Celtic are one of 8 clubs weighing up a bid for Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland, according to HITC.com.

The website claims that the 28-year-old could well be on the move this month, with the Hoops being joined by Everton, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Southampton, Hull and Middlesbrough in pursuing the forward‘s signature.

Shankland has been in great form so far this season, having scored 18 goals in all competitions, including 13 in the Premiership, which makes him the top scorer in the Scottish top flight.

It is therefore not surprising that so many teams have been keeping a close eye on the the Scotland international’s performances over the past few months.

Why are Celtic interested in Shankland?

While Kyogo Furuhashi has not been called up by Japan for the Asian Cup, the Scottish champions are rather short of numbers up front, with both Oh Hyeon-gyu and Daizen Maeda now missing until the tournament in Qatar comes to an end.

If he were to be brought in during the January transfer window, Shankland’s goals could prove crucial in the title race. Although Brendan Rodgers’s side have maintained their eight-point lead at the top heading into the winter break, rivals Rangers could close the gap to two with their games in hand.

Rodgers is a fan of the forward

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Glasgow derby last weekend, Brendan Rodgers made a point of praising Shankland after he scored the winner in the Edinburgh derby versus Hibernian.

The Hoops boss described the Hearts captain as a “fantastic finisher”, which suggests that he does rate the player pretty highly. It remains to be seen, though, whether that means Celtic will make a formal approach to sign him.

Watch the Fitbaw Talk on Shots!TV here as our pundits discuss the January transfer window