Stephen McGowan
Celtic are contemplating a bid for coveted Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson in the January window.
The contract of the current Scotland under-21 captain team lapses at the end of this season.
Free to negotiate pre-contract terms with interested clubs in the New Year the 20-year-old is one of a number of Scottish players Celtic have placed under scrutiny as they look to maintain a minimum of eight homegrown players for their European squad.
A product of Kilmarnock’s youth academy Watson was shortlisted for the PFA Scotland young player of the year award in 2024 and has already racked up over 100 first team appearances. One of his three first team goals in the current campaign came in a 2-1 defeat to the SPFL champions at Rugby Park in September.
Overseas teams have also asked questions about the Prestwick born midfielder and, after dropping to tenth place in the league, Kilmarnock would have a decision to make if offers come in January.
Rated in the £1.2million bracket in the summer window, the price has dropped since then and the Ayrshire side might see more value now in retaining one of their biggest assets in order to enhance their hopes of Premiership survival and more prize money.
As regular competitors in Europe, Celtic and Rangers are now compelled to pay close attention their quota of homegrown players in order to name a full 25-man squad for UEFA club competitions.
UEFA rules stipulate that eight players must be homegrown, while the remaining 17 can be foreign.
These eight must be a combination of club-trained and association-trained players and failure to meet these quotas reduces the total number of players allowed – with Celtic travelling to Denmark for tomorrow night’s Europa League clash with Midtjylland with a squad of just 24 players as a consequence.
Discuss David Watson in the Transfer Rumours area at TalkCeltic.net.
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Would take him, really like him.
Hammy89, Maestro 08 and Dannybhoy81 like this. -
ILoveTheCeltic
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To me he looks hardworking and decent in the air but mediocre as a footballer. Not sure he'd ever really start but for cheap as a back-up wouldnt be terrible although even then im not sure i'd ever want him in the team.
I'd say he's like a mix of Lewis Ferguson and Armstrong, can run a bit like Armstrong and head a ball a bit like Ferguson.T.Rogne25 likes this. -
That's probably a very good analogy with Ferguson and Armstrong. He's the type of guy who will put the yards in and get tackles while also popping up with goals but not really someone you'd expect to control the midfield.
For the style we've adopted since Rodgers left I think he's a good option for the Nygren role. He will get in the box and get goals and also work his * off.
For a small fee he is well worth a punt. -
MynameisEarl
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I do like him to be fair. Looks tidy enough on the ball but has good physicality and aggression about him too which I think we need more of in our midfield.
Would probably need to punt one of Bernardo or Mcgowan though. -
McChiellini..
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Yep..
Got improvement in him and an abundance of energy that funnily enough would excel in the current MON setup..
Knew we'd be interested with his contract situation..
McCowan is a decent wee player but quite weak and no really quick. Watson has better attributes for that homegrown quota..Hammy89, Maestro 08 and Ryanm1984 like this. -
Dannybhoy81
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Would be happy with this, sign him in January and loan him back to Killie for 6 months.
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Lubo25Moravcik Sack the board ! Gold Member
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Didn't realise he was only 20. He got bullied against Falkirk at the weekend but see folk praising him on here quite often so pressume he has something about him.
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He's a tidy player, would be happy with this.
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ApartPidgeon
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Available on precontract -
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No brainer on a pre contract
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CookieMonster Geez yer cookies Gold Member
Destined for the huns unfortunately.
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Not a bad player
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What makes you say that?
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CookieMonster Geez yer cookies Gold Member
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Celtic should be all over this, because he is an excellent young midfielder, with pace and power. Plays the DM, which we badly need.
I rate him over Lennon Miller -
ThatBhoyLarsson
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Id take him, feel like we have missed on a fair amount of talent from Scotland recently with the likes of Ferguson, Miller McGinn going elsewhere.
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Double Dutch
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Can't say I've seen much of him, one game against Kilmarnock a while back he played well against us is all I can remember really. But obviously plenty tims have said he's a player and would sign him, so I've got to go with that.
Take. -
I like him but can see him going to “them”
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