Celtic told to launch transfer move for ex Newcastle United star with West Ham future in doubt

Celtic have been urged to make a move for a former Newcastle United striker - as he nears a West Ham United exit.

The Hoops have sacked Wilfried Nancy as head coach and former boss Martin O’Neill has returned until the end of the season. He is keen on recruits to help their Premiership title bid, sitting six points off leaders Hearts, and the striker department is likely to be one area targeted.

Callum Wilson is closing in on an exit from West Ham United after leaving Newcastle United last summer after five years at the Toon. His injury record has come under scrutiny but Celtic hero Chris Sutton suggested him this week as the type of striker the Hoops might need to take a punt on this January transfer window.. Alan Stubbs does not think the West Ham star would be a roll of the dice and reckons he’d become Scotland’s leading marksman were the Hoops to make a move.

Callum Wilson to Celtic verdict

Former Celtic star Stubbs told the Daily Record: “I think he's quality, there's no doubt he's quality. If Celtic were to get Wilson, and he is playing to the levels that he can be, he's the best striker in Scotland. There's no doubt about that. I know he's been on a pay-per-play contract at West Ham, and that's gone. To be honest, a six-month contract at Celtic at the end of the season, for me, is not a gamble.

“He's somebody who knows he can score goals. He probably fits the profile of a player that Martin seems to get the best out of as well. Martin will have in his head a profile of certain positions, what he's expecting from it. Martin's most important business right now is sitting down with the recruitment team and going through what was our target for January, and saying yes, no, no, no, yes, yes, yes.

“Who's available? What's the price? What's the wages? Can we get them? If he can come through this transfer window bringing in however many players he feels he needs and if he can get them across the line, that could be the most important three weeks of Celtic's season.

Where do Celtic need to make transfer moves in January window?

“I think the one thing you've got between the two managers is that they would certainly trust Martin's judgement more than what Wilfried Nancy had. Wilfried Nancy hadn't gained the trust, and I think that's very important, especially when you're looking to outlay significant investments in players.

“I really do think Celtic have to go back to not taking gambles. Obviously their policy is to try and bring them young, make them sellable assets, and then they move on for significant amounts of money. Right at this moment in time, I honestly believe that Celtic need to try and be tested.

“When you're going into a market that you've not really been involved with over a number of years, there's an element of luck involved. I think there's an element of luck involved in every transfer.”