Rangers ‘push’ for two signings, Celtic hold talks, EPL club recall defender - Scottish transfer news

Dundee United star discusses future

Dundee United's Krisztian Keresztes admits he isn’t sure where his future lies once his loan deal at Tannadice expires in the summer. The Hungarian centre-back moved to the club in the summer on a season-long loan deal from Nyíregyháza Spartacus, and has featured prominently for Jim Goodwin’s side, starting 20 games in the Scottish Premiership this season.

While Dundee United do have an option to buy, the 26-year-old has claimed there are “question marks” over where he’ll play his football next season during an interview with Nemzeti Sport: “My goal is to stay in Britain,” said Keresztes. ““I like this football culture and the atmosphere that surrounds football; the way footballers are appreciated.

“What does this mean? Whether a continuation in Scotland or a change in England – that remains to be seen. But I only want to deal with this if a concrete offer is made. It’s good that Dundee United want to keep me; that’s good feedback for me. And my personality is that I am always striving for better and better. We will see what the future brings. There are a lot of question marks for now.”

EPL club recalls defender

Aberdeen centre-back Alfie Dorrington has been called by his parent club, Tottenham Hotspur, after falling out of favour at Pittodrie in recent months. The 20-year-old re-joined the Dons in the summer after an impressive spell on loan in the second half of the 2024/25 season, and was used regularly in former head coach Jimmy Thelin’s squad at the beginning of the current campaign. However, the English defender has now joined the Swedish boss in departing Pittodrie, having failed to feature in recent months.

Dorrington had not made a single league appearance since the 2-1 home defeat to Hibs back in late October, and the club has now confirmed his departure via a short statement on the club’s official website, which reads: “We can confirm Tottenham Hotspur have today formally activated their recall option on defender Alfie Dorrington. Everyone at AFC wishes Alfie the very best with his future career.”

Rangers ‘push’ for two

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl wants to add players to his squad ‘imminently’, as new recruitment chief Stig Inge Bjornabye looks to help the German build a team capable of winning the Scottish Premiership title this season. The 36-year-old manager has been linked to Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt, ex-Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah, and former Hearts left-back James Penrice in recent days. Midfielders Joe Rothwell and Lyall Cameron have been linked with January exits, with Rohl admitting he “can't say who will be in the squad by the end of the window.”

“It would be helpful to have players in for the cup game [vs Annan Athletic next Friday] because we can maybe use them there,” Rohl said after going second in the table after the 2-0 win over Aberdeen on Tuesday. “We also have to make good decisions on what is best for some players here. It makes no sense to keep them if they’re not getting minutes. Players on the bench want to be on the train. They’re trying but they have to be on the front foot or the train leaves the station without some players. It’s a tough challenge. We need a strong squad and when we make subs we have to be better.”

According to reports, Rohl has already seen a bid rejected by AEK Athens for Penrice last week, but wants to ‘push’ on with reinforcements at left-back. Westerlo left-back Tuur Rommens is also believed to remain a key target for Rangers, though the club is yet to make a formal offer for the Belgian.

Celtic hold talks

Celtic head coach Martin O’Neill is closing in on a deal for lightning-quick Red Bull Bragantino winger Ignacio Laquintana, with reports claiming the club has now officially entered talks over a move for the player. Upon his return to the club earlier this week, the 73-year-old manager said that the Scottish champions must ‘go all out' to strengthen the squad this month, after a horror first half of the season saw them fall six points behind league leaders Hearts.

The two-cap Uruguayan international has played his entire career in South America, having represented the likes of Santos in Brazil and Penarol in Uruguay. He would become the club’s second arrival of the window following the signing of AFC Bournemouth right-back Julian Araujo on loan last week. The club is also working on a deal for Hapoel Petah Tikva winger Jocelin Ta Bi, with reports claiming £3million deal is close to agreement.

As reported on Tuesday, the player is believed to be keen on moving to Parkhead this month, with a loan-to-buy deal the most likely option in the January transfer window.

Sign up to The Scotsman’s daily football newsletter to get unrivalled Scottish football news and analysis - subscribe for free here.