Owen Stirton rejected playing for Celtics and insisted leaving due to…

Owen Stirton – who is currently on loan at Montrose – has caught the eye of the Parkhead scouts

Celtic ran the rule over Dundee United ’s Owen Stirton last weekend.

Tosh McKinlay watched the 18-year-old, who is currently on-loan at Montrose. Stirton has scored an impressive six goals in eight games for the League One side.

McKinlay took in the frontman in Saturday’s goal-less draw with Kelty Hearts. Stirton recently signed a new deal that should keep him at Tannadice until the summer of 2027.

He is highly-rated at United and was sent out on-loan to get more first-team experience in January. Stirton netted his first Premiership team goal against Ross County in November.

He was already viewed as one of the best young strikers at under-18 level and that was where he first came on to the Celtic radar. Celtic are also set to lose their young striker Daniel Cummings to West Ham United, when his Parkhead contract expires this summer.

The Hoops are looking within and out with at possible replacements and that is where Stirton has come into the equation. Rangers scouts were also at the game but they have midfielder Blaine McClure out on loan at Kelty.