Transfer Deadline Day live blog: Hearts sign Dauda & Souttar | Kazim-Richards joins Celtic

John Souttar is close to completing his Hearts move. Picture: SNS

Midnight: The window has now SLAMMED shut. You can rest easy if you feared the transfer of your favourite player, or simmer with bitter resentment if you pined for a new hero to arrive.

11.58pm: DONE DEAL - Sneaking in under the window (or waiting until the last minute to troll the media), Hearts confirm the signing of John Souttar. The 19-year-old arrives from Dundee United on a three-and-a-half-year deal for fee believed to be around £150,000.

11.40pm: Jordan McGhee’s move from Hearts to Middlesbrough on loan has fallen through. The deal would have seen the youngster going to the Riverside on an initial loan with a view to winning a permanent deal in the summer. However, the player will now remain with Hearts for the remainder of the season.

Nigerian Abiola Dauda has signed on loan until the end of the season at Hearts. Picture: AFP/Getty

11.02pm: The window has SLAMMED shut south of the border, but here in Scotland it remains open for another hour. Not much is expected to happen other than John Souttar’s signing for Hearts to go through.

10.51pm: It would John Souttar will be cup-tied for Sunday’s Edinburgh derby. Both sides were initially under the impressed that because he only appeared as a unused substitute in an earlier round for Dundee United, he would be available for selection. However, it appears that under SFA rules, he will be unavailable for the rest of the competition should his deal to Hearts go through.

10.30pm: DONE DEAL - Kilmarnock complete the signings of both Gary Dicker from Carlisle United and right back Lee Hodson on loan from MK Dons.

10.08pm: DONE DEAL - David Goodwillie has completed his loan move to Ross County.

Colin Kazim-Richards has signed on at Celtic until 2018. Picture: Getty

9.57pm: Aberdeen’s bid for Greg Tansey now appears to be on the verge of collapsing. It was thought the Dons had triggered a release clause in the ICT player’s contract, allowing his release for a fee of £200,000. It has now become apparent that things are not as straight-forward as they first seemed.

9.32pm: Aberdeen are expected to complete the signing of Simon Church from MK Dons. The former Reading striker will join on loan until the summer. He looks set to replace David Goodwillie who has been linked with Ross County, while Inverness are also said to be interested in the former Dundee United forward.

9.09pm: Danny Swanson has left Hearts prior to an expected return to St Johnstone. The midfielder joined the club towards the end of the summer transfer window but struggled to make an impact at Tynecastle. He spent the second half of last season on loan at St Johnstone and manager Tommy Wright would be keen to bring him back to McDiarmid Park.

9.08pm: According to his Wikipedia page, Dauda has scars underneath both eyes given to him at birth. This could be one scary prospect for Scottish football defenders to deal with.

Rangers haven't given up hope of landing Michael O'Halloran and have made a third bid. Picture: SNS Group

9.00pm: DONE DEAL - South of the border, Scotland striker Jordan Rhodes has moved from Blackburn Rovers to Middlesbrough on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

8.45pm: DONE DEAL - Partick Thistle have completed their loan of Celtic youngster Adam Nesbitt.

8.40pm: John Souttar has arrived at Tynecastle. Panic over (see below for explanation).

8.26pm: Scotsman sources say there could be a hitch in John Souttar’s move to Tynecastle. The player hasn’t arrived in Edinburgh yet and there’s a suggestion the impending Forth Road Bridge closure could stop him getting to Edinburgh in time to complete the deal. Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has apparently been dragging his heels over the move.

Hearts striker Osman Sow is wanted by a side in China. Picture: Neil Hanna

8.15pm: DONE DEAL - Hearts announce the signing of 27-year-old striker Abiola Dauda on loan from Vitesse Arnhem until the end of the season. This one was very hush, hush. No talk of it happening whatsoever but boss Robbie Neilson insists the player was his No.1 target for this transfer window. Whether he replaces Osman Sow remains to be seen. No update on the striker’s reported £1.5 million move to China.

8.05pm: Hearts send out a teasing tweet regarding a new striker. No name yet.

7.57pm: Hearts are considering a move for Notts County left back Blair Adams. The impending move of Jordan McGhee to Middlesbrough, along with Igor Rossi’s suspension, has left them short in that area.

Blair Adams among left-backs being considered by Hearts

7.53pm: DONE DEAL - Scottish international striker Steven Fletcher, previously linked with Celtic, has signed on loan with Ligue 1 club Marseille until the end of the current campaign. The Sunderland attacker has scored only four goals for the Black Cats this season.

7.49pm: John Souttar looks to be on his way to Tynecastle after Hearts and Dundee United finally agreed a fee for the defender. Meanwhile, Jordan McGhee looks set to join Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season.

7.20pm: DONE DEAL - Celtic have signed much-travelled striker Colin Kazim-Richards on a two-and-a-half-year deal. The Turkish international replaces Nadir Ciftci, who moved on loan to Eskisehirspor earlier in the day. Kazim-Richards was in terrific goalscoring form for Feyenoord last season, but struggled in the current campaign and was suspended by the Dutch giants over an incident with a journalist.

7.02pm: Kilmarnock are close to signing MK Dons defender Lee Hodson. Right back has been a problem position for Killie for quite some time and this addition may finally plug that particular gap.

6.53pm: Highly rated Celtic youngster Aidan Nesbitt is on the verge of joining Partick Thistle on loan until the end of the campaign.

6.47pm: A move taking Jordan McGhee to Middlesbrough is nearing completion. Hearts are willing to let the young defender leave, but talks are ongoing as to whether it will be a loan move or a permanent move, and if so, what the transfer fee will be.

6.32pm: Livingston have approached Rangers about the possibility of taking Nicky Clark on loan until the end of the season. The striker is behind Kenny Miller and Martyn Waghorn in the Ibrox pecking order and will likely fall down the ladder further after the addition of Michael O’Halloran.

6.29pm: It appears Inverness CT have moved quickly to replace the outgoing Greg Tansey after agreeing a deal with former Brentford midfielder Ryan Williams. The 24-year-old left Griffin Park earlier today and will join John Hughes’ side for the remainder of the season.

6.20pm: Middlesbrough have emerged as the leading contenders to sign Hearts defender Jordan McGhee. Talks between the Tynecastle club and Dundee United are ongoing regarding the potential transfer of John Souttar.

6.05pm: Ross County are looking to complete a loan move for Aberdeen striker David Goodwillie. The former Scotland international has only scored twice for the Dons this season. He would also be cup-tied for County’s League Cup final clash with Hibernian.

6.02pm: There’s talk that Colin Kazim-Richards’ move to Celtic is all but a done deal. A two-and-a-half-year contract was muted earlier today for the Feyenoord striker.

5.54pm: The agent of Kris Commons has made it known to Daily Record journalist Keith Jackson that his client is going nowhere this transfer window. Apparently he was being bombarded with questions about Commons moving on from Celtic.

5.38pm: Clubs down south are chasing young Hearts defender Jordan McGhee. The Scotsman understands Hearts may be willing to part with the defender if they can tie up a deal to sign John Souttar to Dundee United by the end of the current transfer window.

5.37pm: Despite rumours to the contrary, Aberdeen are expected to seal their £200,000 signing of Greg Tansey later tonight.

5.20pm: DONE DEAL - Celtic have completed a deal that sends Nadir Ciftci on loan to Turkish side Eskisehirspor until the end of the season. The striker has struggled since his £1.5 million move from Dundee United last summer, netting only four goals in 22 appearances. However, there are still three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract at Celtic Park.

5.03pm: DONE DEAL - It’s finally been completed! Michael O’Halloran is a Rangers player. The flying winger joins the club on a four-and-a-half-year deal for a fee believed to be around £500,000. Read Craig Fowler’s comment article from earlier this month for an opinion on what he brings to Mark Warburton’s side.

4.59pm: Midfielder Gary Dicker is undergoing a medical at Rugby Park. It wasn’t known whether the deal to sign the Carlisle United player would still be on after the departure of Gary Locke, but Kilmarnock have been keen to continue their pursuit of the 29-year-old.

4.44pm: Sheffield United have cancelled the contract of Michael Higdon. Wonder where he’s going?

4.36pm: There’s a rumour going around that Barry Ferguson is trying to sign his old Rangers team-mate Daniel Cousin for League Two club. It sounds too good to be true and, sadly, that is how it appears.

4.25pm: It is rumoured Inverness are trying to put the kibosh on Greg Tansey’s move to Aberdeen by refusing to let the player speak to his potential new club. Aberdeen have reportedly triggered a release clause with an offer of £200,000, but they must get the deal done before 11pm to sign the player before the window closes. Inverness want to keep Tansey until the end of the season at least, and could be looking to stall the deal by any means possible.

3.40pm: St Johnstone and Hibernian could be set to do battle again - this time for Stefan Scougall, rather than a League Cup final berth. Hibs are reportedly keen on signing the former Easter Road youth on a loan deal while the Saints are pondering a permanent deal for the Sheffield United playmaker.

3.25pm: Sigh of relief for Hibs fans - talismanic zing king Jason Cummings is going nowhere, according to reports. The striker with the ‘touch of an angel’ netted his 18th goal of the season in the 2-1 League Cup semi-final win over St Johnstone and had been linked with approximately two-thirds of the English Championship.

2.45pm: DONE DEAL - It’s great to see Hearts really getting in the spirit of things. Immediately after concluding the deal to sign Don Cowie, the Gorgie Road club sent out Morgaro Gomis on loan to Motherwell until the end of the season. The previously packed Hearts midfield no longer looks so crowded, and the Cowie deal begins to make more sense as Hearts clearly believe they are signing an upgrade on Gomis.

2.35pm: DONE DEAL - Hearts have signed ex-Scotland international Don Cowie after the player’s release from Wigan. The 32-year-old will join an already competitive Hearts midfield corps with Prince Buaben, Arnaud Djoum, Morgaro Gomis and Miguel Pallardo all first team regulars in the central positions.

2.32pm: Former Aberdeen and Scottish youth internationalist Chris Maguire has joined Oxford United after leaving Rotherham.

2.16pm: After the shock of seeing that rumoured Osman Sow deal we almost forgot to bring you an update of the Steven Fletcher situation. The Scotland striker is on his way to France to complete his move from Sunderland to Marseille.

2.03pm: Here is a deadline day move you didn’t expect to hear about: Osman Sow to Chinese side Henan Jianye in a deal worth £1.5 million. The striker has fewer than six months to run on his current deal and his move would represent a major return for the club on their investment. Though it would leave them short in attack with the Edinburgh derby up next week, unless they were able to bring in another striker before the close of business today.

1.50pm: Hearts’ second offer to Dundee United for John Souttar was around the £120,000 mark. The Edinburgh club are expected to bid again, but may be well short of Dundee United’s valuation.

1.32pm: DONE DEAL - Former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady has moved on loan to Sheffield Wednesday. The Irish international joins the ex-Celtic contingent of Glenn Loovens, Gary Hooper and Ross Wallace at the Yorkshire club.

1.25pm: Michael O’Halloran arrives at Murray Park ahead of his impending move to Rangers. St Johnstone have agreed a fee for the sale of the flying winger with the Ladbrokes Championship leaders.

1.23pm: Falkirk release midfielder Thomas Grant. The 20-year-old hadn’t featured for the club at any point this season.

1.20pm: DONE DEAL - Wow! Manchester City may just have won at transfer deadline day. The club announce that manager Manuel Pellegrini will leave at the end of the season to be replaced with, none other than, Pep Guardiola on a three-year deal.

12.51pm: DONE DEAL - Celtic have announced the signing of Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts on an 18-month loan deal. The youngster joined Manuel Pellegrini’s side last summer after agreeing to a £12 million switch from Fulham. He has played three times for City’s first team this campaign.

12.38pm: Tyler Blackett is to remain at Celtic after rumours suggested he was on his way out. The Manchester United loan player has played only once since a disastrous substitute appearance against Molde in the Europa League, and even that was against League One Stranraer in the Scottish Cup.

12.32pm: Reports that Aberdeen could be signing Inverness CT midfielder Greg Tansey after triggering a release clause in the player’s contract. It is said the deal would be in excess of £200,000. Aberdeen were busy in last year’s January transfer window when they prized Kenny McLean from St Mirren. They also snapped up former Caley Thistle captain Graeme Shinnie in the summer after initially agreeing a pre-contract with the player.

12.25pm: Don Cowie to Hearts is nearing completion. The Edinburgh Evening News is reporting that the deal is all but done.

12.20pm: St Johnstone have accepted Rangers’ third bid for Michael O’Halloran. It is understood the two parties discussed adding Nicky Law to the transfer, but the English midfielder will remain at Ibrox. O’Halloran will now have a medical ahead of the deal being completed.

12.13pm: Conflicting reports on the Michael O’Halloran to Rangers deal. One report suggests Nicky Law could be heading to St Johnstone as part of the transfer, while another suggest Rangers’ third bid has been accepted and the player is due to undergo a medical.

12.02pm: Hearts have second bid for Dundee United youngster John Souttar knocked back by the Tannadice club, according to STV. The player is free to talk to other teams with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, but Hearts wish to secure his immediate transfer. If they were to agree a pre-contract with the player instead, United would still be due a development fee in compensation.

11.46am: O’Halloran to Rangers talk intensifies as the club reschedule a 12.30pm press conference for 4pm. Could it be they hope to have a new player to show off in the time between?

11.34am: St Johnstone have released midfielder Liam Caddis. The 22-year-old came through the youth ranks at McDiarmid Park but has never been able to establish himself as a first team regular.

10.57am: We’re hearing (via the Press Association) that Rangers have submitted a third bid for St Johnstone forward Michael O’Halloran, believed to be in the region of £500,000 ‘subject to various clauses’.

10.19am: Nadir Ciftci looks set for a return to his homeland as Celtic prepare to send the striker out on loan. Turkish Süper Lig side Eskişehirspor are said to be leading the chase for Ciftci. It is expected the ex-Dundee United forward will fall further down the pecking order with the impending arrivals of Colin Kazim-Richards and Patrick Roberts.

9.57am: Anyway, if you’re keen to pass the time, try our tricky January transfer window quiz. We’ll consider anything above 7/10 a respectable score. Click here to access the quiz >>>

9.54am: Still quiet out there but still plenty of time for deals to be struck before the window SLAMS SHUT. South of the Border, Hull boss Steve Bruce is reportedly happy to let ex-Aberdeen and Rangers forward Sone Aluko leave, either on loan or permanently - could Sone do a job for your club?

9.13am: DONE DEAL - Partick Thistle have snapped up London-born forward Antonio German, from Indian side Kerala Blasters. The much-travelled 24-year-old has had spells with QPR, Stockport, Brentford and Gillingham among his ten clubs so far. He’s signed on at the Jags until the end of the current season.

9.12am: Despite talk of him returning to Scotland with Celtic, it’s been reported that Scotland international Steven Fletcher is holding talks with French side Marseille.

9.03am: One transfer saga south of the Border worth keeping an eye on is the one involving Jordan Rhodes. The Scotland striker looked to be on his way to Middlesbrough... but personal terms couldn’t be thrashed out. So unless there’s some frantic negotiations today, it looks like Rhodes will stay at Blackburn - and could line up against Boro this weekend.

9.01am: All quiet on the Scottish transfer front so far - have a read below of the latest transfer rumours, including Celtic linked with Belgian winger Anthony Limbombe, Hearts nearing a deal for ex-Scotland international Don Cowie, Aberdeen keen on an Australian midfielder Rostyn Griffiths and the fall-out from yesterday’s League Cup semi-final at Hampden...

Hoops linked with Limbombe

CELTIC have been linked with NEC Nijmegen’s Belgian winger Anthony Limbombe, after Parkhead representatives were spotted taking in the Dutch side’s clash with AZ Alkmaar.

The 21-year-old winger, who has had spells with Genk and Lierse, has netted 19 in 50 appearances for NEC after signing on in August 2014.

But Celtic could face competition from the likes of PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Feyenoord, who were all taking in the game.

Other potential targets include Polish defender Wojciech Golla, attacker Christian Santos or holding midfielder Janio Bikel. (SoccerNews.nl)

Hearts close to Cowie signing

HEARTS are hopeful of completing the signing of former Scotland international midfielder Don Cowie before the transfer window slams shut this evening.

The 32-year-old was released by Wigan last week and held talks with Aberdeen, while he has been linked with Rangers in the past.

Cowie could secure a move to Hearts by the close of play today but the Tynecastle side have ended their interest in Craig Wighton. However, Hearts could still look to bring in a striker before midnight. (Evening News)

Davies lined up for Killie job

FORMER Motherwell boss Billy Davies has been lined up as Kilmarnock’s next manager.

Davies, who was most recently in charge at Nottingham Forest, could replace Gary Locke, who resigned after Killie’s 1-0 defeat at home to Hamilton at the weekend.

Talks are set to be held today as Kilmarnock look to bring in a new boss as soon as possible. (Various)

Johansen could face SFA action

STEFAN Johansen could find himself in hot water with SFA beaks after he was seen to aim a kick at Ross County’s Martin Woods, before barging him over off the ball during Celtic’s 3-1 loss to the Staggies at Hampden.

Footage posted online shows the Norwegian - who was slammed by Celtic legend Frank McAvennie as well as the Celtic support for his performance - kick out at Woods before shoving him over just inside the County box.

And Johansen was also booked for a challenge on Andrew Davies at the death, with County defender Richard Foster feeling the Norwegian ‘could have been sent off’, on another day. (Various)

Jozo out for six weeks

CELTIC defender Jozo Simunovic faces up to six weeks on the sidelines, after the Croatian defender was forced to miss the semi-final clash with Ross County.

Simunovic has managed 18 appearances for Celtic but could be out until March after the extent of his knee injury was revealed. (Scottish Sun)

Kazim-Richards set to seal Hoops move

COLIN Kazim-Richards could sign a three-year deal with Celtic today after being released by Feyenoord.

The Turkish international is expected to arrive in Glasgow for talks this morning with a deal until 2019 the likely outcome. (Scottish Sun)

Dons chase Australian midfielder

ABERDEEN have been linked with former Gretna midfielder Rostyn Griffiths, who could join the Dons on loan from Dutch side Roda JC. (Various)

Aird joins Whitecaps on season-long loan

FRASER Aird has joined Vancouver Whitecaps on a season-long loan deal. The 20-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, has said he is keen to improve as a player at the MLS side. (Various)

Deila ‘odds-on’ to be axed before next season

RONNY Deila is now odds-on to get the boot before the start of next season after Celtic’s 3-1 loss to Ross County in the League Cup semi-final.

McBookie have the Norwegian at 4/11 to leave his post before the opening game of the 2016/17 campaign. (Various)

Gordon blasts Thomson over foul

CELTIC goalkeeper Craig Gordon has slammed referee Craig Thomson who he claims missed a foul on the ‘keeper in the build-up to Ross County’s second goal.

Footage appears to show Gordon being impeded as a corner arrives in the box, with Paul Quinn eventually getting on the end of a flick-on to give County the lead.

But Gordon fumed: “It’s absolutely incredible that was allowed to stand. [Alex] Schalk grabbed me from being, with two arms round my waist, and dragged me to the front post. It looked like something off their training ground.” (Various)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Dundee United have failed with an audacious bid to tempt Grant Holt to Tannadice after the 34-year-old was released by Wigan last week

• Inverness Caledonian Thistle are set to sign Liam Hughes with the attacking midfielder returning to Cambridge United to cancel his contract

• Livingston are calling on their fans to name and shame the supporters who allegedly racially abused club captain Darren Cole

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Transfer Deadline Day live blog: Hearts sign Dauda & Souttar | Kazim-Richards joins Celtic | Rangers sign O'Halloran