CELTIC URGED TO ACT NOW AS SPFL STAR BECOMES AVAILABLE WITH ASKING PRICE REVEALED TODAY

Former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant has urged the Scottish champions to seriously consider a move for Hibernian striker Kieron Bowie, arguing that the 21-year-old possesses the physicality, mentality and room for development that could make him a major asset at Parkhead.

Grant, who came through Celtic’s youth ranks and later returned as assistant manager, believes the club should be looking closely at the Scotland youth international — particularly with a reported valuation in the region of £3 million. Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Grant said the forward has already shown impressive maturity and resilience during a career that has taken him from Raith Rovers to Fulham and now to Northampton Town, via loan spells and injury setbacks that have contributed to shaping him into the player he is today.

Grant recalled first seeing Bowie during his early days at Raith, describing him as a tall, raw youngster still growing into his frame.

“I watched him at Raith as a young man,” he said. “He was like a big drink of water. He was very thin. That’s just the way he was — he just needed to fill out. But you could see the potential was there.”

Bowie eventually earned a move to Fulham, where he continued to work on his game while also battling through fitness challenges. Grant believes those experiences, including his time in England’s lower leagues, were crucial in helping the striker develop both physically and mentally.

“The injury actually helped him in a way,” Grant explained. “He went to Fulham, then it was Northampton he went to. He started scoring more goals. You could see the progression coming. He’s filled out, he looks strong, and he works his socks off.”

This season Bowie has continued his upward trajectory, registering seven goals while earning praise for his powerful running, strength in duels and willingness to battle defenders. Grant believes those attributes make him a particularly good fit for Celtic, who often face compact defences and need forwards capable of operating in tight spaces — and, crucially, of holding the ball up under pressure.

Beyond domestic performances, Grant was especially impressed by Bowie’s displays in European competition. He highlighted the striker’s ability to cope physically and tactically against older, more experienced players — something he feels is essential for anyone hoping to wear the green and white hoops.

“I watched him in Europe this season,” Grant continued. “I thought he was excellent against experienced players away from home. He played a fantastic match. He was bumping them, taking the ball in really well, and never looked out of place. That tells you a lot about his character.”

Celtic have been linked with various attacking options as they look to strengthen their squad, and while Bowie is still developing, Grant believes his ceiling is high. The former midfielder suggested that a fee of around £3 million would represent strong value for a young Scottish talent who already understands the demands of the domestic game.

For Grant, Bowie’s profile also suits Celtic’s wider transfer philosophy of targeting players with potential resale value. With his best years still ahead of him, the striker ticks many of the boxes the club and recruitment team often prioritise — homegrown, hungry and improving year by year.

However, he also acknowledged that Bowie’s development has not been linear. Like many young forwards, he has experienced dips in form, particularly when returning from injury layoffs. But rather than viewing that as a concern, Grant believes these moments have only strengthened the player’s mentality.

“He’s had spells where things haven’t gone his way,” Grant said. “But that’s football. The big thing is how you respond — and Bowie has always bounced back. You could see that with his recent performances, especially with the fantastic goal he scored not long ago. There’s real confidence in him again.”

Bowie’s journey from Kirkcaldy to London and back north of the border reflects a determined footballer willing to work his way up rather than expecting instant success. That attitude, Grant believes, would resonate well with Celtic fans who appreciate honest effort and visible progression in their players.

Celtic, meanwhile, continue to assess their options as they look to maintain domestic dominance and compete deeper into European competition. Whether or not a formal move materialises, Grant’s comments have added Bowie’s name firmly into the conversation about emerging Scottish talent ready to make the step up to a higher level.

For Bowie, any such speculation simply underlines the strides he has already made. Still young, still learning, and now delivering consistently, he finds himself attracting attention from some of the biggest clubs in the country — a far cry from the tall, skinny teenager once described as “a big drink of water”.

And for Grant, there is a sense that the timing may now be right for Celtic to make their move.

“If Celtic are looking for a strong, improving striker who knows the league and still has loads of potential,” he concluded, “then I think Kieron Bowie is definitely one they should be thinking about.”