The latest transfer rumours for Celtic and Rangers ahead of this weekend’s action.
The Scottish Premiership will take a brief break this weekend as Celtic and Rangers spring into action in the Scottish League Cup. The Hoops are up against Hibs while the Gers are hosting St Johnstone at Ibrox.
There is still time for transfer business to unfold as well, so let’s take a look at some of the latest headlines doing the rounds on the Glasgow rumour mill.
Free agent midfielder a ‘main target’ for Celtic
Celtic continue to search for another new outfield player this summer and have been linked with Renato Tapia, who is available to sign as a free agent. The midfielder’s contract with Celta Viga recently expired as he ‘did not feel fully valued’ and now his name is being mentioned across a number of leagues.
News from Transfermarkt, relayed via Bolavip, reports that Tapia is the ‘main target’ for clubs including Union Berlin, Fluminense and Celtic. All clubs reportedly have a ‘positive presence’ in this pursuit but there is yet to be any concrete offer on the table from any interested party.
Tapia, a Peru international, did not play during the 2024 Copa América so he could ‘avoid getting injured’ ahead of move elsewhere this summer.
Outcast Rangers man clause revealed
It was reported earlier this week that Ianis Hagi is ‘keen on staying’ at Rangers despite being demoted to the club’s B team. The 25-year-old is no longer viewed as a part of Philippe Clement’s plans moving forward. However, a new revelation has shed some light on a contract clause that could also be playing a part in Hagi’s omission from the first team.
Sky Sports has reported that the Romanian has a clause in place that would see a wage increase triggered if Hagi starts more matches for Rangers (relayed via Rangers Review). Hagi has not featured for the senior side in almost a year but he contributed a hat-trick for the B team at the weekend against Derby County.
Other reports claim that while the Romanian does not have any concrete offers in for him at the moment, the club are scouting out his next team.
6 nightmare Celtic scenarios that would spark transfer window criticisms as trio of incomings turn a priority
They are closing in on their latest blockbuster deal but that won’t spare the Celtic board more criticisms if more won’t follow.
Brendan Rodgers is nearing a deal for striker Adam Idah in a transfer reported to be worth £9.5m. It’s the type of money Celtic fans have wanted to see spent with only one outfield player signed so far, Paulo Bernardo, after the midfielder’s loan from Benfica last season.
Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo have arrived between the sticks. We looked at six dream transfers earlier this week but what would six factors on the other end of that scale look like? We take a look at the scenarios which would invoke fresh criticism of recruitment at Parkhead.
Matt O’Riley exit
There’s two ways of looking at this. The positive slant is that they’d again be making a major buck on someone they signed for very little. Another way, the more cynical way, would be that Celtic have cash aplenty in the bank and don’t have to sell. Fans would rather see O’Riley stay than have added cash in the bank, as trying to fill his hole in the team would be an uphill task.
Reo Hatate exit
This one is non-negotiable. Fans would likely stomach O’Riley’s exit – which looks more inevitable with every passing day – if the fee was big enough. Losing him and Hatate would take a massive wedge of quality out the midfield room. Rumours of Leicester in the air but Celtic can’t sell two of their assets in the centre of the park this summer.
No left-back
Greg Taylor is the only senior option and options are beginning to become thin. Hugo Bueno was rumoured but he’s now moved on from Wolves on loan, and a valuation from Liverpool has reportedly put up a stumbling block in landing Owen Beck. Cover is needed and ending August without cover wouldn’t be ideal.
Another forward goes abegging
Idah will be the main man to back Kyogo up but Rodgers wants to work with three strikers, albeit he’s happy for one of them to be in a younger mould. That will be needed when the Champions League games come thick and fast, so not only do they need another player, they need quality too. Not easy to find but Rodgers has discussed three being the magic number before.
Central defence improvement
Liam Scales has emerged as a solid option on the left-side of defence, but fans have had their criticisms of the Irish international. There’s also been a lack of sustained competition to move him or Cameron Carter-Vickers out the team, so another defender appears a must to provide the high level of starting XI competition required.
Moving players on
Celtic have made good inroads with this during the summer. Bosun Lawal has banked them seven figures, with Oh, Benjamin Siegrist and Sead Haksabanovic also moved on. But with stars like Yuki Kobayashi, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Kwon unlikely to play much, there’s still some players to shift the wage bill. Fans will wonder why these players are still about if they remain there come September.
