Celtic wrapped up their fourth signing of the January transfer window so far with the addition of Suwon Bluewings striker Oh Hyeon-gyu last week, with the Premiership champions having seemingly been chasing a new centre-forward amid the expected departure of Giorgos Giakoumakis.
Should the latter depart before tonight’s transfer deadline, amid interest from the likes of Atlanta United and Urawa Red Diamonds, it would be no real surprise if Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou were to pursue another striking addition in the near future, either today or for the summer.
There had been suggestions back in mid-November – prior to the speculation surrounding Giakoumakis – that the Old Firm giants were eyeing another attacking option to provide competition for both the Greek marksman and Kyogo Furuhashi, with it then not out of the question that signing of Oh could be followed by another goalscoring figure.
One man who has been linked with a move to Celtic of late is Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet, with The Scottish Sun claiming earlier this month that the 25-year-old had come back on the Hoops’ radar after previously being linked with a move to Parkhead in 2021.
The “wonderful” talent – as lauded by Frank McAvennie – has remained at Easter Road following the collapse of his potential £2m move to Millwall, with that potentially allowing Postecoglou and Celtic the chance to pounce.
The Scotland international has warranted such attention, having been “absolutely flying” of late according to pundit Tam McManus after netting eight goals in just seven Premiership games since his recent return from injury.
The ten-cap striker now boasts a haul of 35 goals in 89 games in all competitions for the Edinburgh outfit, after previously bagging 23 goals in just 32 games at former club Dunfermline, plus 34 goals in 46 for Raith Rovers.
A player who has proven clinical wherever he has been, Nisbet would bring an almost guaranteed supply of goals to Celtic, particularly if he can feed off the quality service which would be provided by those around him.
The hope would be that the Hibs talisman could former a devastating partnership with the Bhoys’ new-found creative hub Aaron Mooy, with the Australian currently pulling the strings in his playmaking midfield berth.
The 32-year-old has been in “outstanding” form since returning from World Cup duty, in the words of his manager, having cemented his place in the team ahead of Matt O’Riley and alongside Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor.
That consistency of selection – which has seen the 5 foot 9 maestro start four of the last six league games – appears to be paying off, with the midfielder having provided six goal involvements in that time.
The recent victory over Dundee United showcased the former Huddersfield Town man’s growing importance to the Hoops, as he teed up Jota for the opening goal while also providing three key passes in total to illustrate his relentless creative brilliance.
For Nisbet to be supplied by a player of such genuine quality could prove to be a match made in heaven, with that duo surely one that both Postecoglou and Celtic supporters would love to see.