The 7 Premier League stars linked with Celtic and Rangers to be released - Liverpool ace, England internationals, £12m midfielder

The Old Firm are forever being linked with players from England and around Europe – which ones from the EPL have been freed?

Nathaniel Clyne and Jordon Ibe have been linked with moves to Rangers and Celtic respectively. Picture: Getty

The Premier League have revealed the players set to be released by all 20 clubs come the end of their contracts.

Within the list of more than 160 are a number of individuals who have been linked with a move to Celtic or Rangers this summer, or in the past.

The EPL clubs were required to submit their retained and released lists to the League by 23 June.

Joe Hart has been released by Burnley. Picture: Getty

Some players have been offered a contract extension until the end of the current season with it not due to finish until the end of July, with the league having resumed earlier this month.

With a host of talented players set to be available on a free it will likely fuel the rumour mill, but which players have been linked with a switch to either of the Old Firm.

Jordon Ibe

He made his Wycombe Wanderers debut aged 15, becoming the club’s youngest-ever player in the Football League and then youngest-ever goal scorer. He was snapped up by Liverpool aged 16 and went on to play 58 times for Liverpool without fulfilling the enormous hype.

Dion McGhee is wanted by a number of clubs, including Rangers reportedly, since his release from Manchester United. Picture: Getty

A £15million move to Bournemouth hasn’t worked out and is set to exit on a free contract.

Brendan Rodgers was keen on bringing the player to Parkhead but was reportedly quoted £20million.

Joe Hart

Two years ago both sides of the Old Firm were among the favourites to sign the England international. He has once again been touted as a potential Celtic signing if they cannot recruit Fraser Forster.

When he returns to Bournemouth, Celtic will be left with just one first-team goalkeeper in Scott Bain with Craig Gordon having exited on a free.

Hart’s career has been on a downward trajectory since Pep Guardiola’s arrival at Manchester City. He had spells at Torino and West Ham before joining Burnley. He hasn’t played in the league for the Clarets this campaign.

Claudio Bravo

Another goalkeeper reportedly on Celtic’s radar is the Chilean ace. Bravo is highly decorated at both domestic and international level having played for Colo Colo, Real Sociedad, Barcelona and Manchester City. He has been offered a contract extension until the end of the current campaign.

Speaking in the press recently, Bravo, who has 123 Chile caps, said he was flattered with the interest and will make a decision on his future soon.

Nathaniel Clyne

Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool links have perhaps encouraged the transfer link with Rangers. After more than 100 games for both Crystal Palace and Southampton, the 29-year-old joined Liverpool. Following two campaigns as a regular, injury and the rise of Trent Alexander-Arnold pushed him down the pecking order and on loan to Bournemouth.

It is a transfer which is only likely if James Tavernier departs and he would likely command a significant wage.

Dion McGhee

Manchester United offered the midfielder a new deal. It ensures them a development fee when the player joins his next club. Rangers and Celtic have both used the cross-border fee to their advantage.

And it is the Ibrox side who have been heavily linked with a move, reportedly one of three teams who are frontrunners for his signature.

Jack Colback

The 30-year-old hasn’t played for Newcastle United in the last three seasons, but has spent two campaigns with Nottingham Forest on loan.

Hugely experienced, he was linked with a move to Scotland last summer, with Celtic and Rangers the only teams likely to be able to afford him, and will be eager to get back playing having not played competitively in over a year.

Jack Rodwell

The midfielder hasn’t fulfilled the promise which prompted Manchester City to buy him from Everton for £12million. He has played just 26 times since the start of the 2017/18 season.

He has, unsurprisingly, been linked with a switch north to both sides of the Old Firm during that time.

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