Aaron Hickey and Kevin Nisbet are being targeted by Celtic in a summer swoop, according to a report.
Bologna teenager Hickey, a former Lennoxtown trainee, moved to the Serie A club last summer from Hearts.
Nisbet meanwhile has enjoyed a stellar first season at Hibs which has seen him ascend to a Scotland call-up, while the Easter Road side rejected Birmingham City's advances in January.
And the Scottish Sun claim Parkhead chiefs are prepared to throw weight behind Eddie Howe, with two top Scottish prospects in mind if and when the former Bournemouth boss seals his long awaited move to Glasgow's east end.
Record Sport understands the managerial hold-up is mostly down to the Cherries making the play-offs as they hope to seal a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, which is putting the freeze on an attempt to land his favoured backroom staff.
But it appears planning for next campaign is well underway with a view to plugging two obvious holes in the squad.
Diego Laxalt is due to return to AC Milan and his performances have done little to convince Celtic that a permanent deal is viable - which could pave the way for Hickey's return to Scottish football with Bologna pipping the Hoops to last season's transfer.
Meanwhile Nisbet could offset a host of exits up front with Odsonne Edouard likely to leave this summer as those at Parkhead consider taking their final chance at turning a profit on a player with just a year left on his deal.
Leigh Griffiths' future is also unclear while Patryk Klimala left the club for MLS side New York Red Bulls last month.
