Rangers shock exit claim, 38-goal hitman given Celtic blessing, Hearts move ruled out - Scottish transfers
Here are all the latest Scottish football transfer stories and more on Thursday evening - including Rangers, Celtic, Dundee, and Hearts.
Here are the top Scottish transfer headlines as the re-opening of the January transfer window begins, with the reports from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts and beyond.
Hearts rule out move
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes has revealed the club will not be bringing St Johnstone midfielder Josh McPake to the club in January, despite claims that a deal had been reached to bring the 24-year-old to Tynecastle next month. The former Rangers academy player has been in sensational form in the Scottish Championship, scoring 12 goals to fire Simo Valakari’s side to the top of the table, Into the final months of his contract at McDiarmid Park, the Jambos are tipped to seal a pre-contract deal with McPake in the coming weeks, but McInnes said he is not expecting any movement a transfer for the player.
"I’m conscious that he is not my player," the 54-year-old told Sky Sports. "I have a good relationship with St Johnstone and the people there. I know there is an interest and it hasn’t developed any further. In terms of January, we are looking to get one or two in. Josh wasn’t one for January and it still isn’t.”
Dundee to target ‘several’ signings
Dundee head coach Steven Pressley admits the club is expecting ‘several’ new arrivals in January, but is hopeful he also can trim down his squad and allow some fringe players to move on. The Dens Park outfit is just one point from the relegation zone, having won just three league games this season, and the 52-year-old is targeting additions next month as he looks to drive his side to safety.
“We need to move some players out,” said Pressley. “Hopefully that will happen. I think initially we’ll be able to get several players in, but I think there is a necessity to move the other ones out. January is a tricky window and we have to get players in. We know that. But without doubt the players we have right now are working exceptionally hard. They are trying their upmost to get results for this club. They are improving.”
38-goal hitman given Celtic blessing
Celtic striking target Wessam Abou Ali had been told to reject a megabucks move to the Saudi Pro League in January and urged to accept an offer to join the Scottish champions. The Palestinian international is thought to be on head coach Wilfried Nancy’s wishlist next month, with the 26-year-old having been a key man for the French boss during his successful spell at Columbus Crew.
Alongside the Hoops, Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia and former club Al Ahly in Egypt are both showing interest in the Aalborg-born hitman, who scored 38 goals in 59 games in the Egyptian Premier League before moving to the MLS in July. However, Palestine manager Ihab Abu Jazar believes his key man, Abou Ali, should reject more lucrative offers to sign for Celtic.
“He has several offers during the current period,” said Abu Jazar. “I advised him to move to Europe. His abilities make him very suitable for European leagues, and after a year or two at Celtic, I expect we would see him in the English Premier League. I strongly believe a move to Celtic is the most likely and best outcome for him.”
Rangers star linked to shock exit
Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland was offered an opportunity to leave the club in the summer, but opted to stay and fight for his Ibrox future. The experienced Englishman is said to have been offered an ‘exit strategy’ by Rangers official over the summer, with ex-Gers stopper Cammy Bell revealing Butland was on the list of player’s the club were happy to allow depart before he pulled the plug on a departure.
Having fallen out of favour with interim manager Barry Ferguson last summer, Bell claims the club were prepared to allow him to depart, only for the player himself to reject the exit. “He could have easily left Rangers in the summer; the exit strategy was there in place if he had wanted to do that,” Bell told The Sunday Post (via Record Sport). “But he did not do that, he did not make any noises about being unhappy whatsoever. Instead, he chose to knuckle down and work hard as his focus was on being Rangers' No.1. The fact he has done so is testament to him as a person. He loves the club, so he did not want to take what might well have been the easy option for him.”
Staying with Rangers, summer signing Joe Rothwell looks set to be rescued from his Ibrox nightmare following his underwhelming start to life at the club. The Englishman signed for an undisclosed fee from AFC Bournemouth in the summer, agreeing a three-year contract at the club, but has fallen out of the first team picture of late due to injury and a lack of form.
Earlier in the week, it was claimed that Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder had made the player a primary target in the January window, however, a fresh report says Derby County have entered the race for his signature. FootballLeagueWorld claim that Rams boss John Eustace is keen to strike a deal for the 30-year-old as a replacement for on loan playmaker Bobby Clark, who has been heavily linked to Celtic in recent months.
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