top end of the pitch.

With Martin O’Neill facing a shortage of fit attacking options, strengthening the forward line has become the club’s top priority in the January transfer window. At present, Johnny Kenny is the only fully fit senior striker available, while Kelechi Iheanacho, who arrived as a free agent after the summer window closed, has struggled to make an impact due to persistent injury setbacks. Celtic’s plans to bring Kyogo Furuhashi back to Parkhead collapsed last week, further underlining the urgency of their search for reinforcements.

As the club explores alternatives, Bowie’s name continues to surface. The Scotland international has been catching the eye at Hibs and is understood to be attracting interest from both Celtic and Rangers. Reports suggest that the Edinburgh club would be looking for a fee in the region of £6 million to part with their striker, but former Hibs midfielder Marvin Bartley believes a deal could be more realistic than many assume.

Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, Bartley claimed that Bowie would be keen on a move to Celtic if the opportunity arose. He suggested that the striker would walk straight into O’Neill’s starting line-up, given the current circumstances at Parkhead. Bartley argued that Daizen Maeda, who has filled in centrally at times, would likely return to a wide role, while Kenny and Iheanacho would struggle to keep Bowie out of the team.

Bartley acknowledged Iheanacho’s undoubted ability but pointed out that fitness issues have followed the Nigerian throughout his career, limiting his reliability. In contrast, he sees Bowie as a more natural number nine who could immediately improve Celtic’s attacking output. According to Bartley, the striker’s movement, physical presence and finishing would allow him to convert chances that have recently gone begging.

While the reported £6 million valuation may seem steep, Bartley played down the likelihood of Hibs holding out for an inflated fee if one of the Glasgow giants makes a firm approach. He explained that, like it or not, there remains a clear hierarchy in Scottish football. When Celtic or Rangers come calling, players are often eager to take the step up, and selling clubs understand the reality of the situation.

From Bartley’s perspective, Bowie would view a move to Celtic as a significant career opportunity. Regular involvement in title races, European football and the chance to compete for trophies would be difficult to turn down. As a result, Bartley believes the final price could be lower than expected once negotiations begin in earnest.

Bowie is not the only striker on Celtic’s radar. Ivory Coast forward Ibrahim Diabate has also been linked with a move to Glasgow’s east end. The £3 million-rated attacker has impressed during his time with Swedish side GAIS, scoring consistently and showing the physical and technical qualities that have drawn attention from clubs across Europe.

Diabate has already acknowledged interest from elsewhere, admitting that a proposed move to Le Havre previously fell through despite talks taking place. He also revealed that Auxerre had been in direct contact with his club. While he remains focused on his current situation, the 24-year-old has made it clear that he is open to new opportunities should the right offer arrive.

Elsewhere, speculation has resurfaced surrounding Union Berlin striker Andrej Ilic. Reports in Germany suggest that the 25-year-old could be on the move this month, with Burnley also credited with interest. Union Berlin are believed to be seeking a fee of between £7 million and £10 million, a figure that may prove prohibitive for Celtic unless significant funds are freed up.

Ibrahim Diabate celebrates scoring for GAIS (Image: Ibrahim Diabate / Instagram)

For now, the focus remains on finding a striker who can make an immediate impact. Celtic’s failure to replace Kyogo over the past year has left them exposed, and patience among supporters is wearing thin. Bowie represents a familiar, proven option within the Scottish game, while players like Diabate and Ilic offer alternatives from overseas.

As the window progresses, Celtic must decide whether to invest heavily in a domestic talent ready to contribute straight away or take a calculated gamble on a less established name from abroad. With goals at a premium and the pressure mounting, the club’s next move could prove decisive for the remainder of the season.