Few players were talked about as much in Scotland this winter as Tawanda Maswanhise.
With Celtic very publicly in the market for attacking reinforcements, the Motherwell star couldn’t have timed his goalscoring form any better.
Since returning from AFCON, Maswanhise has scored six goals in six games. Whilst at the tournament, he scored a sensational goal for Zimbabwe against South Africa.
With 13 goals in total in the Scottish Premiership this season, locked in a race with the Hoops’ Benjamin Nygren for the league’s golden boot.
So it’s understandable that when Martin O’Neill and Mark Fotheringham were seen in the stands, many interpreted it as a scouting mission.
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Tawanda Maswanhise on Champions League ambitions after Celtic question
Despite the scouting visit and widespread media reports, Maswanhise’s camp reported no approach from Celtic this January.
However, he did receive strong interest from Belgian giants Anderlecht, who had a three-and-a-half year deal on the table if not for Motherwell’s refusal to sell.
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So how much was a January exit on Maswanhise’s mind this January, and does he have ambitions beyond Lanarkshire? The 24-year-old was pushed on these topics in an interview with the Scottish Sun.
On his ambitions, Maswanhise said: “For me, myself and my career, I do want to play Champions League football.
“These big European competitions, that’s where I really want to strive to and make my name. That comes with time. It comes with experience.
“I’ve just got to keep doing my thing here and keep cracking on and then we’ll see.
“My dad always taught me never to get too low with the failures and never get too high with the successes.
“When you keep scoring every week, and when you’re performing really well, you don’t know where the bar is.
“But you can’t show that. Because when you’re not performing, how are you going to react to people’s negative comments?”
On unavoidable talk of interest from Celtic and other clubs, he said: “For me, when I’m doing well and people ask me about it, I just tell them I’m keeping my head down to keep on going.
“Because you never know where the bar is in football. Before I came to Motherwell, I always said I wanted to showcase my talent and really see if I can crack on.
“I wanted to get my football journey started and Motherwell was the right club for me. I feel I have been showing up well.
“I have cracked on and people are seeing a difference in the last year. The more you think about it, the more you won’t play your game. And I think I’ve found the balance.
“When I go into games that are harder than other games, there’s more pressure. But I like that pressure.“When people are talking about this and that, I like it.
“When there are more eyes on you then you have to show something. I like that feeling.”
What would your message to Dermot Desmond be now that the transfer window has closed
SPFL players linked with Celtic in January
Celtic enquired about Kieron Bowie early in January, in a search for a striker which lasted until the 20th of the month.
Bowie has now completed a move to Hellas Verona, reportedly worth up to £7 million, joining a long line of Scottish players moving to Serie A.
Celtic were also linked with Josh Mulligan, Bowie’s ex-teammate at Hibs. They face stiff competition for the 23-year-old, with Premier League clubs keen.
Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson is another SPFL player with reported interest from Celtic and Italy.
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date: 2026-02-14 06:18:00