Duo battle for 'bargain' Rangers man, Hearts hold talks, Celtic exit ‘reaches agreement’ - transfer news

Rangers warned against striker deal

Ex-Rangers striker Kris Boyd has scolded Rangers players following their underwhelming season by claiming “too many are in their comfort zone”. The former Scotland international was speaking with fellow Sky Sports pundits James McFadden and Chris Sutton when he was asked if the club should move to tie-down hotshot forward Hamza Igamane following his impressive hat-trick in the 3-3 draw with Hibs at the weekend, following rumours that English Premier League clubs are circling.

"You're probably looking at some of your teammates and what they're earning and I don't think he'll be in comparison with them,” said Boyd. “Does he deserve a new contract? He probably needs to do it for a few more weeks anyway. He's already under contract. There's nothing wrong with keeping people hungry. There comes a time when you do need to reward them. But there's far too many players at Rangers who have been in their comfort zone for a long period now. If you keep rewarding after every five games...you can't do it. He's already under contract for five years.” Fellow pundit McFadden echoed Boyd’s claims, adding: “You can't just offer him a contract every time you go through a good spell. If there's teams that come in and offer money for him, and the players want to leave - that's when you try and get him to stay. When you have a good season, that is the time you reward him with a new contract.”

Hamza Igamane has been excellent form at Rangers over the festive period. | Getty Images

Scotland cap completes move

Ross County striker Eamonn Brophy has completed a loan move Scottish Championship promotion chasers Falkirk, joining the club on loan until the end of the season. The one-cap Scotland forward was also being chased by promotion rivals Ayr United, but it is the Bairns who have won the race for his signature. The 28-year-old striker has struggled for form at Dingwall this season, failing to score in 16 appearances, which has led to Staggies boss Don Cowie sanctioning a loan move. Ross County have already replaced Brophy in their squad with the signing of Huddersfield Town’s Kieran Phillips earlier in the week.

Eamonn Brophy has joined Falkirk on a deal until the end of the season (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Scottish boss set for shock EPL return

Former West Ham United manager David Moyes could be set for a sensational return to the English Premier League with Everton following the sacking of Sean Dyche on Thursday night. The 61-year-old Glaswegian has been out of work since departing the London Stadium in the summer, and was tentatively linked with the Scotland head coach role following the Tartan Army’s exit from Euro 2024. However, Moyes could now be set to make return to Goodison Park 11 years after he first left the Merseyside club to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, according to several reports.

The Toffees axed Dyche, 53, just hours before their FA Cup tie against Peterborough following a poor run of results, with Moyes almost immediately installed as the favourite, with reports claiming he could return to the club where he previously managed for over a decade between 2002 and 2013. It is understood that Moyes has already entered talks with the Everton hierarchy and was ‘immediately considered’ for the vacant role at Goodison upon Dyche’s sacking.

David Moyes has been linked to a return to Everton following the sacking of Sean Dyche. | AFP via Getty Images

Hearts hold talks with forward

Hearts have begun talks with the Kilmarnock forward Danny Armstrong, who is out of contract at Rugby Park this summer. As per the Edinburgh Evening News, the 27-year-old is available to be approached over a pre-contract agreement in the summer and the Jambos have made their first move, with Killie boss Derek McInnes resigned to losing the player at the end of the campaign. Despite the approach, no agreement has yet been put it place for Armstrong as the player weighs up his options over the next few weeks.

Several outgoings are expected at Tynecastle too, with centre-back Kye Rowles close to agreeing a move that will see him join MLS outfit DC United in a £600,000 deal, while striker Liam Boyce is set to complete a return to Northern Ireland with Derry City. Reports also state that young midfielder Macaulay Tait is available on a loan deal until the end of the current campaign.

Kilmarnock winger Danny Armstrong has been linked with a move to Hearts in the summer. | SNS Group

Celtic exit ‘reaches agreement’

Celtic could be set to say goodbye to another player this week after reports claimed a second Hoops departure was edging closer to completion. The club confirmed centre-back Stephen Welsh had completed a loan move to Belgian top flight outfit KV Mechelen yesterday via their official website, and now teammate Luis Palma looks set to join him in making a temporary move away from Glasgow, with the Honduran ‘in talks’ over a loan exit.

The forward enjoyed a bright first season at Celtic Park, but has fallen down the pecking order under Brendan Rodgers this season and has been targeted by a number of clubs in Europe this January. However, it appears La Liga outfit Rayo Vallecano have won the race for his signature, with Estadiodeportivo claiming Palma has “reached an agreement" to join the club on loan. The Spanish side are also looking to include an option that would allow them to buy the 24-year-old at the end of the season.

Luis Palma is expected to leave Celtic in January. | Getty Images

Duo battle for ‘bargain’ Rangers man

Birmingham City could add to their former Rangers contingent this month after joining to the race for an Ibrox defender believed to be available at a ‘bargain’ price. The big spending EFL League One side have already added ex-Gers men Ben Davies (loan) and Scott Wright to their side this season, but are now looking to challenge Midlands neighbours West Bromwich Albion for out-of-favour full-back Adam Devine.

The Rangers academy graduate has not featured for the first team for over a year having fallen out of the picture under Philippe Clement at Ibrox and had been tipped to make a move to the Hawthorns earlier in the week. The managerless Baggies were looking to add depth to their squad in the second-half of the campaign and see Devine as versatile option that is able to cover both full-back positions. However, they could now be gazumped by Chris Davies’ Birmingham after a report from Mail Sport claimed the League One table toppers have moved to the front of the queue for Devine’s signature.