West Ham transfer exit looms for 'brave' Celtic strike target who would 'bring excitement' to Scottish football
Former Newcastle United hitman is set to become a free agent as he attempts to rip up his deal at the London Stadium
Celtic have been warned to tread carefully and give serious consideration to Callum Wilson’s injury record and lack of game time amid links to the Scottish champions.
The out-of-favour West Ham United frontman is one of the standout names being touted with a mid-season move to Parkhead as Hoops boss Martin O’Neill prioritises the addition of a prolific hitman to sort out their attacking woes.
Nine-times capped England international Wilson is expected to become a free agent in the coming days as he prepares to rip up his deal with the relegation-threatened Londoners.
The experienced 33-year-old has carved out an impressive career south of the border since making his senior breakthrough at Coventry City - while ex Dundee and Dunfermline boss James McPake was on the club’s books.
Celtic have already turned down some of the players that have been put to O’Neill this month as the transfer window approaches the halfway point.
Callum Wilson’s former team-mate offers insight into what type of player Celtic could get
And McPake reckons that a “brave” striker would arrive in Glasgow’s east end if the champions swooped for Wilson.
He told the Go Radio Football Show: “If Callum Wilson was fully fit, we wouldn't be getting him to Scotland - we all know that; a player of that calibre. But maybe now he has been out for so long.
“I would love to see it, because I know him personally and I know how good a player he would be. If he is fit - which is a big if unfortunately for Callum - but if he is fit and at it he would certainly come in and help a starting eleven, and not just be a squad player. Celtic need that right now.
“He was 17 or 18 but was training with the first-team. He made his debut at a young age, and has went on to have a fantastic career. When you come across certain players, you do follow their career.
“Even when he was young, he was really brave, quick and dynamic striker. He had bags of potential at that point, so you follow his career and he goes down to Bournemouth and obviously does well down there. He goes to Newcastle, and gets called up for England, and scores goals for them as well.
“When a name like that pops up (for Celtic) I think it should bring excitement, but what comes with Callum is the lack of games he has played recently and the serious injuries he has had.
“If it wasn't for his injuries we wouldn't even be talking about him coming to Scottish football.”
Wilson has played no part in the Hammers’ last two matchday squads as he tries to negotiate the termination of his contract, after scoring just four goals for the struggling Premier League outfit this term.
TalkSPORT claim his deal could to be ripped up “by the end of the week”.