Celtic bid rejected, Rangers target names preferred move, St Mirren battle - Scottish transfer news

In your Monday morning transfer bulletin, we’ll be bringing you all the latest news from around the country, with reports from Rangers, Celtic, Dundee, and beyond.

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Ex-Rangers man to land managerial role

Former Rangers and Scotland striker Kenny Miller is set to named the permanent manager of Maccabi Tel Aviv after leading the club to victory in the Israeli State Cup last month. The 46-year-old has been interim charge at the Bloomfield Stadium in recent months after ex-Celtic manager Ronny Deila’s departed the club amid an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment made by a female taxi driver.

Miller, whose only other permanent managerial role came in 2018 with Livingston, had been working as Deila’s assistant in recent months but now looks poised to be appointed as Maccabi Tel Aviv’s new permanent boss after his 2-1 cup final win over Hapoel Be'er Sheva a month ago. Reports claim that the club are ready to hand his the reins ahead of the new season beginning in August after he made it clear he wanted the position in recent weeks.

“I have made no secret that if the club offered me something here, I would love to stay on” said Miller recently. “I have really enjoyed my time here and the challenge of taking over as coach. But I fully accept, it’s up to the club. They might have their own plans for the future. I could not have asked any more of the players since I took over.”

St Mirren facing battle

St Mirren are facing a major battle to convince club captain Mark O’Hara to remain at the club this summer, as interest builds from several clubs in his services. The 30-year-old is out of contract in Paisley, but has been offered a new deal by the club as they look to extend his stay at the SMiSA Stadium.

According to a report from Kyle Gunn, the versatile skipper is a major target for Scottish Premiership rivals Kilmarnock, who are looking to bring him to Rugby Park on a Bosman free transfer, while O’Hara also has several options from clubs in Asia and Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, the club have announced that left-back Declan John will remain with St Mirren until the summer of 2028, after the former Rangers man agreed an extension to his contract.

Rangers target names preferred move

EFL Championship side Portsmouth are pushing to sign highly rated Dundee defender Luke Graham this month, as they look to fight off competition from several suitors. The 22-year-old is expected to leave Dens Park this summer after his impressive breakout season for the club, with Rangers holding a a serious interest in the Scotland Under-21 international.

However, reports claim the Fratton Park outfit is the team working hardest to sign the youngster, having been rebuffed in their quest to lure him south back in January. The second-tier side saw a £1million bid rejected during the winter transfer window, with Dundee head coach Steven Pressley insisting they would only sell the player for a fee which they believed matched his valuation.

After returning to the table for fresh talks this summer though, the Blues are now said to be leading the chase for Graham, and are ready to make another move for the talented defender. According to the Portsmouth News, Graham has made it clear that his preferred destination is that of the EFL Championship as opposed to moving to another club in the Scottish Premiership in a blow to Rangers’ hopes of landing the player.

Celtic bid rejected

Celtic have been told they must stump up more cash if they want to win the race to sign highly rated young Sandefjord centre-back Zinedin Smajlovic this summer. Martin O’Neill’s men are looking to bolster their defensive options ahead of the new campaign, and are understood to have identified the Swedish youth international as a player they’d like to bring to Parkhead next season, though their first official bid of £3.4million has been rejected by the Norwegian outfit.

Named in the Norwegian top flight’s team of the season, Smajlovic has been labelled as one of the “most interesting defensive profiles in Scandinavia”. A modern-day centre-half that blends physicality with progressive passing, he has attracted attention from several European sides, with Celtic’s interest first emerging via a report from Italian transfer journalist Rudy Galetti back in April.

According to reports in Greece, both the Scottish champions and Olympiacos are vying for the 22-year-old's signature this month, but have been rebuffed in their efforts to lure him away from Sandefjord so far, who are demanding a fee closer to £4.3million. Toulouse and Bodo/Glimt have also been credited with an interest in the player.