Celtic rivalled for key target, Rangers eye dual deal, Hearts seal ‘dream’ move - Scottish transfer news
All the latest Scottish transfer news on Wednesday morning - including reports from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Kilmarnock and beyond.
The Scottish Premiership transfer deadline is fast approaching, with September 3 now little over a week away. Can your club get any more deals done before the window slams shut?
In your Wednesday morning transfer bulletin, we’ve got the all the latest news from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Kilmarnock and beyond.
Kilmarnock sanction departure
Kilmarnock have allowed young defender Ethan Schilte-Brown to join NIFL Premiership side Glentoran on a season-long loan, subject to international clearance. The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season at Rugby Park last year, making 18 league appearances for the club, and was crowned Young Player of the Year after impressing at the heart of Neil McCann’s defence.
However, he has featured just once this season after a raft of new additions at centre-back, and the club have now sanctioned a loan move to The BetMcLean Oval, where the Canadian will now look to gain more regular senior action. A product of the Orlando City youth system, Schilte-Brown moved to Scotland in 2023 to join Kilmarnock's academy. He enjoyed loan spells with Cumnock Juniors, Albion Rovers and Dumbarton before making his debut for the Kilmarnock first team last season.
“This is a big opportunity for me and one which I am relishing. I am determined to make the most of my time here," said Schilte-Brown. “You want to be competing at the top end of the table, challenging for trophies and playing in big games, and that was a major attraction for me."
Hearts seal ‘dream’ move
Hearts have completed the signing of Rhode Island striker JJ Williams for an undisclosed fee ahead of the crucial Conference League playoff clash with Rapid Wien this Thursday. The 27-year-old has agreed a two-year deal at Tynecastle after catching the eye of the Gorgie club by scoring 30 goals and providing 13 assists for the USL Championship side, and immediately boost head coach Wouter Vrancken’s forward options for the season ahead.
“It's a dream come true for me, honestly," William told HeartsTV. “I was hoping this deal would have been done a long time ago but the fact that I'm here, I'm getting immersed in the culture, I'm getting to experience a lot of the history that's Hearts. There is no place I'd rather be. It's the only club that I'm worried about and thinking about. I just want to take that big step. For so many years, I've been looking to get out of the States and it's just how everything happened for me to do it now. So I'm beyond blessed and happy to be here.”
Rangers eye dual winger deal
Kim Min-su has completed the first part of his Rangers medical ahead of his move from Girona. The Glasgow club has agreed to pay the South Korean’s release clause of £8.5million to complete the transfer, with Rangers ready to offer him a four-year contract at Ibrox. Now expected to be the club’s 12th new arrival of the window, and also their most expensive, edging out goalkeeper Ivor Pandur at £6million to become Rangers’ biggest signing of the summer.
The winger garnered attention on loan at FC Andorra last season in the Spanish second tier, scoring six goals and assisting four more. After winning a place in Girona’s starting XI in their opening game draw with Leganes last week upon his return, the club was thought to be hesitant to let the 20-year-old leave, though Rangers’ willingness to pay his release clause has left them powerless.
Meanwhile, Rangers have also been credited with an interest in PSV Eindhoven winger Esmir Bajraktarevic. As per several reports, Derek McInnes’ men will rival both Benfica and Eintracht Frankfurt for the 21-year-old Bosnian international, who is understood to be available on a loan deal.
Celtic rivalled for key target
Celtic are set to face serious competition for key midfielder target Ermin Mahmic ahead of next week’s transfer deadline. Reeling from their shock defeat to LASK in the Champions League playoffs on Tuesday night, Martin O’Neill’s men risk missing out on the Bosnian international with Greek Super League side PAOK eyeing a late move for the £7.5million-rated Slovan Liberec playmaker.
Reports at the weekend claimed Celtic were edging closer to completing a seven-figure deal for the 21-year-old, who was a standout performer for his country at the World Cup in North America this summer, scoring twice as they made it through to the last 32 of the tournament. Billed as a like-for-like replacement for Arne Engels, who joined West Ham United for a fee of £22million last week, the Scottish champions were hoping to tie up a deal for the youngster as they sought additions to their engine room.
While no concrete offer has yet arrived from PAOK, reports claim they are ready to push ahead with a bid in the coming days as they look to oust Celtic to the signing, following their failure to qualify for the Champions League for the second successive season.
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