Celtic are reportedly tracking Dundee midfielder Luke McCowan following his exploits at Dens Park during last campaign.
Overall, the 26-year-old made 41 appearances across all competitions, notching ten goals and five assists from midfield [Transfermarkt].
Last week, reports emerged stating that Celtic were ‘understood’ to be monitoring the Greenock-born amid the reality he is contracted for one more year on Tayside.
McCowan has thrived under Tony Docherty and proved he can handle the step up from the Scottish Championship, completing 34 dribbles and creating 59 chances on league duty.
In Brendan Rodgers’ first tenure at Parkhead, the Irishman brought in the likes of Jack Hendry, Scott Bain and Jonny Hayes from other Scottish Premiership clubs. In light of this, could there be a change in transfer strategy afoot at Parkhead?
Celtic’s recruitment and where the Scottish Premiership fits
With the increased emphasis on finding value for money across the globe, Celtic haven’t done an awful lot of shopping in their own domestic scene over the last few years.
Benjamin Siegrist was the last player to move to Parkhead from another club in the Scottish top flight when he joined from Dundee United on a free transfer two years ago.
Acquiring homegrown players from the Scottish Premiership has become even more of a rarity. David Turnbull was the last man to tread that path, swapping Motherwell for Celtic in the summer of 2020.
Recently, free agents Scott McKenna and Stuart Armstrong have been floated as two options with experience north of the border that could help to fill the Bhoys’ trained-in-Scotland quota slots for European competition.
Nevertheless, this could be where McCowan comes into play. The former Ayr United man is a versatile presence capable of functioning as a central midfielder, in the ten position, or on the right flank.
Fundamentally, the fact he has a year on his deal could also prove financially advantageous. Dundee won’t want to risk losing him for free in 2025, so they may opt to recoup a fee for his services while they can.
Undoubtedly, Celtic will have their eye on targets from all over the world, but with Rodgers’ previous history of buying from Scottish sides, they shouldn’t ignore the domestic scene if an attractive proposition crops up.