Celtic handed blow in transfer race for Scotland international

Celtic are expected to add to their ranks in the upcoming January transfer window. While Ange Postecoglou’s side have done very well this season and already secured their first piece of silverware, winning the Scottish League Cup last weekend, it is safe to say that there is a lot of work to be done. The squad depth is not good at the moment and we have seen the manager scramble for options at times.

The recent series of injuries have left Celtic in a very risky position and it is incredible that they have continued winning despite the odds. It must be said though that this is not sustainable.

The club have been linked with players like Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi recently. But one area that they also need to strengthen in soon is centre-back.

In this regard, John Souttar is a very interesting option to consider. The Hearts defender has been in brilliant form this season and on top of that, his current deal is set to expire next summer. Thus, several clubs are believed to be interested in his signature and Celtic have been handed a transfer blow.

Celtic handed transfer blow in Souttar race

With his contract quickly running down, rumours have suggested that Souttar could be available for a transfer fee around £500,000 in January.

Both Celtic and the Rangers have been linked with him in recent times along with multiple clubs from England. And it looks like Souttar could potentially be headed down South.

As reported by Lancs Live, Stoke City are understood to be in pole position to sign the Hearts central defender.

As a result, it looks like a move for Souttar might not be on the cards for Celtic. The club do have three options at centre-back in the form of Carl Starfelt, Stephen Welsh and Cameron Carter-Vickers, who is on loan. But Christopher Jullien’s continuing injury problems have made matters complicated for Postecoglou.