OPINION
Rangers appear ready to revive their efforts to sign Motherwell attacker Jake Hastie in the summer transfer window, but as he could reportedly be bought for just £300,000, Celtic should also be hot on the tail of the Scotland Under-21 international.
According to the Express, the Light Blues are set to hold talks about signing Hastie, 21, in the next few days as the Well winger edges towards the end of his contract at Fir Park.
It is understood that whoever signs Hastie would have to pay a six-figure compensation fee worth £300,000, and for that amount of money, it is a no-brainer for Celtic to also step up their efforts to sign the player.
The Scottish Sun reported in February that the Hoops are interested in signing Hastie with Motherwell struggling to get him to agree new terms with them.
Since that update, Hastie appears to have dropped off Celtic’s radar with the new report by the Express claiming that a number of clubs are interested in the attacker, but do not name the Scottish Premiership leaders.
However when you consider the red-hot form that Hastie has been in at Fir Park in the last few months, it would make perfect sense for the Hoops to make an offer for him and try to beat Rangers to his signature.
Hastie has scored six goals in 12 league appearances for the Steelmen since returning to them in January following a spell on loan at Alloa.
Stephen Robinson has played the Scotland youth international on both wings, as a No 10 and even as a centre-forward and has been able to grind out some really impressive performances by the reportedly in-demand youngster.
Celtic can sign a young Scottish player who is in the form of his life in the top-flight for just £300,000 in the summer – why shouldn’t they make an offer?
They could come to regret it if Rangers to eventually snap up Hastie and seen him go from strength to strength at Ibrox before being sold on for a massive profit.
Even if he won’t win a spot in Celtic’s first team straight away, that doesn’t matter too much because Hastie is still young and can be loaned out to continue his development at another Scottish Premiership club or south of the border in the English Championship.
Middlesbrough, Derby, Hull, Millwall and Portsmouth have been credited with an interest in Hastie and they would surely like to have him on loan for a season if the chance arises.
Peter Lawwell needs to get the feelers out as soon as possible to sign up someone who is bound to become a senior international for Scotland in the next few years.