Jim Goodwin has told Celtic that Jamie McGrath should be on their list of transfer targets.
The 24-year-old midfielder has had an outstanding season with St Mirren with Aberdeen reported to be showing interest as Stephen Glass rebuilds his side.
Goodwin has steered St Mirren to the semi-finals of both cup competitions with the goals and attacking play of McGrath a key element in their success after two near misses with relegation through a Play-Off victory and last day win over Hearts to send the Jambos down last season.
Celtic are facing a major clear out this summer with Scott Brown moving to Aberdeen while Ryan Christie and Olivier Ntcham look like moving on as they enter the final year of their contracts.
Last summer Celtic signed David Turnbull from Motherwell with Goodwin telling The Sun that there is another ready made first team player along the M8 in Paisley:
For me, Jamie McGrath is a Celtic player. I look at some of the lads who are there now, like David Turnbull, Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie.
I can see Jamie being among that level. I don’t want him leaving and going down to League One in England because they might double his money.
If he’s going to leave I want it to be a top club that’s going to compete and win things, and help him progress and take his game to the next level.
Jamie’s a very intelligent and level-headed young man, and he won’t be influenced by the first decent offer. It won’t be all down to finances. He will have a look at what his options are, and if he believes staying at St Mirren is best for him I’ve no doubt that’s what he’ll do.
He’s got an inner belief and knows how good he’s capable of being. He’s by no means the finished article. He’s at a great age, two or three years before he hits his prime.
With 15 goals this season, including two against Steven Gerrard’s side in St Mirren’s Betfred Cup victory in December, Celtic will be well aware of McGrath’s ability. In January 2018 Celtic signed Lewis Morgan from St Mirren while he was playing in the Championship.
McGrath has two u-19 and two u-21 caps for Ireland.