Scottish Football Transfer News: Celtic lose star to Liverpool for £600k, Huge Rangers title blow, Aberdeen target St Mirren trio, Brentford join race for £20m ex-Hearts star

It is a big weekend for Scottish football, starting today with the draw for the World Cup later this year in Qatar.

Steve Clarke’s men are one of three teams who will share a ball in pot 4 for the event from Doha at 5pm GMT.

It is the first World Cup draw Scotland’s men’s national team have been in since France 1998 with plenty of excitement even though the team still need to overcome Ukraine then Wales in the play-off later this year.

Meanwhile, it is a busy evening of domestic football with two Championship games, including BBC Scotland’s live showing of Greenock Morton and Kilmarnock, while League One champions Kelty Hearts travel to the capital to face Edinburgh City.

All the latest news and transfer speculation from around the SPFL and Scottish football. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

There are a host of big games in the Premiership on Saturday in the penultimate fixturcard before the split. Currently four points separate fourth and tenth. As for the top of the league, Celtic travel to Rangers on Sunday.

All the latest news and transfer speculation from around the SPFL and Scottish football:

Hibs ace signs new deal

Joe Newell has committed his future to Hibs. The English midfielder has penned a two-year extension, taking him through until the end of the 2024/25 campaign. He said: "The club is going in a direction that I want to be involved in.”

Hibs ace Joe Newell has signed a new deal. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Manager Shaun Maloney added: “In terms of what we are trying to build here for the long-term, Joe is an integral and really influential player. Not only has he demonstrated a consistent high level of technical performance on the pitch, he plays a very important leadership role within the squad.” (The Scotsman)

Morelos huge doubt

Alfredo Morelos is set to miss the Old Firm clash on Sunday. The Rangers striker was pictured at Glasgow airport on crutches. He was heading to London to see a specialist regarding a thigh issue. Morelos was called up for international duty but was unable to play in either of Colombia’s qualifiers as they missed out on the World Cup. His absence could be a vital blow in the tile race. (Scottish Sun)

Celtic-Rangers Aussie friendly OFF

Rangers star Alfredo Morelos is a serious doubt for the Old Firm clash. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Rangers pulled the plug on their controversial involvement in the Sydney Super Cup. The Ibrox side were due to play Celtic in a friendly in Australia later this year when the Scottish Premiership breaks for the World Cup. However, the Ibrox club confirmed their decision to pull out. A statement read: "After it became clear the tournament organisers were unwilling to fulfil their commitments to Rangers, we have, with immediate effect, terminated the club's agreement with the organisers." (The Scotsman)

Goodwin's Kennedy frustration

Jim Goodwin will have to make do without winger Matty Kennedy for the Dundee clash on Saturday, much to the frustration of the Aberdeen boss who is a massive fan of the former St Johnstone ace. Kennedy has been suffering from a back issue. Goodwin said: "Matty was fit and available when I came in and he knows I think the world of him. He is a player I tried to get on a couple of occasions when I was at St Mirren. This ongoing injury that he has has been a huge frustration for him and for me and that's something that we need to make sure we get right in the next couple of weeks.” (Various)

Celtic star leaves for £600k

Liverpool have won the race to sign Ben Doak from Celtic. The Scottish league leaders will receive £600,000 for the teenage winger who was also wanted by Leeds United. The 17-year-old has had interest from Liverpool long-term and made his Celtic first-team debut earlier this season. He recently demonstrated his talent on the international stage, helping Scotland Under-17s reach the European Championship finals. (The Athletic)

Alnwick interest confirmation

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson has confirmed the club have an approach for goalkeeper Jak Alnwick. The Englishman is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a reunion with former Buddies boss Jim Goodwin at Aberdeen. Robinson said: “It would be wrong of me to talk about private conversations. We have had approaches from different people. Some do it the right way and have the respect to speak to you about it but they are not obliged to, that is football.” (Daily Record)

Dons eye trio of Buddies

Alnwick is just one of three St Mirren players Goodwin is reportedly looking to take to Aberdeen. Charles Dunne is a target but with the player under contract for next season he would command a six-figure fee. The defender has been a regular for the Buddies recently. The Dons have also been linked with a move for Connor Ronan, St Mirren's on-loan Wolves midfielder who has impressed, netting some excellent goals. (Daily Record)

Old Firm option for Braga boss

Braga boss Carlos Carvalhal has revealed he was “connected" with the Celtic and Rangers jobs in the past. The former Sheffield Wednesday manager confirmed he was an option for the Ibrox club when they were in the Championship. He said: “When Rangers were in the second division, before Mark was there, I was connected with both Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday. In that moment, it was a question of minutes. I was talking with both clubs but Sheffield Wednesday was faster in that moment.” (Scottish Sun)

Hickey’s EPL interest

Brentford are the latest team to join the race for former Hearts star Aaron Hickey. The teenage full-back earned his first two Scotland caps over the past week after impressing in Serie A with Bologna. Hickey has been linked with a £15-20m move to Newcastle United while Italian giants AC Milan consider him a transfer target with technical director Paolo Maldini a fan. (Sky Sports)

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