Rangers told asking price, Celtic bid ‘being considered’, SPFL boss signs new deal - Scottish transfer news

SPFL boss signs new deal

St Johnstone head coach Simo Valakari has put pen to paper on a new contract at McDiarmid Park after helping them go five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership following a stunning first half of the season. The Finnish boss has agreed a deal that will see him remain in Perthshire until at least the summer of 2029 in a decision that the 52-year-old called “easy”.

“Since day one I have been honoured to be head coach of this fantastic club,” said Valakari. “In this wonderful city and in a beautiful community that has made me feel so welcome. This new contract does not change our process. We work hard every single day and the maximum effort will continue.” Arriving at St Johnstone in October 2024, the popular manager was unable to prevent relegation from the Scottish Premiership, but looks on course for an immediate return to the top flight.

“Since arriving in Perth, Simo has played a key role in driving standards on and off the pitch, embedding a clear footballing identity and demonstrating a strong commitment to our family club,” said club owner Adam Webb. “This new contract is not just a reward for recent progress, but a statement of trust and shared ambition.”

Celtic urged to target 49-striker

Celtic have been told to make West Ham United striker Callum Wilson a priority signing this month by former player Alan Stubbs, who believes the 33-year-old would become the ‘best in Scotland’ if he were to move across the border. The Hammers' hitman scored 49 goals for Newcastle United before his summer move to the London Stadium, but has struggled to find the target regularly with West Ham dropping into the relegation zone. However, Stubbs believes the club should target the experienced forward if they want to bolster their offensive options.

“I think he's quality, there's no doubt he's quality,” Stubbs told Record Sport. If Celtic were to get Wilson, and he is playing to the levels that he can be, he's the best striker in Scotland. There's no doubt about that. I know he's been on a pay-per-play contract at West Ham, and that's gone. To be honest, a six-month contract at Celtic at the end of the season, for me, is not a gamble. He's somebody who knows he can score goals.”

Livingston sign international forward

Basement club Livingston have added to their attacking options with the loan signing of Estonian international Alex Tamm, as they look to fend off relegation in the second half of the campaign. The 24-year-old arrives from Slovenian outfit Olimpija Ljubljana, where he has scored four goals in nine games.

Currently four points adrift at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, head coach David Martindale has been searching for reinforcements after winning just one of their opening 20 league games this season, and will hope Tamm can provide the offensive spark his side desperately needs. Capped 19 times by his country, the Lions have confirmed he will wear squad number 21.

Celtic bid ‘being considered’

Celtic’s bid for their 85-goal former striker Kyogo Furuhashi is ‘being considered’ by Birmingham City, according to Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett. Signing for the EFL Championship side in the summer, the ex-Parkhead hitman has struggled following his £5million switch from Rennes, failing to score a single league goal in his 23 appearances for the Blues.

The 30-year-old had spent three-and-a-half successful seasons at Parkhead after joining from Vissel Kobe in 2021, winning four Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish League Cups, and two Scottish Cups, and the club hopes to bring him back to Glasgow after making a loan enquiry for him earlier this week.

However, ahead of Birmingham’s FA Cup third round tie against Cambridge United this week, head coach Chris Davies played down speculation regarding the Japanese forward’s future at St. Andrew’s, claiming there’d been no discussion regarding a move for the 30-year-old.

“Kyogo is our player who has been playing more matches recently than he has in the last few months,” said Davies “The plan is that Kyogo continues in that vein – gets his goals and gets his game moving. So I’ll support him to do that. We’ve had no discussions at the moment about anything other than Kyogo giving his best and doing his best for Birmingham City."

Rangers told asking price

Rangers have been warned they must stump up a fee in the region of £8million if they want to seal the signing of talented midfielder Silas Anderson, as per a report in the player’s homeland of Denmark. The 21-year-old emerged as a transfer target at Ibrox earlier in the week, with head coach Danny Rohl determined to add to his midfield options during the window, with a versatile number six thought to be a priority for the German boss.

The Glasgow giants are believed to be closing in on the signing of Sturm Graz’s Tochi Chukwuani, having agreed a £4million fee with the Austrian champions, but have now been told Anderson will cost almost double that if they want to strengthen their midfield further in January. Interest from several other clubs is believed to be the reason his club side, BK Hacken, is seeking to increase the price for the Dane, with FC Copenhagen having had a bid of around £3.6million turned down earlier this season.

Meanwhile, rumoured centre-back target Xavier Mbuyamba has informed interested parties that he is ready to leave Dutch side Volendam this month. Out-of-contract in the summer, the 24-year-old is also attracting interest from Eredivisie rivals FC Twente, and has said that he is seeking a new challenge as soon as possible. "If I don't leave now, I'll be gone next summer,” he told VOS. “I don't care if Volendam makes any money from me. That has nothing to do with me. I'm ready for a step up. And until then, I'll do my absolute best here."

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