Nicky Hammond was spotted watching Partick Thistle v Dundee United today according to a report in The Sun.
Celtic’s Head of Football Operations could simply be casting an eye over next Saturday’s Scottish Cup opponents but during the month of January almost every moment is dedicated towards transfer business.
Hammond was reported to have watched Yonatan Cohen of Maccabi Tel Aviv recently with the most obvious target at Firhill being Lawrence Shankland.
The Dundee United striker didn’t disappoint with today’s hat-trick in his side’s 4-1 taking his total for United to 24 from 23 matches with Robbie Nielson’s side cruising their way back to the top flight at the fourth time of asking. United are 17 points clear of second placed Inverness Caley Thistle with 15 matches left to play.
Shankland joined United on a free transfer during the summer, signing a three year contract that makes him one of the highest paid players in Scotland.
Should Celtic put in a £1.25m bid now to sign Shankland?
Yes, let's get it done and dusted
No, we need a higher quality striker
United will be reluctant to sell their leading scorer in January but with a commanding lead and a few Celtic players available to go out on loan a deal could be completed before the transfer window closes.