Key Rangers player announcement 'soon', Celtic target fan favourite and €8m winger, Ross County eye rival's midfielder - Scottish Premiership Rumour Mill

It has been a week where non-football action has taken centre stage in Scottish football.

Friday's latest from Scottish football. Picture: SNS

Celtic's trip to Dubai has dominated headlines, while the transfer window has been heating up with key moves already being made across the SPFL.

With few games on during the week, football returns tonight with the Scottish Cup and the clash between Queen’s Park and Queen of the South.

Here is all the latest news and transfer speculation from around Scottish football:

Fan favourite return at Parkhead...

Filip Benkovic could be allowed to return to Celtic on loan by Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers. With Christopher Jullien out for up to four months it leaves Neil Lennon short at centre-back. The Croatian ace impressed for the club across a 27-game loan spell in 2018/19 but hasn’t played early as much as he would have liked since with his loan spell at Cardiff City cut short. (The Scotsman)

Steelmen appoint penalty specialist

Motherwell have appointed former Scotland international Graham Alexander as new manager. The 49-year-old replaces Stephen Robinson and has brought Chris Lucketti to the club as assistant with Keith Lasley forming part of the coaching staff. He has previously managed Fleetwood Town. Scunthorpe United and Salford City. (The Scotsman)

Ross defends Scottish football

Hibs boss Jack Ross says he finds it “puzzling” that so much attention is given to football around the coronavirus pandemic in a political sphere. He said: “It would appear at times that it’s a diversion or a distraction that’s easy to take.” (Evening News)

French youth international a Celtic target

Celtic have made a move for €8m-rated winger Nathanael Mbuku. The 18-year-old has impressed in Ligue 1 for Stade de Reims and is a team-mate of Scotland U21 international George Hornby. A France U18 international, Mbuku is in demand with interest from Lille and Parma. Celtic are reported to have made an approach to find out a valuation for the player. (Foot Mercato)

Staggies add one and eye another

John Hughes wants to make St Mirren midfielder Sam Foley his second signing for Ross County. The new Staggies boss added former Hamilton and Buddies midfielder Tony Andreu to his squad on Thursday. Now he has turned his attentions to Foley who has been a key player for JIm Goodwin across the past two campaigns but has been on the bench for the last eight games. (Daily Record)

Dons star set for exit

Scott Wright is set to leave Aberdeen at the end of the season after contract talks stalled. The midfielder’s deal expires at the end of the season and Derek McInnes is keen to keep him. However, he has revealed the player is keeping his options open and could look to move down south. (Evening Express)

Serie A interest in Celtic youngster?

Celtic youngster Armstrong Okoflex has interest from Serie A. The 18-year-old winger, who joined from Arsenal in 2018, is out of contract later this year and has yet to feature for the first-team. Bologna and Torino have been linked with the Irishman previously and are expected to be joined by fellow Serie A sides. (Tutto Mercato)

Gers starlet deal

Rangers are set to announce a new contract for starlet Kai Kennedy “soon." The player will then be loaned to Championship side Raith Rovers. Kennedy has been on loan at Inverness CT where he excited and impressed under John Robertson. Talks with Rangers had initially stalled but the parties have reach an agreement. (The Athletic)