Celtic eye one-cap ace, Rangers given encouragement, Scotland hopeful in France link - Scottish transfer news

In your Monday morning transfer bulletin, we’ve got the latest news from Celtic, Rangers, Kilmarnock, the Scotland national team and beyond as we keep you up to date with all the latest transfer headlines from across the country.

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Kilmarnock confirm exit

Kilmarnock have confirmed that defender Dominic Thompson has signed for Belgian Pro League side SK Beveren after just one season at the club. The left-back was a regular at Rugby Park last season, having signed from Motherwell in the summer, making 40 appearances and registering five assists as they successfully battled against relegation from the top flight.

However, with just days to go until the new season gets underway away to newly promoted St Johnstone, the club have confirmed the defender’s departure for an undisclosed fee. A short statement on Kilmarnock’s official website said: “Kilmarnock Football Club can confirm the departure of Dominic Thompson, subject to international clearance.. Everyone at Kilmarnock FC wishes Dom the best of luck in his future endeavours.”

Former Aberdeen hitman in shock move

Former Aberdeen striker Ester Sokler has completed a shock move to Maccabi Tel Aviv, becoming one of head coach Kenny Miller’s first signings at the Israeli Premier League side. The 27-year-old marksman spent two seasons at Pittodrie before signing for FK Radnicki last summer, where he has been prolific, scoring 15 goals in the Serbian top flight last season.

However, his time at the Cair Stadium has come to an end after just 10 months with the club, as Sokler put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he will wear the number nine shirt. “I’m proud to join Maccabi,” said the former Dons man. “A club with a rich history and big ambitions. I know the expectations that come with wearing this shirt, and that’s exactly what attracted me to this challenge. I’ll give everything I have to help the team achieve its goals, score goals, win trophies and make our fans proud.”

French giants tracking Scotland hopeful

Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg are understood to be ‘actively pursuing’ Scotland Under-21 international striker Robbie Ure this summer following his electric start to the season for IK Sirius in the Swedish top flight. The 22-year-old has piqued the interest of several top clubs on the continent after scoring 15 goals in just 14 games to help his side go 11 points clear at the top of the Allsvenskan.

The first Scottish player to score four goals in a single Swedish top-flight match during last month’s pulsating 4-4 draw against defending champions Mjallby, the ex-Rangers academy product has been tipped to become Scotland’s future number nine as he continues to blossom in Scandinavia. Speaking about his future in June, he said: “I feel like I'm in a really good position and I just need to keep going. That was the plan when I first came to Sweden, to develop as a player and go on to bigger things.”

However, according to L'Équipe journalist Cyril Olives-Berthet, the striker is viewed as a high-potential attacking target for Les Bleus et Blanc this summer, and they are eyeing a potential move before the window closes in September.

Rangers given encouragement

Rangers have been given unexpected encouragement in their quest to bring Mikey Moore back to the club on loan after Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi dropped a major hint over the player’s immediate future. The teenage playmaker spent last season on loan at Ibrox, and firmly established himself as a fan favourite at Ibrox after establishing himself as a key player under former head coach Danny Rohl, bagging six goals and assisting a further three.

Many Rangers supporters had hoped the club could extend his stay for another year, though it appeared to be more likely that he would stay and fight for his place in North London as the summer window progressed. However, comments from Spurs boss De Zerbi now indicate the 18-year-old could yet depart the club on loan.

Asked if he could be part of his Spurs squad for the upcoming season, the Italian said: "We have to see. We have to analyse the last part of the transfer market, because we try to bring wingers, and then we speak with him, with his agent, with the club, to find the best solution for everyone."

Celtic interest in one-cap winger

Celtic are ready to launch a move for Italian international Matteo Cancellieri this month, according to reports. It has been a toiling summer for manager Martin O’Neill, with only one new signing added to the squad in the shape of Camilo Duran. However, the 74-year-old boss has had a major breakthrough over the weekend, with Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh undergoing a medical ahead of a record £11million move - and now he has his eye on Lazio attacker Cancellieri.

The 24-year-old currently plays for Italian giants Lazio, where he scored four goals and assisted two more in 30 appearances, and has previously spent time on loan to Parma and Empoli after beginning his career with Hellas Verona as a teenager. He’s also been capped once by Italy at senior level having been a regular in the nation team’s youth squad. Linked with West Ham United earlier in the campaign, Cancellieri is about to enter the final year of his contract at the Stadio Olimpico.

Elsewhere, the Scottish champions continue to be linked to Egypt international Haissem Hassan, who plays in the Spanish second divison with Real Oviedo. Reports over the weekend has claimed that the winger has agreed terms with Celtic, however, an update from Sky Sports claims that a deal is not fully complete despite strong interest from the Hoops.