Former Celtic forward Charlie Nicholas has recommended that the Hoops should go after Brentford striker Ollie Watkins and Standard Liege defender Zinho Vanheusden during the January transfer window.

The Scottish champions are looking for a forward this month, but Watkins, who has scored 17 goals this season, could cost a sizeable sum which Nicholas thinks the club should pay:

“Brentford know he is going to be a top player. I’m not sure what his exact value is but it will be a lot more when the EPL clubs start to come in. At that point Celtic would have to forget him but they have a chance of nicking him this month for £10-12million. Is that such a big price to pay if he helps see off Rangers in the title race?”

Vanheusden is another player the Nicholas has watched this campaign. The former Inter Milan player could be someone who would increase in value over the coming years, and the Sky Sports pundit thinks the 20-year-old would be a good investment:

“The one player I have watched quite a bit and heard a lot of good things about is Standard Liege defender Zinho Vanheusden. The Belgian is only 20 but his wages would be relatively low, although he’d probably cost around £6m or £7m.”

“Vanheusden is a passing centre-half who is making a good reputation for himself. He would come with big sell-on value potential, which Celtic always like.”

£6m to £7m is likely to be on the low side considering Standard Liege spent £10.6m on the centre-back in July. In any case, a total outlay of around £19m on two players would be well beyond what Celtic have been prepared to spend on recruits in the past.

It does seem that Nicholas is very much overestimating what the club’s board would be looking to invest in the squad.