The summer transfer window is officially open and Celtic supporters will be hoping to see plenty of first team reinforcements arriving over the next few months.
Martin O’Neill is staying on as head coach and the veteran gaffer can now get to work in building a team to once again push for the Scottish Premiership title.
It looks set to be another busy window across Scotland with plenty of transfer news already circulating in the media.
A new report has the Glasgow club linked with a Scotland international striker just half a year after his last high-profile move.
It could prove a significant piece of business if they are able to get a deal over the line ahead of their rivals.
Reports from Italy claim that Celtic have made initial contact with Serie A side Hellas Verona over a move for striker Kieron Bowie.
The 23-year-old only moved to the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi in January but wasn’t able to prevent Verona from finishing second bottom of the Italian top flight.
Following their difficult campaign, the club was relegated to Serie B, sparking rumors of a quick departure for several players.
Bowie scored four goals in 14 appearances for Hellas last season, showing flashes of his true potential despite the club’s struggles.
Before his move to Italy, he had netted nine times in all competitions for Hibs in the first half of the domestic campaign.
His impressive efforts at Easter Road not only earned him the big-money move to Italy but also saw him called up to the Scotland national squad.
He has so far been capped twice for his country, indicating his rapid rise within the Scottish football hierarchy.
He missed out on selection by Steve Clarke for this summer’s FIFA World Cup finals, which was a disappointment for the player.
However, a move to Celtic Park could immediately reignite his international fortunes and put him back in the national team frame.
Hibs originally signed the forward from English Premier League side Fulham in 2024 for a fee believed to be around £600,000.
The Easter Road outfit made ten times that amount when they sold him to Verona after an impressive initial season and a half in Edinburgh.
That massive profit was secured despite a few injury setbacks during his time playing in the Scottish top flight.
He had previously spent two highly successful seasons on loan at English Football League side Northampton Town.
During his time there, he helped them gain automatic promotion to League One, proving his capability in physical leagues.
In total, he made 85 appearances across his two loan seasons with Northampton and scored 14 goals for the club.
Despite his good form on loan, he was ultimately unable to break into the star-studded first team with Fulham.
The London club had previously signed him as a teenage prospect from Raith Rovers back in 2020.
Raith Rovers happens to be the Kirkcaldy-born attacker’s hometown club, where he first developed his football skills.
Bowie originally burst onto the scene at Stark’s Park while they were still competing in SPFL League One.
He scored ten goals in 35 appearances during the 2019/20 campaign despite his incredibly young age at the time.
That standout season was what originally earned him his dream move to Craven Cottage, where he slotted into their reserve side.
He later gained invaluable experience playing in European competitions during his successful stint with Hibs.
This included a memorable wonder strike against Serbian club FK Partizan Belgrade in UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying.
He was also a consistent regular for the Scotland under-21 team before eventually aging out of the youth setup.
Now, Celtic are looking to bring the talented young forward back to the SPFL after just six months abroad.
The Hoops’ recruitment team believes his physical profile and sharp movement would add a different dimension to their attacking options.
With European football guaranteed at Celtic Park, the project is an incredibly enticing one for the young striker.
Negotiations are still in the very early stages, with Celtic simply testing the waters regarding Verona’s financial valuation.
The Italian club may be forced to sell some of their higher earners to balance the books following their relegation from Serie A.
This economic reality could play right into Celtic’s hands as they look to negotiate a realistic transfer fee.
Supporters are keeping a close eye on developments, eager to see if the board will back the manager with early signings.
Securing a young, hungry Scotland international would be viewed as a massive statement of intent for the upcoming season.
For Bowie, the chance to play under an experienced manager like Martin O’Neill could be the perfect catalyst for his development.
The opportunity to compete for major silverware and play in front of 60,000 fans every second week is a powerful draw.
As the window progresses, this story is likely to gather pace as both clubs look to finalize their roster plans.
Whether a deal can be struck remains to be seen, but Celtic’s interest in the forward is completely genuine.
The coming weeks will reveal if Bowie will be making a dramatic return to Scottish football to wear the famous green and white hoops.
