David Watson has addressed the growing transfer speculation surrounding his future for the first time, as links continue to gather pace ahead of the summer window.
Celtic have been credited with an interest in the Kilmarnock midfielder, with it suggested the club have explored the possibility of a pre-contract agreement. They are far from alone, however. Interest has also been noted from Aberdeen, while Kilmarnock recently rejected a £500,000 bid from Bolton Wanderers.
Watson is regarded as one of the most promising young midfielders in the SPFL and, despite only turning 21 in December, has already built up significant experience at senior level. The academy graduate has made 130 appearances for Kilmarnock, scoring 13 goals in the process, and the club would be due substantial compensation should he leave after developing through their youth system.
For now, though, the midfielder insists he is blocking out the noise and leaving any transfer discussions to his representatives.
Speaking about the rumours, Watson made clear his focus remains firmly on his current club.
“I’m not dealing with the interest, it’s my agent who will do that,” he said, quoted by RecordSport. “I’m just focused on what I’m doing and I’ll take it day by day and game by game. I wasn’t aware of what was going on during the window.
“I was focusing on what I had to do on the pitch. Even when I was suspended I was still at the games. I always focus on Kilmarnock before anything else.
“It’s the type of person I am. I’m not fussed about outside noise. I’d rather concentrate on what’s happening on the pitch, it’s the same now.”
That mindset will be welcomed by Kilmarnock supporters, with the club still heavily reliant on Watson’s consistency and leadership despite his young age, especially as they battle it out near the bottom of the league.
Whether Celtic formalise their interest or not remains to be seen, but Watson’s emergence has ensured his name will continue to feature in recruitment conversations across the league.
