Celtic £4m target future addressed, Rangers double exit on cards, Hibs eye new appointment - football news

The latest news and speculation around Scottish football on Wednesday, April 24

Celtic £4m target future addressed

Celtic have been linked with Mathias Kvistgaarden for the past two transfer windows but the move could finally happen this summer after Brondby boss Jesper Sorensen admitted a departure could be on the cards. The Danish striker has contributed 10 goals and seven assists to his club's Superliga title bid this season, but has not featured since picking up a knee injury in a 2-1 win over FC Copenhagen at the start of the month. He is unlikely to play again this season and asked whether the £4m Celtic target could have played his last game for the club, Sorensen responsed "with a smile on his face". He told Tipsbladet: "That's a good question. I'd rather not speculate on it. I hope not, but we'll have to see. I don't really have any idea what time will bring."

Rangers double exit on cards

Celtic continue to be linked with Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden, pictured in action for Denmark Under-21s last year. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Trabszonspor are making progress in their bid to sign Rangers duo Borna Barisic and John Lundstram, according to reports in Turkey. The Ibrox pair are out of contract at the end of the season although manager Philippe Clement has previously stated that he hopes to tie Lundstram down to a new contract with further talks planned. Turkish outlet Fanatik claim that negotations to bring in Barisic have already reached a "happy ending" with the Croatia international set to end his six-year stint at Rangers this summer. They also claim that the Super Lig club are trying to reach an "agreement in principle" with Lundstram, suggesting that the 30-year-old Englishman has turned down the initial contract offer made to remain at Ibrox.

Hibs eye new appointment

Hibs are weighing up the appointment of a new technical director this summer, according to a report. The Leith side are undertaking a full review of their footballing operations after Bournemouth owner Bill Foley secured a minority shareholding in the Easter Road club with a £6m investment. Manager Nick Montgomery is under scrutiny with a mandate to improve results between now and the end of the season following the "unacceptable" failure to secure a place in the Premiership's top six. According to the Edinburgh Evening News, the position of director of football Brian McDermott is also under review with club chiefs looking at potential candidates for the new overarching role which would be modelled on the set-up currently in place at Bournemouth. Foley’s Black Knight group have two seats on the board and are looking to protect their investment by exerting real influence on how the football department operates.

Livi set for ‘huge’ overhaul

David Martindale is braced for a “huge” summer overhaul as he bids to get floundering Livingston back on track for next season. The Lions are currently 12 points adrift at the foot of the cinch Premiership with five games to play and will be officially relegated to the Championship if they lose at home to second-bottom Ross County on Saturday. Martindale feels the end of this demoralising campaign represents an opportunity for a “reset” at the West Lothian club. “Right now, there are probably 14, 15 players who are not going to be here next year through being out of contract and maybe through choice also,” said the Livi boss on Wednesday. I believe I’ve got a really strong group of 12 or 13 (who will remain) and we need to build on that. I think it’s probably time that as a group we need to reset and look at whatever next season brings to us. There’s a lot of players out of contract, probably more so than other years. We would probably have had a better chance of keeping some players if we had secured Premiership survival so there’s been a lot of spinning plates. There’s going to be a huge overall overhaul in the summer. I’m disappointed to lose some but I’m really pleased with the boys that are under contract and are going to be here next season.”