MIDFIELDER OFFERED TO CELTIC BY HIS AGENT IN 2024 NOW EMERGES AS JANUARY ‘TARGET’ FOR RANGERS

Celtic’s transfer plans for the January window continue to generate debate, with midfield clearly emerging as one of the club’s key areas of focus.

In recent weeks, the Hoops have been linked with several central midfielders, including David Watson, Issa Doumbia and Mateusz Bogusz, underlining that the engine room is a position the club hierarchy are actively assessing ahead of the winter market. With performances fluctuating and questions being asked about depth and competition, it is no surprise that reinforcements in the middle of the park are being discussed so heavily.

However, one name that previously cropped up in connection with Celtic has now taken on a distinctly Glasgow-wide angle. Pierre Ekwah, the French midfielder who was reportedly offered to Celtic earlier this season, is now said to be attracting interest from Rangers, adding another layer of intrigue to an already complicated situation.

It is far from uncommon for Celtic and Rangers to be linked with the same players. Over the years, there have been countless examples of both clubs tracking similar talent, particularly when it comes to players viewed as attainable within the Scottish market or those looking to revive their careers. Yet Ekwah’s case stands out because of the unusual circumstances surrounding his club situation, contract dispute and prolonged absence from competitive football.

Ekwah, who spent last season on loan at Saint-Étienne from Sunderland, found himself at the centre of a dramatic change in fortunes over the summer. While Saint-Étienne were relegated to Ligue 2, Sunderland secured promotion to the Premier League, creating a stark contrast between the trajectories of the two clubs connected to his career. Despite that, a €6 million purchase option in Ekwah’s loan deal was triggered, making his move to the French club permanent.

Since then, the situation has deteriorated rapidly. According to reports in France, Ekwah has been “categorically refusing” to play for Saint-Étienne, despite being fully fit. The dispute is said to revolve around contractual issues and dissatisfaction with how events have unfolded following the club’s relegation. As a result, the midfielder has not featured in a competitive match since May, a remarkable length of time for a player who should be in his physical prime.

Amid the standoff, Ekwah has officially been placed on sick leave by Saint-Étienne, a development that has only added to the confusion surrounding his future. Even more striking is the claim that his agent has been offering the player to clubs for free, despite the French side having only recently committed a significant fee to secure his services permanently.

It was against this backdrop that Celtic were reportedly approached in September and informed of the opportunity to sign Ekwah. At the time, it was suggested that Saint-Étienne themselves were not fully aware of the extent to which the player’s representatives were attempting to engineer a move elsewhere. Ultimately, Celtic did not pursue the deal, opting instead to keep their powder dry and explore other midfield options.

Fast forward to the present, and the story has taken another twist. As clubs across Europe prepare for the January transfer window, French outlet Footmercato reports that Rangers are now one of three clubs monitoring Ekwah’s situation and considering a potential move. If accurate, it would place the midfielder squarely in the middle of the Old Firm rivalry, having already been offered to Celtic earlier in the campaign.

From a footballing perspective, there are clear caveats attached to any potential deal. Ekwah’s lack of match action since the end of last season means he would not be expected to make an immediate impact wherever he lands. Match sharpness, rhythm and confidence would all need time to return, particularly in the demanding environment of Scottish football, where physicality and intensity are often decisive factors.

Nevertheless, the prospect of Rangers moving for a player who Celtic previously passed on will inevitably spark debate among supporters. Some will view it as a missed opportunity, while others will point to the obvious risks involved in signing a player embroiled in a contractual dispute and absent from competitive action for months.

For Celtic, the episode reinforces the broader narrative around their January strategy. Much of the discussion has centred not just on potential incomings, but also on whether head coach Wilfried Nancy will even be afforded the time to oversee the winter rebuild, given the scrutiny he has faced during the early stages of his tenure.

Nancy has already attempted to address those concerns by outlining his philosophy regarding transfer windows. Speaking ahead of Celtic’s clash with Dundee United, he stressed that every window is important, but only if it is used correctly.

According to the Celtic boss, recruitment should not be about bringing in players for the sake of it. Instead, he views the transfer market as a tool to increase competition within the squad, believing that genuine rivalry for places is essential if performance levels are to rise. Nancy acknowledged that January can be a particularly challenging window, especially for managers who arrive midway through a season, but maintained that balance and careful planning are crucial.

He also emphasised that the approach does not change depending on the time of year. Whether in January or the summer, the focus remains on identifying the right profiles that can genuinely enhance the group, rather than making reactionary signings.

As speculation continues to swirl around names like Ekwah, Doumbia and others, Celtic supporters will be watching closely to see whether the club back up the talk with significant investment. There have already been suggestions that Celtic could spend as much as £20 million in January, a figure that would represent a major statement of intent if realised.

For now, Pierre Ekwah’s future remains unresolved, but his situation neatly encapsulates the complexity of the upcoming window. A player once offered to Celtic, now linked with Rangers, locked in a dispute with his current club and absent from football for months, he represents both opportunity and risk in equal measure.

Whether he eventually resurfaces in Scotland or elsewhere, the story highlights how quickly transfer narratives can evolve—and how fine the margins can be in the ever-intense rivalry between Celtic and Rangers.