There is a specific kind of electricity that fills the air around Parkhead during a January window, especially when the league table is as tight as it is right now. With Martin O’Neill back in the dugout and the club desperately hunting for a fresh “Number 9,” all eyes turned to Fir Park this weekend. The “spying mission” is out in the open, and the name on everyone’s lips is Motherwell’s Tawanda Maswanhise.
I’ve watched Celtic’s attack struggle for consistency over the last few months, and while high-profile names like Callum Wilson are being floated, I’m starting to think the answer isn’t in the Premier League—it’s in Lanarkshire.
The Scouting Mission: Why O’Neill was at Fir Park
When the gaffer was spotted in the stands alongside Mark Fotheringham on Saturday, he wasn’t just there for the pie and bovril. He was watching Maswanhise net his 15th goal of the campaign against Ross County. O’Neill played it cool in the post-match presser, calling it a “football mission,” but that cheeky smile said it all.
Maswanhise is 23, hungry, and currently playing with a level of confidence that we haven’t seen in the Scottish Premiership for a long time. For a team like Celtic, who often struggle to break down low blocks, a player with his instinctive movement and “right place, right time” finish is exactly what the doctor ordered.
More Than Just a “Project” Signing
Historically, Celtic fans are wary of “project” signings from within the league, but Maswanhise feels different. Coming through the Leicester City academy has given him a technical foundation that many domestic players lack. He isn’t just a poacher; he’s a versatile forward who can drift out wide or lead the line alone.
Look at the stats: 15 goals and 2 assists in 27 appearances this season. In a Motherwell side that doesn’t create half as many chances as Celtic do, those numbers are frightening. Imagine what he could do with the service from the likes of Reo Hatate or Nicolas Kühn.
Striking While the Iron is Hot
The January window is a minefield. We’ve been linked with Franko Kovačević and Andrej Ilić, but those deals are complicated, expensive, and involve players who might take months to adapt to the “Scottish game.”
Maswanhise is already “league-ready.” He knows the defenders, he knows the grounds, and he’s clearly not intimidated by the pressure. With the title race level on points with Rangers and trailing Hearts, we don’t have the luxury of waiting for a big-money signing to find their feet. We need goals now.
The Verdict: Should Celtic Pull the Trigger?
If I’m the Celtic board, I’m making that call to Motherwell tonight. Yes, Jens Berthel Askou wants to keep his star man until the end of the season, but every player has a price—especially with Maswanhise’s contract situation looming.
Signing him wouldn’t just bolster our bench; it would send a message of intent. It shows we are scouting the best talent in our own backyard and that we aren’t afraid to take a gamble on a rising star.
What do you think, Hoops fans? Is Maswanhise the man to fire us to the title, or should we be holding out for a more established European name? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
