Celtic have set their sights on a move for Hibernian’s in-demand Scotland striker Kevin Nisbet.
The Parkhead club, who yesterday sealed Ange Postecoglou’s first signing with the capture of Sheffield Wednesday defender Osaze Urhoghide on a four-year deal, are looking to secure more new arrivals before their Champions League qualifer against Midtjylland.
Leigh Griffiths was yesterday handed a last chance to save his Celtic career after penning a 12-month contract extension.
But the club need fresh blood up front and work has begun to establish how much it would cost to lure Nisbet from Easter Road, with the Edinburgh outfit thought to be holding out for more than £4million.
A late substitute in all three of Scotland’s Euro 2020 games against the Czech Republic, England and Croatia, the 24-year-old returns to pre-season training this weekend, with Celtic among a number of interested clubs.
Birmingham City had a package worth £3.2m turned down in January, and the Championship side remain in the hunt for Nisbet alongside Swansea, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Russian club FC Krasnodar.
Hibs are prepared to speak to potential suitors but have no need to sell and, with a hefty sell-on due to Nisbet’s former club Dunfermline, will insist on a fee in excess of £4m.
Speaking in April, boss Jack Ross admitted a deal for Griffiths might be something the club would consider if the opportunity arose, and the 30-year-old could still emerge as a makeweight in any agreement for boyhood Hoops supporter Nisbet.
Last night Celtic confirmed the arrival of 20-year-old free agent Urhoghide. Born in Holland, the defender moved to England as a child, starting out at AFC Wimbledon.
Celtic have already signed midfielder Liam Shaw from Sheffield Wednesday and, after capturing a second Owls player, Postecoglou told Celtic’s official website: ‘It’s great. He’s someone that the club’s been tracking for a while and, when I came on board, I managed to have a meeting with him and he’s a good young man, he’s very ambitious.
‘He’s just beginning his football career, but he shows all the attributes on and off the field to want to become a top player, so it’s great to get him here.
‘He can play a couple of positions at the back and, most importantly, he’s really keen to learn and develop and I think this will be a great environment for him.
‘He’s a modern defender. He’s good athletically, he’s mobile, he’s quick and he wants to get on the ball.
‘He can play a couple of different positions and, from our perspective, and the way we want to play our football, there are certain things I look for in players irrespective of age, and he’s got some really good attributes to be a top defender.
‘The most important thing is he’s got a real desire to reach the very top. He’s excited about joining the club, which is important to me because that’s the first thing I want to hear from players, that they’re really keen to join us.’
Former Australia boss Postecoglou has also handed Leigh Griffiths one last opportunity to salvage his Celtic career.
The troubled Scotland striker will be back in the fold for a pre-season training camp in Wales, with the new boss saying: ‘I am really pleased to keep Leigh with us for another season at least. I have had very positive conversations with Leigh and he clearly understands my expectations and more importantly the club’s.
‘Leigh has already proven himself as one of the top strikers in Scotland and I look forward to working with him so that we can bring success to Celtic Football Club.’
Griffiths said: ‘I am delighted to extend my time at the club. Celtic is a club I love and want to do all I can to play my part again in bringing success to our supporters.
‘I’m looking forward to the season ahead and working with the new gaffer and the rest of the lads. It is an exciting time for the club and I wanted to be part of the club’s future. I’ll be doing everything I can to help us get back to where we all want to be.’
