Celtic now considering January hijack to sign Rangers target David Watson

Celtic are now considering a January bid to sign Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson, who is also being targeted by bitter rivals Rangers.

Following Brendan Rodgers’ resignation, Martin O’Neill has been keeping things steady at Parkhead, with the veteran manager winning his first three matches in charge, most recently defeating Rangers in the Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden.

Extra-time goals from Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand secured a 3-1 victory for the Hoops, setting up a clash with St. Mirren on December 14th, although O’Neill was none the wiser, given his response when asked if he would take charge of the final.

The interim boss said: “I was 73 on Monday, I’m 94 now! I don’t even know when the final is. I would imagine the club are making inroads to a permanent manager.”

Reaching a final is always cause for optimism, but the 55-time Scottish champions’ league form suggests they need to make improvements in the winter window, currently sitting nine points behind league-leaders Hearts.

Celtic considering January bid to sign David Watson

According to a report from The Herald, Celtic are now considering a January bid to sign Kilmarnock midfielder Watson, with the 20-year-old’s current contract due to expire at the end of the campaign, meaning he is free to negotiate pre-contract terms with other clubs.

The Hoops may have to hijack Rangers, however, with it last month being revealed their rivals have also identified the youngster, who could be Danny Rohl’s first signing, as a transfer target.

Foreign clubs have also expressed an interest in the midfielder, which means Kilmarnock could cash-in this January, although they may also choose to retain him until the end of the season to boost their chances of finishing higher in the Scottish Premiership.

Kilmarnock vice-captain Robbie Deas has waxed lyrical about the starlet’s work ethic in the past, saying: “Davey’s fantastic, honestly. He’s one of the hardest workers you’ll ever meet. He’s absolutely fantastic. You see that today, and he’s putting those tackles in later on.”

Not only that, but the Scotland U21 international is already very experienced at senior level, despite his age, making 117 appearances for the Kilmarnock first team, and he has already scored three league goals in 11 outings this term.

As such, there are clear signs Watson could be capable of making the step-up to a club the size of Celtic, but their main priority should be to bring in a permanent replacement for Rodgers.

O’Neill’s solid start has bought Dermot Desmond & co some time, but bringing in a top manager could really help put the pressure on Hearts, with Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen, who has won four league titles in the last five seasons, recently emerging as an option.

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Chelsea hatch Mykhailo Mudryk plan in ‘carefully considered’ roadmap to rescue career

Mykhailo Mudryk’s career at Chelsea remains in limbo as the Ukrainian winger continues serving a provisional suspension.

The £88.5 million signing last featured for the Blues in November 2024, scoring in a Conference League victory over Heidenheim before disappearing from matchday squads entirely.

Chelsea's MykhailoMudryk

The FA formally charged Mudryk in June following confirmation that his ‘B’ sample tested positive for meldonium, a prohibited performance-enhancing substance.

The charge carries potential sanctions ranging from several months to a maximum four-year ban, though significant uncertainty surrounds the case’s resolution timeline.

Mudryk has steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, insisting the positive test came as ‘complete shock’ and that he never knowingly consumed banned substances.

Ukrainian journalist Igor Burbas offered an intriguing explanation, suggesting Mudryk received a stem cell injection during national team duty to address discomfort that was limiting his performance.

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According to the report, these stem cells allegedly originated from a cow exposed to meldonium, inadvertently contaminating Mudryk’s sample.

Shakhtar Donetsk chief executive Sergei Palkin recently confirmed Mudryk passed a polygraph test and continues building his defence case, though formal results remain pending.

Palkin revealed substantial financial stakes beyond Mudryk’s career, with Shakhtar potentially forfeiting €30 million in performance-related bonuses if the winger cannot return to action.

Chelsea have provided Mudryk with an individualised fitness programme during his exile from the Cobham training ground, though his number ten shirt was reassigned to Cole Palmer this summer.

The club also signed Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens during his absence, significantly diminishing his prospects of a first-team role under Enzo Maresca, even if the 24-year-old is eventually cleared.

Luckily for Mudryk, the west Londoners apparently have a plan for that scenario.

Chelsea hatch Mykhaylo Mudryk plan in roadmap to rescue his career

According to reports from Spain, Chelsea have devised a ‘carefully considered’ strategy to ‘rescue’ Mudryk’s career following his prolonged doping suspension that has sidelined him for over a year.

The club apparently plan to loan him to sister club Strasbourg, their sister club in Ligue 1, once his ban concludes.

Rather than severing ties with their near-£100 million investment, Chelsea believe a spell in French football offers Mudryk the ideal environment to rebuild both physically and mentally.

The move would also provide fewer eyes compared to the Premier League’s intense spotlight, allowing Mudryk to rediscover his confidence through regular competitive action.

Stamford Bridge officials view the Strasbourg loan as mutually beneficial for all parties.

Mudryk gains essential playing time in a competitive league without overwhelming pressure, while Strasbourg acquire a player of significant talent, and Chelsea can monitor his development from a safe distance before determining his long-term future.

Contracted until 2031, BlueCo still have plenty of time to weigh up a decision on this, and hope that they can recover at least some of the eye-watering cash they spent on Mudryk in 2023.

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