Celtic and Rangers tipped as potential transfer route for 'real deal' Arsenal attacker

Rising Arsenal star Max Dowman has been tipped to join either Celtic or Rangers in the January transfer window.

Former England internationalist Emile Heskey believes the attacking midfielder moving to one of the Old Firm clubs “might help him grow” as the 16-year-old continues his development.

Dowman burst on to the Arsenal first-team scene last season and became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history. He is also the youngest player to have won the English top-flight.

Max Dowman, right, has found first-team detail at Arsenal limited this season. | Getty Images

However, Dowman has found opportunities limited this season and his manager Mikel Arteta may consider allowing him to move on loan for the second half of the season. And Heskey believes Celtic and Rangers are viable options for the teenager.

“Max Dowman going out on loan? I could see huge benefits, but you'd have to pick the right team for him to go and play for, taking a real hands-on approach,” said Heskey. “That kid is the real deal, so you need to ensure he gets the right game time and environment in a structure that suits him.”

“The sky's the limit for him. Even if he went on loan in January, I think by next season he could return and be a regular at Arsenal. The only question is, where do you want to play him, and what position suits him best?

“Celtic or Rangers would be an interesting move. It'd be tough, but as the two biggest clubs up there, their style of football would likely match what Arsenal want to do, and he'd get regular game-time. It would be a physical test as a young English lad, but it might help him grow.”

Heskey also claimed in an interview with Casinolyze that Celtic wanted to sign him during the peak years of his career.

“Celtic were interested in me when Martin O’Neill went up there, but you're playing in the Premier League during your prime, it's difficult to leave that to go play anywhere else, including Scotland,” added Heskey.

“Don't get me wrong, Celtic are a huge, absolutely massive club alongside Rangers, but it would’ve been really hard for it to really turn my head at the time.”