A potential priority for Celtic in the January transfer window could well be a new centre-forward addition, with the Parkhead outfit potentially preparing for the probability of having to replace contract rebel Giorgos Giakoumakis.

With the Greece international attracting notable interest after reportedly failing to agree terms regarding a wage increase at the Premiership champions, there is a distinct possibility that the 28-year-old could depart Glasgow next month, leaving Ange Postecoglou rather light in the attacking ranks.

One potential solution to that problem has emerged in the form of Sunderland striker Ross Stewart, with the Old Firm outfit believed to be 'waiting in the wings' for the Scotland marksman amid the uncertainty surrounding his future at the Stadium of Light.

The suggestion is that the 26-year-old has yet to commit himself to the Black Cats despite having just six months remaining on his existing contract , having seemingly turned down the chance to become the Championship club's highest-paid player.

However, Tony Mowbray's side do have the option to extend Stewart's current contract a further year, with that fact reportedly seeing the Wearside outfit slap a £10m price tag on the former Ross County man's head.

Despite that hefty asking price, a move for the 26-year-old could well be worth it as far as the Scottish champions are concerned, with Stewart having been in "unbelievable" form during his time south of the border, according to Sunderland team-mate Alex Pritchard.

After previously scoring 28 goals in 82 games during his time at Dingwall, the 6 foot 2 marksman has since netted 35 goals and registered eight assists in 73 games for his current club, including six goals and three assists in just eight outings in England's second tier this term.

Such prolific form could even see the one-time St Mirren man likened to Portugal's World Cup hero, Goncalo Ramos, with the pair said to share a number of statistical and stylistic similarities according to FBref.

That is evidenced by the fact that Ramos - who scored a hat-trick on his first start for his country in the 6-1 thrashing of Switzerland in Qatar - notably ranks in the top 5% in his position (in Men's Next eight competitions) for non-penalty goals, while Stewart ranks in the top 1% in that regard, albeit having featured less frequently.

Equally, that similarity is also evidenced by their work ethic in attack, with the latter averaging 1.36 tackles per game, while the Benfica sensation is only just behind as he averages 0.92 tackles per game from his striking berth.

That willingness to put in the hard yards defensively is clearly a trait that both men share. Stewart has been lauded as a player who has "got everything" by the aforementioned Pritchard due to his hold-up play and desire to run in behind, while Ramos has also been described as a player who "never gives up" by team-mate Alejandro Grimaldo.

Being able to land an asset similar to that of the Portuguese hotshot would prove a real coup for Postecoglou and co, with the 21-year-old Ramos having been in prolific form in recent times, scoring 14 goals and registering six assists in just 21 games in all competitions so far this term for Benfica.

To be able to secure an answer to such a highly-coveted figure - who is reportedly attracting the attention of Manchester United - in the form of Sunderland talisman Stewart could well help to give Celtic an even greater lift heading into the second half of the season.