Celtic have entered the race for one of the Scottish Premiership’s most intriguing emerging talents, but this is not shaping up to be a straightforward January move.
The player in question is Josh Mulligan, the 23-year-old currently with Hibernian FC, who has impressed since making the move from Dundee in the summer. Mulligan’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with the Hoops now tracking his progress alongside interest from England and the continent. [The National]
Mulligan is a modern profile player. Comfortable operating as a central midfielder or at full back, he brings energy and tactical intelligence. It is easy to see why comparisons have been made to John McGinn, not stylistically identical, but in terms of versatility, engine, and willingness to impact games across multiple zones.
For Celtic, that adaptability matters. Under Wilfried Nancy, flexibility is not a luxury, it is a requirement. Nancy’s system demands players who can rotate positions, step into midfield during build up, and press aggressively without the ball. Mulligan’s ability to play as an inverted full back or a box to box midfielder fits neatly into that framework.
The problem for Celtic is timing and competition.
Hibs are understood to be reluctant sellers mid season. Having only signed Mulligan in the summer, they see him as a core part of their plans and are expected to resist January bids unless the offer becomes impossible to ignore. That alone pushes the price upward.
Then there is the external interest. Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Lille OSC, and VfL Wolfsburg have all been credited with monitoring Mulligan. That mix of Premier League and European suitors changes the dynamic entirely, particularly when wages and long term pathways come into play.
This is where the wider context becomes unavoidable. Celtic have major surgery to carry out in January. The squad has clear structural issues and lacks balance in several areas. Identifying targets is only half the job. Acting decisively is the other half.
If Celtic truly see Mulligan as a player who can contribute now and develop further under Nancy, they cannot afford to sit on their hands hoping to shave margins off a deal. Hesitation has been costly before. In a competitive market, moving early and with conviction often matters more than securing the perfect financial outcome.
Mulligan may or may not end up at Celtic Park, but the interest itself underlines the type of profile Celtic should be prioritising. Young, versatile, domestically proven, and capable of fitting a demanding tactical system.
January will reveal whether Celtic are ready to move with the urgency the situation demands.
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