Rangers and Celtic well placed to sign ‘top young player’ who’s ready to explode
Celtic and Rangers will both face competition from English and Italian clubs in the race to sign Kilmarnock starlet David Watson this summer.
Watson, 21, is on the radar of both Old Firm clubs after impressing for his boyhood club Kilmarnock throughout this campaign.
Bolton Wanderers saw a late January bid for Watson’s services rejected by Killie, and the youngster recently insisted that he was “not fussed” about the noise around his future as they battle relegation.
The attacking midfielder has caught the eye with a string of standout performances in recent months, and has registered three goals and one assist in 24 Premiership appearances in 2025-26.
Celtic and Rangers are now eyeing him as he nears the end of his contract this summer, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, but they are not the only clubs keeping tabs on his progress.
Old Firm rivals could struggle to land David Watson this summer
Kilmarnock sit 11th in the Premiership as it stands, but are putting up a good fight to avoid a relegation playoff after beating the likes of Aberdeen and St Mirren in recent weeks.
Watson’s exit seems inevitable regardless, as his contract nears its expiry date, and a battle between numerous clubs for his services could ensue this summer.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “It won’t be a straightforward race for Celtic or Rangers, because I think there’s a lot of interest in England in the Scotland Under-21 captain as well.
“There’s also even been reported interest from some teams in Italy, where we’ve obviously seen some players move from Scotland to Italy and have instant success.
“He’s a top young player, he could be a real smart pickup by Celtic or Rangers, I think, if they were to pursue his signature in the summer. He’s only 21 and is only going to get better and better.”
Rangers will not explore shock Todd Cantwell move amid Watson interest
An attacking midfielder is clearly on the agenda for Danny Rohl in the summer window, with the Gers scoring less than both Celtic and Hearts in the Premiership so far this season.
Watson is known to be on their radar, but another playmaker, in Cantwell, will not be on his way back to Ibrox this summer as he prepares to leave Blackburn Rovers.
Recent reports have claimed that Rohl would like to sign Cantwell, as he knows him well from managing in the Championship, but sources have told Football Insider that Rangers have no plans to re-sign the 27-year-old.
He scored 14 goals in 64 appearances for the Ibrox club, and is set to leave Ewood Park this summer with one year left on his contract, but not to return to Rangers.