The French striker has been the star of the show in Scotland but will Celtic return to scour the second tier in January?
Celtic may be cruising towards the Scottish Premiership title as Old Firm rivals Rangers splutter on their dust, but that may not stop Brendan Rodgers attempting to widen the gap in January.
And, fresh from securing the sought-after signature of Moussa Dembele from Championship Fulham, who’s to say Celtic won’t return with moves for players who have impressed in the English second tier, to seek out more bargains?
Sam Gallagher
Bhoys fans across the world omitted a collective sigh of relief when talismanic goal machine Moussa Dembele, arguably their most talented centre-forward since the great Henrik Larsson, confirmed that he’s doesn’t see Celtic as a convenient stepping stone towards a more illustrious competition elsewhere on the continent.
After all, you can never have too many natural goalscorers. And, with Leigh Griffiths struggling to replicate the goal-a-game brilliance of last season, and Nadir Ciftci very much frozen out, the prospect of Rodgers enhancing his centre-forward options in January have certainly not been reduced.
However, with the Daily Mail claiming that Middlesbrough want to recoup the £9 million they paid for reported top target Jordan Rhodes, Celtic may be forced to lower their price parameters. And they could certainly do worse than taking a glance at Blackburn targetman Gallagher, whose future at parent club Southampton remains uncertain.
The towering targetman has scored seven times in the Championship this season and he would provide something Celtic lack up front; height and aerial prowess.
Lewis Dunk
John Hartson knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed at Celtic Park, so his advice is usually worth taking heed of.
“Celtic could do with a proper, powerhouse centre half — a defender who can dominate in both boxes,” the three-time SPL champion told the Scottish Sun recently.
And, if Celtic are to go down the Dembele route and steal a bargain from the second tier, Brighton’s Amex Stadium could be their first port of call. Lewis Dunk has been one of the Championship’s most consistent centre-halves for a number of years, with The Seagulls’ remarkable rise from League One to the automatic promotion places resting heavily upon the 25-year-old’s broad shoulders.
Strong in the air and reliable in possession, Dunk may not have the experience or title-winning mentality of Kolo Toure, but he could prove a useful upgrade on Jozo Simunovic or Erik Sviatchenko.
Oh, and did we mention that he’s scored nine goals in the last two seasons?
Wes Hoolahan
Celtic are rather set for central midfielders. The resurgent Scott Brown-Stuart Armstrong axis has reduced Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic to spectator status in recent weeks, meaning Rodgers is unlikely to add any more meat to the bone.
Then again, what Celtic possess in jack-of-all-trades, they lack in real specialists. And Wes Hoolahan is exactly that, a player born to craft and create, weave and scheme in tight spaces and even score the odd goal himself.
The Republic of Ireland international may be 34 but that does not mean his best years are behind him. Quite the opposite in fact. Hoolahan’s most recent seasons have arguably been the most impressive of his career, while his weaving wondergoal against Rotherham in October would not have looked out of place at the Camp Nou.
With The Canaries’ promotion push stalling, Hoolahan could migrate north for one last hurrah, having spent a short spell with Livingston earlier in his career.
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