Celtic target 11-goal forward, Rangers want 40-cap star, Motherwell blow - Scottish transfer news

Motherwell blow

Motherwell has been landed a significant blow after several reports claimed key centre-back Stephen Welsh has been unexpectedly recalled by his parent club Celtic. The 25-year-old has been a regular starter for Jens Berthel Askou’s side and has played a pivotal role for the Fir Park side, who sit in an impressive fourth place after a strong first half of the Scottish Premiership season.

Previously, it had been claimed that Welsh would not be brought back from his loan at the club, with the defender taking part in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Hibs at Easter Road. However, it has now emerged that head coach Martin O’Neill has had a change of heart over his return, with reports claiming it could be due to an injury to Auston Trusty, who was seen limping at the end of the 4-0 win over Dundee United at the weekend.

Ex-Aberdeen boss lands new job

Former Aberdeen head coach Barry Robson has landed a new managerial role just eight weeks after being sacked by Raith Rovers. The 47-year-old has been named the manager of League of Ireland First Division side Cork City on a two-year contract, replacing former boss Ger Nash, who surprisingly stepped down from the role last month.

Robson, who will take charge of the recently relegated side with immediate effect, said: "I'm delighted to become manager of Cork City FC. From speaking to the club, it’s clear that this is a great opportunity. We all want Cork City to achieve its full potential and our first target is a successful league campaign, which is our clear aim for the season ahead. There is a talented group of players already at the club, and I look forward to getting to work with them, starting straight away. I’ve played at Turner’s Cross before and I know all about the passionate supporter base that Cork City has, so I can’t wait to lead the side out there, and to experience the atmosphere on a Friday night."

St Johnstone hopeful on duo

St Johnstone are hopeful of holding onto Adama Sidibeh this month following interest from EFL League One sides Northampton Town and Stevenage. The Gambian international has been a key figure in Simo Valakari’s table-topping side this season, bagging six goals and assisting a further four in 19 league appearances. However, his contract runs out at McDiarmid Park in the summer, which has alerted clubs to his potential availability.

The Perthshire side is also set to lose Josh McPake this summer, with a pre-contract deal with Hearts believed to be on the cards for the 24-year-old. However, owner Adam Webb is confident the duo will continue to produce the goods for the Scottish Championship side and will remain unaffected by talk surrounding their future.

“What we’ve seen from Josh since the Hearts news came out is total dedication,” said Webb. “We know he’s got the message and that he believes in making a great legacy at our club. I think Adama is the same. He’s been here for two years and has been embraced. Unless something dramatic occurs, he’s going to see it out with us.”

Celtic target 11-goal forward

Celtic have taken their search to sign a new striker to Ligue 1 after failing in their attempts to lure former hitman Kyogo Furuhashi back to the club. According to reports, the Scottish champions have made contact with Lorient over a move for Ivorian frontman Mohamed Bamba.

The 24-year-old signed for the Brittany-based side last January after scoring eight goals in 17 games for Austrian outfit Wolfsberg, and was part of the side that won the second-tier title last season under head coach Olivier Pantaloni, bagging 10 goals for the side. However, following their promotion to Ligue 1, he has found the net just once.

It is reported that Celtic opened talks at the weekend over a deal that would see Bamba move to Parkhead on an initial loan deal with an option to buy in the summer, and he was left out of the Lorient squad for their match against Hauts Lyonnais at the weekend, with a January departure seemingly on the cards.

Rangers chase 40-cap star

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl is hoping to add Wolfsburg winger Andreas Skov Olsen to his squad this month after the club opened discussions with the German side over a deal for the Denmark international. According to a report from Florian Plettenberg, the 26-year-old was removed from the squad for the weekend loss at Bayern Munich, and the player is ‘ready for a new chapter’ this month after a tough first year at the Volkswagen Arena.

Capped 40 times by his national team, Skov Olsen has started just four Bundesliga games this season, but was previously a key performer for Champions League outfit Club Brugge, where he had scored 49 goals in all competitions during his three-year stay in Belgium.

The Dane is the latest name to be linked with a move to Ibrox, with the club seemingly looking to make big moves during the January transfer window. The club made their first signing of the transfer window at the weekend, confirming the arrival of Sturm Graz midfielder Tochi Chukwuani for a fee in the region of £4million, and are also believed to be closing in on a deal for Tuur Rommens after the young Belgian reportedly underwent a medical on Sunday. Sunderland duo Dan Neil and Romaine Mundle are also believed to be on Rangers’ shopping list.

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