Rangers line up £18m deals, key Celtic star 'to stay', American winger jets in - Scottish transfer news
The latest transfer news in Scotland involving Celtic, Rangers and more
There is a week to go before the transfer window closes in Scotland as Premiership team prepare to reinforce their squad.
Already a number of clubs have done business - and we expect there to be a lot more during the next seven days.
Here are the latest transfer stories across the Scottish top flight this morning:
Rangers set to land huge double deal
Rangers are on the brink of spending nearly £18 million on two players as they bolster their attacking options.
Venezuelan striker Kevin Kelsy is reportedly jetting into Glasgow in a £9m deal from Portland Timbers, while Rangers are also close to signing South Korean winger Kim Min-su from Girona. The fee for that transfer is anticipated to be around £8.5m.
“I think we are close to certainly doing one,” manager Derek McInnes said. “Min-su is obviously one that we are really active on. We are not at a position where we can announce anything at the minute but it wouldn’t be a million miles away to suggest that hopefully that one happens for us.
"We are still working on one or two other things. The sooner we get them in, the better.”
A potential exit at Ibrox
Nicolas Raskin could have played his last game for Rangers after the Belgian midfielder was left in Scotland ahead of Thursday night’s Conference League tie against FK Jablonec.
Manager McInnes confirmed that there is transfer interest Raskin, who impressed during this summer’s World Cup. "We believe that interest has stepped up over the last couple of days,” confirmed McInnes. “Something may or may not happen.
“If Nico stays beyond the window then it would be great to work with him, if he doesn’t then we wish him well. I think everything moves on, Nico has served the club well.
“There is maybe an opportunity for him and the club to capitalise on that with a transfer fee. I don’t want to say too much about Nico at the minute until if and when something happens. It is still an if rather than a certainty.”
Gassama in demand
Staying with Rangers, their French winger Djeidi Gassama has reported interest from clubs in Serie A.
It is claimed both Monza and Parma have submitted bids in the region of £6m to Rangers for the 22-year-old, who joined the Ibrox club last summer from Sheffield Wednesday. However, it is understood that Gassama has a higher price-tag.
Speaking about Gassama recently, McInnes said: “Djeidi Gassama has the potential to be what we want here and we’re just looking for that a bit more often. He didn’t really play in his natural position for a long period last season.
“If he wants to play from that left-hand side, he’s got to understand what comes with that, like the responsibility to get up and down the pitch and produce at the right moments.”
McGregor pledges future to Celtic
Celtic captain Callum McGregor says he will stay at the club for the upcoming season despite their Champions League exit.
McGregor, 33, was part of the Celtic side that crashed out of the competition to LASK, fuelling speculation that he may decide to leave Parkhead amid long-running speculation of Saudi Arabian interest. However, the skipper says he will be staying put.
“The players are hurting and I’m hurting,” said McGregor. “Ultimately we’re the ones who carry the can for the club and we’re the ones who’ll get the criticism for it.
“We just have to take it on the chin and my job now is – and the job of the manager and the team, everybody – is to find a route forward that we know is a template for success.
“Then we’ll see, come the end of the season, where we are and what we’re achieved. But I’ll be here.”
Falkirk land American
CJ Fodrey has become the second American player to sign for Falkirk after joining on a season-long loan from MLS club Austin FC.
The arrival of the 22-year-old winger was announced just days after compatriot Jacob Murrell moved to the Bairns from DC United.
“CJ is an attacking player who can play across all four attacking positions,” boss John McGlynn told the Falkirk website. “He’s a tall, quick, physical player, with a tremendous attitude to work hard for the team and we look forward to working with CJ over the course of this season.
“As the fans will have noticed, we have spread our net far and wide to capture our two latest signings, including Jacob Murrell.
“This is due to the competition for players in the UK becoming increasingly difficult and it shows how far we will go to get the right type of player to for us.”
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