Celtic are looking at alternative options to Norwich City striker Adam Idah with the Scottish Premiership champions potentially hi-jacking Rangers’ move for Hearts frontman Lawrence Shankland.
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It is nearly a month now since Celtic saw an opening bid of around £4 million rejected by Norwich City for last season’s loan star.
Adam Idah, HITC understands, is valued at around twice that figure at Carrow Road.
And with new Norwich coach Johannes Hoff Thorup making it clear that he always planned to take a close look at Idah during pre-season – a sale early in the summer would have been a ‘stupid’ move, he felt – Celtic could be in for an anxious wait if they continue to pursue the Republic of Ireland international as their number one striker target.
As such, alternative options are now being considered at Parkhead.
Celtic move for Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland
HITC have been told that Celtic are now stepping up their pursuit of Lawrence Shankland as an agreement with Norwich continues to prove elusive.
A proven, prolific goalscorer north of the border, Shankland won both the Scottish Premiership Golden Boot and the division’s Player of the Year award in 2023/24.
In total, the Scotland international hit the target 31 times in all competitions. His record at Heart of Midlothian is nothing short of staggering (59 goals in two seasons) while Shankland has now netted at least 28 times in five of the last seven campaigns.
A deal for the former Ayr and Dundee United talisman should, in theory, prove more affordable than Idah.
Shankland’s contract at Tynecastle runs out in 2025. It is understood that he is ready for a fresh start too, a move to the Old Firm likely to appeal to a Glasgow-born 28-year-old who might not get such an opportunity again at his age.
Rangers are currently in pole position. But Celtic have now made enquiries of their own ahead of a potential hi-jacking of their Glasgow neighbours.
Shankland, who captains Hearts, is reportedly valued in the region of £3 million, per the Daily Record. He has also scored six times in just ten games against Celtic. Three of those came last term as Hearts won two of their five meetings with Brendan Rodgers’ Premiership champions.
Hoops eye Adam Idah alternatives
“(Shankland can) do things off the cuff,” Hearts team-mate Frankie Kent tells the Record, drawing comparisons with his one-time Peterborough United talisman Ivan Toney.
“Lawrence uses his body so well. He’s strong. He’s got all the basic stuff. Then, he’ll wriggle out of a situation and do stuff that leaves you asking how created the space.”
“He’s brilliant and he’s our main man. We know if we stay in a game, Lawrence will find something special for us. He’s been unplayable.”
One-time Celtic poacher Kenny Miller, meanwhile, feels that Shankland would be like a moth to a flame should The Hoops agree a deal with Hearts, jumping at the opportunity to fight for silverware and play Champions League football.
“I don’t think there would be any convincing to do there at all,” Miller tells Clyde SuperScoreboard.
“If Lawrence Shankland at this stage of his career saw either of the Old Firm come calling, he would want to make it happen. He would want to work for a manager like Brendan Rodgers. That would be a massive plus for him.
“(Rodgers) has got a brilliant track record of taking players up a few levels. I don’t think he would take any convincing.”
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