Celtic-linked Elliot Watt’s display at Ibrox on Sunday has only added to the attention around him, with the Motherwell midfielder right at the centre of their 3-2 win over Rangers.
In a game where the midfield battle usually decides the outcome, Watt looked at ease throughout. He took the ball in tight areas, kept things ticking, and chose the right moments to move it forward. Nothing felt forced. He held his position and gave his teammates an option when the pressure came on.
That performance has started a wider conversation. Celtic’s midfield has been questioned at times this season, with Callum McGregor asked to do a lot in that deeper role. There is now more talk about bringing in someone who can share that job, and eventually step into it.
Watt fits that profile. He plays as a number six, stays disciplined in front of the back line, and does not get pulled out of position. At Ibrox, that stood out. He did not get dragged into chaos. He stayed calm and let the game settle around him.
Elliot Watt – Elite Level No.6
His performance at Ibrox on Sunday was the epitome of how to play the “Role of a Number 6” & that goes beyond the line-breaking pass we seen for the 2nd goal.
Elliot Watt has all the “Tiny” qualities that make him Elite:
> Scanning & Recognising… pic.twitter.com/EVmBEbVPiQ— John Walker (@johnwalker_1986) April 28, 2026
That level of praise lines up with what he showed. When Rangers pressed, he made himself available. When space opened up, he used it at the right time. The pass for the second goal came from that awareness, picking the moment rather than rushing it.
From a Celtic point of view, the link is easy to see. McGregor still anchors the midfield, but that role takes a lot out of a player over a full season. Bringing in someone who can handle those demands would change how the team functions.
Watt has handled these games well. He has done it at Ibrox before, and against Celtic too. That is what gets him noticed.
At 26, he sits in a bracket where Celtic have often looked for value. He is experienced in the league, understands the demands of these fixtures, and would not come with the same cost as players from abroad. For a club needing to strengthen smartly, he looks like a budget option that still raises the level of the squad.
