Scottish football transfer update: Celtic and Rangers tipped to sell stars, Liverpool and Leeds United eye Motherwell starlet, Aaron Hickey completes Serie A move

Andy Walker says no one should be surprised if key stars leave before the transfer window. Picture: SNS

Thursday has brought about another key exit from Scottish football with talented teenager Aaron Hickey leaving Hearts.

He follows Scott McKenna as well as the likes of Lyndon Dykes and Greg Docherty to leave the league.

More could follow in the coming days.

Here’s a round-up of the stories making the headlines from around the SPFL today:

Walker tips star exodus

Ex-Celtic forward Andy Walker admits he wouldn’t be surprised if even Celtic and Rangers are forced into selling players to help with finances.

With the coronavirus pandemic hitting clubs harder and fans not expected to return to grounds in the near future budgets will be impacted.

It could result in the likes of Ryan Kent and Odsonne Edouard being sold.

Walker told Sky Sports: "Given the extremely serious impact it will have on all SPFL clubs financially, no one should be surprised if any of our clubs resort to selling players to stem the tide.

"And that includes Celtic and Rangers who can call upon 40,000 - 50,000 season-ticket holders.

"There's not a single fan of either club prepared to contemplate star players like Odsonne Edouard or Ryan Kent leaving while the opportunity of either being part of a side that clinches 10-in-a-row or denies their bitter rivals that honour being just a few months away.

"But given the current uncertain and unstable financial world both operate in, who could really be shocked if either or both are sold to compensate for alarming losses?”

Hickey completes Bologna move

Aaron Hickey has finally been confirmed as a Bologna player.

After a protracted transfer saga, which saw interest from Bayern Munich, Celtic and Premier League teams, the player agreed a move to Serie A.

Confirmation has been a long time coming and the Italian club did it in style, or something like that.

The announcement video is best described as unusual, bizarre and pretty amusing.

The 18-year-old signs a long-term deal with 30 per cent of the undisclosed fee heading to Celtic. He could be in line for a debut against Parma on Monday.

Premier League trio want Motherwell starlet

Motherwell teenager Sam Campbell is interesting Liverpool, Leeds United and Brighton.

The 16-year-old has been offered a new deal by the Steelmen, but according to Press Association the Premier League trio have had bids accepted for the defender.

Crystal Palace are also understood to be monitoring the situation.

Lennon's transfer concerns

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has admitted transfer plans could be impacted by the latest Scottish Government restrictions on fans returning to grounds.

He said: “It has been difficult to predict and navigate what this transfer window is going to be like. There has been some money spent but not in the bundles you would expect.

“Clubs have been wary and the news on Tuesday may have made them more cautious, so we are not exclusive to that. That will be something Peter [Lawwell] and the board will be looking very hard at.”