Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday has offered his assessment of the potential fee Celtic may need to pay to sign Tawanda Maswanhise from Motherwell, amid growing transfer speculation.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was in attendance at Motherwell’s Scottish Cup match against Ross County at the weekend, where Maswanhise scored his 15th goal of the season.
The Zimbabwe international, a team-mate of Halliday at Motherwell, has been strongly linked with a move to Celtic. However, Motherwell head coach Jens Berthel Askou has said the 23-year-old is not for sale during the January transfer window.
“I can only go off the fact I’m hearing £6.5million for Kieran Bowie and that’s probably the figure being banded about by Hibs.
“But I think if you are the top goalscorer in the league, and I’ve said this about clubs in our country outside the Old Firm, I think gone are the days when they are selling their assets for pennies.
“Look at the fee Lennon Miller just went for in the summer. I know he’s a different type of prospect.” Halliday added on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard.
Celtic are seen as urgently needing a striker, which could drive up prices and risk a panic signing.
The club will likely bring in at least one short-term loan striker, and possibly a second option aimed at long-term success.
“I think clubs just now know Celtic are desperate for a striker and Celtic could potentially be held to ransom with whoever they go for. Is there then a panic buy situation?
“I always felt Celtic would probably get definitely one but probably two strikers: one who is a short term option they can get on loan until the end of the season.
“I can’t see it being that difficult to find one and then potentially another one that could be a longer term success.”
Four clubs are showing interest in Motherwell and Zimbabwe international Tawanda Maswanhise. Rangers and Burnley have made initial approaches, while Celtic and Anderlecht are monitoring his situation.
