Celtic, Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney are working relentlessly to try and strengthen the squad during the January transfer window.
The biggest talking point surrounds Celtic’s need for a striker, with Callum Wilson being linked with a move to Parkhead amid his current situation at West Ham United.
Wilson remains under contract with the Hammers, but following the club’s decision to sign two new forwards this month, as they continue to battle relegation in the Premier League, it has created an opportunity for their seasoned goalscorer to move on.
One individual who knows Wilson well is James McPake, having played alongside the England forward during his early days at Coventry City.
James McPake on playing with Celtic-linked Callum Wilson
Speaking on Go Radio, McPake claimed that a move for Wilson would generate a feeling of ‘excitement’ around Celtic.
The Scottish pundit detailed how ‘brave’ Wilson was in the early stages of his career, before progressing to spells at Bournemouth, Newcastle United and earning international recognition.
“He was certainly a bit younger than me,” said McPake. “He was 17 or 18. He was training with the first team, and he had made his debut at a young age.
Obviously, he has gone on to have a fantastic career. Even when he was young, he was brave. Really quick dynamic striker. He had bags of potential at that point.
“Then you follow his career. He goes down to Bournemouth. Does well down there. Goes to Newcastle and then gets called up and scores goals for England as well.
“When a name like that pops up, without even knowing the background. I think it should bring excitement.
“But then what comes with Callum is the lack of games he has played recently. The serious injury he has had. If it wasn’t for his injuries, we wouldn’t even be talking about him coming to Scotland.”
McPake on how Wilson is feeling…
According to McPake, Wilson is currently on a ‘pay-as-you-play’ contract at West Ham, something he was also offered by Newcastle during the summer before leaving the club on a free transfer.
The belief is that Wilson still harbours ambitions of making England’s World Cup squad next summer, despite that prospect now appearing increasingly remote, as McPake explained on Go Radio.
“With Callum Wilson, he comes up here, and the defenders will certainly know they are in the game,” added McPake.
“We were talking about Maeda not being able to take the ball; Callum can do that. He could do that when he was 18.
“Knowing him, even when he made the move (to West Ham), because he got offered a pay-as-you-play deal at Newcastle. The reason he decided to leave, I don’t think he thought, in his head, he was going to get the game time. He still had another ambition to go to another World Cup with England. Now that’s a long shot. Miles away now.
“He is still really ambitious to get back playing. He is frustrated with the injuries he has had. He has had injuries since he was a kid. A serious knee injury, and now the hamstrings are starting to play up.
“I know the character of the boy, and if he came up here, he would excite Scottish football if he was fit.”