DONE DEAL;Celtic and Rangers agreed contract terms race to sign “brilliant” 11-goal Scotland international

Celtic are enjoying their renewed status as Scottish Premiership champions and could now strike to beat their rivals to the signing of a highly-rated youngster, per reports.

Celtic probe ahead of summer transfer window

The Bhoys are basking in the glory of a fourth successive league title and will look to hammer home their supremacy this season when they travel to face Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday.

However, their rivals have claimed victory in their last two Glasgow Derby encounters, leaving Brendan Rodgers with a point to prove against his opposite number, Barry Ferguson.

Truthfully, the Irishman can put forward a compelling argument that he has already met his remit with flying colours. He is now the third-most successful manager in Celtic history; trophies are the bottom line in Glasgow after all.

In light of this, Rodgers is likely to gain significant backing from the Hoops hierarchy this summer. According to reports, AC Ajaccio striker Moussa Soumano has emerged as a target at Parkhead, even if Brentford are deemed to be leading the race for his signature.

Crystal Palace winger Jesse Derry is also on Celtic’s radar, but he is likely to be one for the future should he join the club for a compensation fee after refusing to pen a new deal at Selhurst Park.

In the background, plenty of groundwork will be ongoing to ensure the Bhoys have adequate quality present to combat the challenge of competing in the final Champions League qualifying round next term.

Homegrown players will be needed to meet squad quotas regardless of what league phase they end up in, so it won’t be a surprise that they are now battling their rivals for one of Scotland’s brightest young talents.