Celtic-linked striker opens contract talks with current club

Celtic need to sign a striker this January to compete for the starting spot with Kyogo and Oh Hyeon-gyu. The Hoops have not been good enough in front of goal in the ongoing campaign and that is one of the main reasons behind their struggles under the management of Brendan Rodgers. Hopefully, things will change after the winter break.

Celtic have been linked with quite a few strikers in recent times. But Lawrence Shankland might be the best option out of them all.

The Hearts captain has been the outstanding striker in Scottish football this season. It is not just that he is scoring for fun, but performing against the top teams as well.

Someone like Shankland would be a fantastic addition to this Celtic team. On current form, he could actually push Kyogo for the starting spot. But it looks like he might end up extending his stay at Hearts instead.

Celtic-linked striker opens contract talks with current club

As reported by Edinburgh News, Hearts have opened contract talks with Shankland as they try to extend his time at Tynecastle Park. Steven Naismith said:

"The club have started speaking to him at the moment and we will see where that goes."

Naismith further went on to add about his club captain's situation:

"I would say that what he has done over the last two seasons has pushed him into legendary status at the club, rather than simply being a really good signing. It's clear for everybody to see that he is a big part of it for us. He's got 18 months left on his contract and he is at an age where the decisions he makes are really important.

"There is speculation all the time and he needs to deal with that. He needs to work out what he really wants and that's where it lies."

Celtic are not the only top Scottish club to be linked with Shankland either. It is believed that the Rangers hold an interest in him as well.

It is not hard to understand why. Shankland has been fantastic in front of goal this season. According to stats from Transfermarkt, he has scored 18 goals and provided 3 assists in 28 appearances for Hearts in the ongoing campaign so far.

Celtic could certainly do with a striker with that kind of output right now. Can they get a deal done for him? Will they even make an attempt to sign him? Time shall tell.