Celtic receive £4m bid, major update on Rangers target, Aberdeen sign duo, Hearts & Hibs latest - Scottish football news

Hibs sporting director Malky Mackay has confirmed that winger Elie Youan is the subject of intense transfer interest. The Scotsman reported earlier this week that a Ligue 1 club in France has proposed a £2.5m offer including odd-ons, but Hibs are holding out for more money for a player they paid £700,000 to sign from St Gallen last summer. The 25-year-old was Hibs most productive forward last season, scoring 10 goals and prividing 11 assists. Mackay told the Hibs Observer: "There’s been significant interest in him. You can’t stop people putting bids in, and there’s a point where someone’s value reaches the worth of the football club, and it’s something we have to talk about. We’re not quite there yet, but there seems to be a number of people who are now heavily enquiring on him." Meanwhile, Hibs midfielder Dylan Tait has left the club to join Falkirk on a permanent deal after spending the second half of last season on loan at the League One title winners while academy goalkeeper Murray Johnson has joined Airdrie on a season-long loan.

Hearts agree deal for fifth summer signing

Hearts have reached an agreement to sign Costa Rica international defender Gerald Taylor from Deportivo Saprissa. According to the Edinburgh Evening News, paperwork is being finalised on a dela that will see the 23-year-old sign initially on loan with the option of a permanent transfer for a pre-agreed six-figure sum. Taylor has been capped five times by Costa Rica and has been included alongside Hearts winger Kenneth Vargas in their squad for the Copa America, which kicks off on June 20. Taylor will become Hearts fifth summer signing joining Yan Dhanda from Ross County, Blair Spittal from Motherwell, Livingston defender James Penrice and Hamilton Academical goalkeeper Ryan Fulton in making the move to Tynecastle.

Celtic receive £4m bid

Celtic striker Oh Hyeun-gyu is closing on a transfer to Belgian side Genk. According to reports, the South Korean international is the subject of a £4m bid, including add-ons. The 23-year-old has also hinted on social media that an exit could be imminent after apparently deleting all his Celtic-related images from Instagram. Oh fell out of the first team picture at Celtic in the second half of last season following the arrival of Adam Idah on loan from Norwich. He was signed from Suwong Bluewings for £2.5m in January last year but has managed just six starts for the Parkhead side.

Major update on Rangers target

Rangers-linked midfielder Connor Barron is now officially a free agent after Aberdeen confirmed that they have failed in their bid to convince the player to stay at Pittodrie. "The club made several offers to try and persuade Connor to stay at Aberdeen, but he has decided his future will lie elsewhere," the Dons said in a statement. Barron's contract expired following the end of the season with Rangers said to be competing for his signature along with clubs in Italy and England. A move to Ibrox moved closer this week amid reports that talks progressed to a point where the 21-year-old was prepared to fly home from his holiday in Portugal for a medical. Despite being out of contract, Aberdeen will be due compensation for a player who has been developed through their academy since the age of 8. It will be up to the clubs to agree on a fee, otherwise a tribunal will decide how much Rangers must pay.

Aberdeen sign defender and striker as 12 depart

Jimmy Thelin has made his first two signings as Aberdeen manager with the arrival of Shelbourne FC defender Gavin Molloy and striker Peter Ambrose from Hungarian side Újpest. Molloy, a 22-year-old centre-back, joins on a three-year contract from the League of Ireland Premier Division side for an undisclosed fee. “Gavin has developed a growing reputation in Ireland”, said Dons boss Thelin. “He brings great versatility, a positive attitude and both on and off the pitch conducts himself in the correct manner." Ambrose, who is also 22, has also joined on a three-year contract after finishing last season as Újpest top goalscorer with 10 goals in 27 starts. Thelin added: “Peter has all the personal attributes we look for in a player. Hard work, application and a real intensity to our work are the DNA of success, and together we want to build upon that to reach out goals." Meanwhile, Aberdeen have confirmed the departure of 12 players with Connor Barron, Anthony Stewart, Jonny Hayes, Kelle Roos, Kieran Ngwenya, Finlay Murray, Kai Watson, Aaron Reid, Chris Kondolo and Reuben Smillie all leaving following the exipiry of their contracts, with Stefan Gartenmann and Killian Phillips returning to their parent clubs following loan spells. A contract has been offered to Junuor Hoilett in a bid to keep the 34-year-old at Pittodrie.

Saints sign midfielder from Oxford

St Mirren have announced the signing of Oisin Smyth on a two-year contract. The 24-year-old midfielder joins Saints from Sky Bet League One play-off champions Oxford, where he made 25 appearances. Smyth began his career at Dungannon Swifts before joining the U’s in January 2022 and becomes St Mirren’s fourth signing of the summer. Speaking to the club website, Smyth said: “I’ve been very impressed with the facilities. I just can’t wait to get going now and get playing. Following the club last season and seeing how well they did was a massive factor. There were a few factors that caught my attention so I’m glad to get the deal over the line."