Celtic were reportedly planning contract to sign Nick Powell, suddenly he isn’t needed

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Wigan Athletic’s Championship ace Nick Powell was previously linked with a move to Celtic.

Celtic’s links with Wigan Athletic talisman Nick Powell have grown a little cold in recent weeks. So it will be interesting to see whether a potential deal is still on the cards heading into the January transfer window.

The Sun reported in September that Celtic are preparing a lucrative contract to sign the former Manchester United youngster, who is out of contract at the end of the season and understood to be valued at around £5 million (TEAMtalk).

And, at the time, this made perfect sense. Celtic had endured their worst start to a domestic season for 20 years, failing to score away to St Mirren and managing only one goal against Rangers, Hamilton and Aberdeen.

And Powell is a number 10 that looked like Celtic’s missing link, someone capable of scoring and creating from just off the front. He has scored or assisted nine goals in 15 Championship games for Wigan this season already and fired them to the League One title back in May to boot.

But Celtic’s sudden upturn in form, and their purple patch in front of goal, has coincided with speculation over a move for Powell dying down. And this is surely no coincidence.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have rediscovered their mojo in recent weeks, scoring a remarkable 20 goals in their last four Scottish Premiership games – including five against league leaders Hearts at the weekend.

Tom Rogic has put the early-season fitness issues behind him, Scott Sinclair has reignited his Celtic career with an inspired run of form while even Ryan Christie, who looked set to depart when his contract ran out next summer, has chipped in with goals in three successive games in all competitions.

Suddenly, the attacking midfield role that Powell would have occupied looks well stocked with Lewis Morgan, albeit a wide player by trade, getting chances off the bench too in recent weeks. So, as it stands, there are other areas of Rodgers’ squad which would benefit a little more from reinforcements.