Celtic target Shankland could be available for nothing next summer

Celtic may be forced to hold out until the summer if they want to complete a deal to sign Ayr United striker Lawrence Shankland.

Ayr owner Lachlan Cameron has told the Ayrshire Post that the club will not be forced into selling the striker during the January window.

Both Celtic and Swansea have been linked with moves to sign the striker after his impressive start to the season.

The free-scoring forward is said to be valued at around £400,000 and is expected to be on the move in the new future if his good form continues.

However, Cameron explains that with promotion in mind, the club would rather lose him on a free at the end of the season than sell in the new year.

Let me assure our fans there is no pressure on us to sell. We now have a once-in-a-generation chance to go for the top flight and Lawrence is integral to that. If this was about cash, I’d be accepting a bid and sticking it straight in the bank. But, as a club, we arguably haven’t been in this position for 40 years.

He went on to add:

But at the same time, we won’t be bullied into taking some offer that does little for us. Does that mean I’d be willing to lose Lawrence for nothing in the summer? Absolutely.

Celtic could now be given the opportunity to pick themselves up a bargain at the end of the campaign if they are prepared to play the long game.

The Hoops are expected to be searching for a striker after the news that Leigh Griffiths is taking an ‘indefinite break’ from football.