Celtic fans were making all the noise in the Transfer Tavern on Wednesday night after seeing their side cruise past nearest challengers Aberdeen 3-0 at Pittodrie to open up a three-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Brendan Rodgers’ men went into that clash off the back of victory over Hibernian in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup, and they will seek to defend their crown at Hampden Park next against Motherwell, who got past Rangers in the other clash. And the Bhoys returned to league action on Wednesday in emphatic style by comfortably seeing off Derek McInnes’ Dons, with Moussa Dembele’s brace and a first half strike from Kieran Tierney sending them on their way to a 61st game unbeaten in domestic competition.

Unsurprisingly, several of our resident Celtic fans were jubilant in the Tavern on Wednesday evening, and they are likely to be further encouraged by a recent report from The Scottish Sun, which suggests that they are set to reignite their interest in young defender Filip Benkovic.

The 20-year-old currently plays his trade at Dinamo Zagreb and has appeared 58 times for the club in the last two years, 18 of which coming last season to help them to a second place finish in the Croatian top-flight, and thus the third qualifying round of this term’s Europa League.

And the Croatia Under-21 international’s fine displays have reportedly attracted the interest of Rodgers’ Celtic during 2017, and they are reportedly set to up the ante in pursuit of the defender ahead of the January window, having watched him in action last weekend.

And should the Bhoys complete a deal for Benkovic come the New Year, here are TWO other stars who could follow him to Celtic in January…

Tosin Adarabioyo

Celtic are struggling somewhat in the defensive department with injuries to Jose Simonovic and Erik Sviatchenko, and although Benkovic’s arrival would help that, you still sense that more options are needed.

So, having already given Patrick Roberts a platform to produce the goods, they could turn their attentions to fellow Manchester City youngster Tosin Adarabioyo.

The 20-year-old came up through the youth ranks at the Etihad Stadium to make his senior debut for the club back in February 2016, although he has since added just four more to that tally.

And with just one appearance so far this term, it’s clear that the England youth international is not going to command the regular gametime needed to aid his development, so a move to Celtic could be exactly what he needs to get the games to fulfil his undoubted potential.

Richmond Boayke

When it comes to a list of the most prolific strikers in European football, Red Star Belgrade’s Richmond Boayke is certainly on it.

The 24-year-old has only been at the Serbian outfit since the turn of the year but has gone on to score a remarkable 26 goals in just 37 games for the club, including 16 in 19 games last term to help the club finish second in their domestic league.

And he has continued his sensational goal-scoring form this term with 11 goals in just 18 games, seven of which coming in their Europa League qualifying campaign to earn them a spot in the group stages, where they faced Arsenal a few weeks ago.

And Celtic are one of several sides reportedly keeping tabs on the young forward ahead of a possible move in January, and with numbers like that in front of goal, it’s a move Rodgers must seek to get done in the New Year.