Celtic edge towards deal, Rangers set to miss out, Braga addresses Hearts future - Scottish transfer news

In your Thursday afternoon transfer bulletin, we’ll be bringing you all the latest news from around the country, with reports from Rangers, Celtic, Hearts the Scotland national team, and beyond.

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Scotland international set for Saudi stay

Scotland international Jack Hendry is set to extend his stay with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq after a change in the club’s circumstances allowed them to offer him an improved deal. The 31-year-old centre back suffered Group C heartache at the World Cup earlier this week, with Scotland’s humbling 3-0 defeat by five-time champions Brazil leaving their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage hanging by a thread.

While his international hopes face a waiting game to see if Scotland end the group stage as one of the best third-placed sides at the World Cup, it appears his future at club level has now been resolved. Out of contract this summer, Hendry is one of the nation’s most travelled footballers, having represented clubs in Italy, Belgium and Australia during his career.

He appeared to have settled in Saudi Arabia after moving there in the summer of 2023, though his future at the EGO Stadium was thrown into serious doubt earlier this year when it was reported that Al-Ettifaq no longer had the budget available to be able to offer him a new deal. However, the centre-back now looks set to renew at Al-Ettifaq after it was claimed the club were handed a cash injection on their summer budget. He will sign a new two-year deal with the club.

Braga addresses Hearts future

Hearts star man Claudio Braga says he is paying no attention to reports linking him with a move away from Tynecastle this summer, and praised the club's supporters for making him feel at home from the moment he arrived. The Portuguese striker was named the Scottish Premiership player of the year in his debut season with the Jambos, where his 17 goals took them to within a whisker of winning their first league title since 1960.

Perhaps naturally, the 26-year-old’s form has seen him linked with various sides during the summer transfer window, namely Brighton, Rangers and Lyon , but Braga admits he has no plans to go anywhere, and is focusing on the club’s Champions League qualifiers in the months to come.

“I have two years left on my contract and I really like where I am,” Braga told A Bola. “Anything regarding interest is handled by my agents. I stay out of it. I’m about to fulfil one of my biggest dreams. Just knowing it’s possible to play in the Champions League is incredible, even if it’s only a qualifier. We’re facing a very strong team in Sturm Graz, but at Tynecastle we’re very strong as well. We proved that last season.

“The stadiums are always full. The atmosphere is unbelievable. I’ve never experienced anything like it. Everyone is involved throughout the match. It’s not just one section of the crowd – it’s the entire stadium. I’ve been very lucky because Hearts have one of the biggest fanbases. Tynecastle’s atmosphere is completely extraordinary.”

Rangers set to miss out

Rangers look set to miss out on a deal for former Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil after he entered advanced talks with EFL Championship outfit Southampton. The 24-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Rangers during the winter transfer window, but instead signed a loan deal with Ipswich Town until the end of the season, where he helped the Portman Road side win promotion back to the English Premier League.

His second successive promotion, as captain, Neil was a major figure in Sunderland’s victorious 2024/25 playoff campaign back to the EPL after an eight-year absence, beating Sheffield United 2-1 in the playoff final at Wembley, but struggled to get regular game time following the arrival of Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra.

While many expected him to complete a permanent move to Ipswich, that option was taken off the table when head coach Kieran McKenna announced his shock resignation from the club and was replaced by Gary O’Neil this week. Out of contract after his deal with Sunderland expired earlier this month, Neil had serious interest from various clubs, including sides on the continent, but now looks set to complete a free transfer move to St Mary’s.

Celtic edge towards deal

Celtic are confident of sealing a deal to bring back popular left-back Marcelo Saracchi to the club this summer following his successful stint on loan last season. The Uruguayan defender joined on a season-long loan deal from Boca Juniors last August, and had a major impact off the bench in the final day victory over Hearts that sealed a fifth successive Scottish Premiership title.

Reports claim that the two clubs are expected to enter talks this week after the offer of a second loan deal was rejected by Boca Juniors, with both clubs hoping to reach an agreement over the transfer of the 28-year-old, with Celtic said to be feeling confident about getting a deal over the line.

After scoring against Livingston in February, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill indicated that the club would look to sign the on-loan defender on a permanent deal in the summer after a series of impressive displays. “I think they should [sign him],” said O’Neill. “If you're asking me, I think Tierney's playing brilliantly for us at this moment. But Saracchi scored the goal for us. He's a strange wee character. I’ve called him ‘Manuel’ from Fawlty Towers because he hasn’t a clue what I’m saying to him. I mean, I could be saying anything to him, and he would still say yes to it. But, I think the club should be looking at something like that.”