Celtic interested in duo, Rangers face competition, Hearts confirm deal - Scottish transfer news

These are the latest reports from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, and Dundee.

Dundee loan out frontman

Dundee have allowed struggling striker Emile Acquah to head out on loan after the 25-year-old failed to make an impression following his summer arrival from Barrow. The English forward had scored 16 goals for his former side in EFL League Two before his arrival at Dens Park, but hasn’t scored a single goal in the Scottish Premiership and has now returned to the English fourth tier by making a move to Harrogate Town on a temporary transfer until the end of the season.

Following the confirmation of his departure, head coach Steven Pressley said, “On Emile, I take full responsibility; he’s not had enough game time. People have been quick to make judgments of him, and I think it’s wrong, because I think he’s a player who needs games and time to prove himself. There’s a really good talent there. But I’ve not given him that game time that he’s needed.

“You’ve seen the progress in Ash Hay when he’s given the opportunity in a run in the team. So it would have been terrific for Emile to score [against Hearts]. It was a really good header. As I’ve said, I think there’s a really good player there.”

Hearts confirm deal

Hearts have confirmed the pre-contract signing of FK Vardar winger Rogers Mato. The 22-year-old, who starred and scored in the African Cup of Nations for Uganda against Nigeria last month, has agreed a three-year deal and will arrive in the summer on a Bosman free transfer.

Mato had attracted interest from several clubs in Europe after scoring 12 goals in the North Macedonian top flight in the first half of the season, though it is Derek McInnes’ side who have won the race for his signature. Last week, it appeared the league leaders had been dealt a blow in their quest to sign the 22-year-old after his club side were reported to have told the Tynecastle side that they had no intention of selling the youngster, with a bid of around £300,000 rejected.

However, the club have now moved to agree a pre-contract deal with the player and he will instead join ahead of next season. “Thanks to his goal-scoring exploits this season, Rogers has become one of Europe’s hottest properties and recently competed at the Africa Cup of Nations,” said Hearts via their official club website. “He’s taken his talents to the international stage too. First capped in 2022, he’s already amassed 41 appearances for the Cranes and has scored eight goals. Come the summer, Rogers will swap the Balkans for Edinburgh and become part of Derek McInnes’ boys in maroon."

Celtic interested in duo

Celtic are ready to step up their interest in Union Berlin striker Andrej Ilic, with reports claiming the club is ‘prioritising an ambitious move’ for the Serbian international. Head coach Martin O’Neill admitted on Tuesday that the club is “genuinely working really hard” to add players to the squad in the January window, with a striker on the agenda.

The Scottish champions have so far only added AFC Bournemouth right-back Julian Araujo on loan, and have been heavily linked with interest in Lorient striker Mohamed Bamba in recent days. However, Celtic are now said to be stepping up their effort to make two exciting additions, with Ilic their key striking target. The 25-year-old, who only joined Union on a permanent deal from Lille last summer, has bagged 72 goals in 192 career appearances, and is understood to be available for a fee of around £9million.

Alongside Ilic, reports say the club has also explored a deal for Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, after the German fell to third choice at the Etihad following the summer arrivals of Gianluigi Donnarumma and James Trafford. His current deal expires at the end of the campaign, and Celtic are said to be considering a loan bid for the 33-year-old stopper.

Rangers face competition

Rangers are set to face competition from Bundesliga outfit FC Koln in their bid to land Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil this month. According to a report from journalist Patrick Berger, the former Black Cats captain is wanted by Die Geißböcke, with his contract due to expire in the summer.

The 24-year-old was linked to Rangers in a double deal with Stadium of Light teammate Romaine Mundle last week, with the Glasgow giants said to have approached Sunderland over the pair, who are keen to play more regular first-team football in the second half of the campaign.

Head coach Danny Rohl has already strengthened his central midfielder option with the £4million signing of Tochi Chukwuani from Sturm Graz earlier this month, and would like to make further additions after losing key midfielder Connor Barron to injury. However, the German faces a battle to prize Neil away from Wearside, with initial talks having already taken place over a move to the RheinEnergieSTADION.

Meanwhile, the club has confirmed that Oscar Cortes has returned from his loan spell at Sporting Gijon and has instead moved to Huracán on a similar deal until the end of the season. The Argentinian side also has an option to buy inserted into the deal.

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