Celtic splurge, Rangers exits, Hearts intrigue: what to expect from Premiership clubs ahead of transfer deadline
We take a look at the anticipated transfer business for all top-flight Scottish clubs
The transfer window closes for all 12 Scottish Premiership clubs on Thursday at 5pm, bringing to an end two months of speculation, gossip and major signings.
Will Celtic splash more cash to strengthen their squad? Will Hibs keep their prized midfielders? Is more activity anticipated at Hearts and Rangers?
All of the clubs have been active this summer and with just a few days left to go before the window slams shut, we take a look at what each top-flight team in Scotland needs:
Aberdeen
Manager Stephen Robinson got a lot of his transfer business done early and has moulded a team that is far harder to beat than last season’s version.
It is therefore understandable why Robinson said it is “very doubtful” that any more players will come in, although there is a lack of creativity from central areas.
More departures are not anticipated after the bulk of Jimmy Thelin’s signings were moved on in the past few weeks.
Celtic
Celtic splashed the thick end of £25 million on forwards Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran, plus winger Haissem Hassan and midfielder Mika Baur. It was not enough to get them into the Champions League, but the Premiership holders still intend to do business.
Central midfield is a priority area. Parma’s Oliver Sorensen is set to join on loan, while talks continue with Torino for their Lithuanian No 8 Gvidas Gineitis. Celtic are also understood to be closing in on Joel van den Berg, a 19-year-old from PSV Eindhoven, while there is interest in versatile Crystal Palace man Justin Devenny.
Celtic are also light at left-back and want a back-up for Kieran Tierney.
In terms of outgoings, late interest may emerge in Benjamin Nygren after last season’s exploits, while Reo Hatate could also exit should the right offer come in.
Dundee
Dundee have made a decent start to the season and are winning plaudits for their style of play under manager Steven Pressley. That has been helped by nine new arrivals across all areas of the pitch.
Nevertheless, more recruits are desired before the window closes. A central defender and wide midfielder are understood to be the main areas of focus.
Simon Murray suffered a serious knee injury earlier this month, but last week’s signing of Bobby Wales on loan has strengthened that department.
No major exits are anticipated.
Dundee United
The Tannadice outfit have signed a mixture of domestic players and foreigners with potential sell-on value and their start to the Premiership campaign had been underwhelming up until last weekend’s 4-0 win over Kilmarnock.
They have made bids for Falkirk midfielder Brad Spencer, but those were labelled “embarrassing” by Bairns boss John McGlynn. It remains to be seen whether they will go back in for the playmaker, who could replace Vicko Sevelj after he joined Neftci Baku in Azerbaijan.
In terms of exits, left-back Will Ferry turned down a move to Sigma Olomouc earlier in the window and there was reported interest from Anderlecht. United are holding out for a seven-figure fee for the player, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
Falkirk
It’s been a summer of upheaval for Falkirk manager McGlynn, with a number of players from last season’s successful team having been sold or returned to parent clubs. They exited the Premier Sports Cup at the group stage and have yet to win in the Premiership.
Fourteen players have already been brought in and it remains to be seen whether more incomings will happen before Thursday.
In terms of exits, Falkirk do not want to sell Spencer, who remains very much on Dundee United’s radar.
Hearts
Hearts have already brought in 12 senior players by using Jamestown Analytics - and a couple more are expected to come in. They are closing in on deals for two 18-year-olds in Swiss midfielder Leart Kabashi from Grasshoppers Zurich and Faroese winger Aron Benjaminsen from Vikingur Gota.
Another centre-half addition would not come as a huge surprise, although Wouter Vrancken’s squad is already on the bloated side. As a result, expect some movement for fringe players such as Yan Dhanda, Sander Kartum and Elton Kabangu.
First-teamers Claudio Braga and Tomas Magnusson have been monitored all summer by potential suitors and Hearts may have to field bids for them before the window closes.
Hibs
Hibs head coach David Gray has been open about the prospect of both incomings and outgoings before the window closes and it could be an active few days at Easter Road.
A further option in attack could materialise, especially if record signing Thibault Klidje - who has struggled for minutes so far - moves on. There is interest in centre-half Warren O’Hora, although Hibs do not want to lose one of their main centre-halves.
Hibs are also braced for bids for their coveted midfield duo Josh Mulligan and Miguel Chaiwa, who feature on the shortlists of several clubs at home and on the continent.
Kilmarnock
Rock-bottom of the Premiership on zero points, Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann could not be blamed if he wanted to strengthen all areas of the pitch before Thursday’s deadline.
Defence is a concern given Killie have shipped an alarming number of goals in their matches this term - most recently a 4-0 defeat at home to Dundee United.
Nine players have already come in this season and there is interest from Burton Albion in defender George Stanger, while Robbie Deas was pictured in a moonboot after the United game. With that in mind, do not be surprised if there are defensive additions - even if McCann said at the weekend that he thinks his squad is good enough to flourish.
Motherwell
New Motherwell head coach Alfred Johansson has had to do some surgery on his squad amid exits and a raft of injuries and will have been pleased to see new striker Jardell Kanga score on his debut.
While fresh blood would be welcome, the priority is probably keeping hold of some of the team’s star names.
Last season’s top goalscorer Tawanda Maswanhise hit the net at the weekend and does have admirers across Europe, while the likes of Lukas Fadinger and Emmanuel Longelo remain from last season’s team.
Rangers
Rangers have already brought in 12 new faces for manager Derek McInnes in a spending spree that tops £20m. Expect another £9m to be added on top of that when Portland Timbers striker Kevin Kelsy arrives as the club’s main hitman.
That could be the end of the arrivals, although there should be some players heading out the way from Ibrox.
Nicolas Raskin is expected to leave, although no official bids have come in for the Belgian. Winger Djeidi Gassama is wanted by RB Salzburg and Monaco, while fringe players such as Lyall Cameron, Connor Barron and Bojan Miovski could leave if the price is right.
St Johnstone
St Johnstone had from the beginning of May to get their transfers in order after winning the Championship and are continuing to play easy-on-the eye football now back in the top flight.
Manager Simo Valakari is expected to look for a physical midfielder to add some strength to his team, while another striker may not go amiss to support the likes of Josh Fowler and Co.
St Mirren
St Mirren have overhauled their playing squad and style this summer under Craig McLeish, with 13 players brought in - the most by any Premiership side so far.
It has paid off - with St Mirren third in the table after a strong start to the campaign.
It is unlikely many more will come in, although star man Killian Phillips attracted some interest earlier in the window - including from Aberdeen - and may be the subject of late bids.
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