Simon Donnelly sees merit for Celtic in Bowie and Shankland

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The Celtic Star

·1. Januar 2026

Simon Donnelly sees merit for Celtic in Bowie and Shankland

Former Hoops forward Simon Donnelly has suggested that both Kieron Bowie and Lawrence Shankland possess the qualities required to succeed at Celtic Park…

Kieron Bowie of Scotland with teammates prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Greece at Hampden Park on October 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Donnelly’s comments follow the duo’s involvement in Saturday’s Edinburgh derby at Easter Road, where each found the net for their respective sides.

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Bowie made it 3-0 just after half-time following a mistake from Stuart Findlay, before Shankland responded for Hearts in what ultimately proved to be a 3–2 loss for the Scottish Premiership league leaders.

Now, Donnelly believes they two have what it takes to play for Celtic. Speaking during his regular slot on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, Donnelly said: “I quite like [Bowie]. “He came to my attention last year. I thought he gave Carter-Vickers a difficult time at Celtic Park.”

“He’s like an old-fashioned centre-forward, quite aggressive, quite a nice left foot. Had a little bit of a dip, but again, with young players that sometimes happens.”

“He took his goal brilliantly [against Hearts]. He’s got something. He’s been round about the Scotland squad as well. He’s got something there, definitely.”

Lawrence Shankland of Hearts arrives prior to the Scottish Premier ship match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park on December 07, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Donnelly added: “Goalscorers as well… (the)Rangers have been linked with Lawrence Shankland in numerous transfer windows as well. And there’s not much better than him in the league at the moment at finding the net.”

“I would say it was a mistake [for the Ibrox club not to sign him], but I think he would do a job for Celtic as well. I really do. I think he’s a polished striker in this league, and there is that sometimes – I don’t know if it’s snobbery, when looking at other teams in the league.”

“Rangers and Celtic have had a lot of success there over the years, with different players from teams in the league. Nowadays, it’s overlooked.”

Johnny Kenny of Celtic has a chance on goal. Celtic v Kilmarnock, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 9 November 2025. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO/Shutterstock

Celtic are currently relying on Johnny Kenny and Shin Yamada to lead the line, with alternatives limited by injuries and Michael Nicholson’s abject failure to sign a striker last January then again in the summer despite selling Kyogo, Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn and banking around £30m in the process. World class money making, eh Michael?

Shin Yamada. Motherwell v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. 30 December 2025 Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Free agent signing Kelechi Iheanacho remains sidelined as he recovers from ongoing hamstring problems, while Daizen Maeda has been deployed effectively in a deeper role on the left under Wilfried Nancy.

Kelechi Iheanacho is injured during the Premier Sports Cup Final match between St Mirren and Celtic at Hampden Park on December 14, 2025. (Photo by Vagelis Georgariou, The Celtic Star)

With that in mind, adding a recognised centre-forward is an absolute priority for Celtic as soon as possible.

Conor Spence

Happy New Year from everyone at The Celtic Star!

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