Celtic join race for midfielder, Rangers deal edges closer, Hibs to finalise move - Scottish transfer news

In your Tuesday morning transfer bulletin, we’ve got the all the latest news from Celtic, Rangers, Hibs, Kilmarnock and beyond.

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Killie bolster defence

Kilmarnock are set to add Hull City defender Cathal McCarthy to their squad on a loan deal until the end of the season. Head coach Neil McCann wants to add the 19-year-old as the club looks to stem the tide of goals scored against them, with the Rugby Park club having conceded 15 times in their last three games this season.

According to a report from the Killie Chronicle, the teenage centre-back, who featured eight times for the Tigers last season as they won promotion to the English Premier League via the playoffs, will pen a deal at Kilmarnock imminently after accepting he’d likely need to move out on loan to get the regular first-team football he desired this term.

A Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, McCarthy began his career with University College Dublin in 2024, where he impressed enough to be chased by the likes of Derby County, Everton, Fulham, Millwall, and Norwich City, who all battled for his signature in January 2025, only to be ousted by Hull, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal at MKM Stadium.

Hibs to finalise move

Hibs are ready to finalise a move for Charleston Battery striker Colton Swan this summer after the teenager caught the eye in the American second tier. The 19-year-old leads the scoring charts for the USL Championship side with 11 goals in all competitions, but is set to swap the Patriots Point Soccer Stadium for Easter Road. According to a report from Tom Bogert, the capital club will pay a six-figure fee, with a sell-on clause included in the deal.

The 6ft 2in hitman is viewed as one of the United States’ most promising young stars, and is vital for his side’s hopes of winning the USL playoffs this season. Formerly with collegiate side the Indiana Hoosiers, the striker penned his first professional contract with the Battery as recently as January, before exploding onto the scene with a host of key goals for his new side.

He is also a regular for the United States youth side, representing them at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Mexico this year, where he helped the team secure qualification for the 2027 U-20 World Cup. As per several reports, Swan will remain until the end of the current season before moving across the pond to Leith.

Rangers deal edges closer

Rangers are expected to complete a loan deal for Serbian international Kosta Nedeljkovic this week after the right-back held discussions with the club over a move. The 20-year-old spent last season on loan to RB Leipzig from English Premier League outfit Aston Villa, where he made 15 appearances, but is set to move out on loan again this season, with Rangers his destination.

The Glasgow giants have struggled at right-back since the departure of long-serving captain James Tavernier in the summer, and view the youngster as an option in the position. The club have also negotiated an initial loan that includes a £4million obligation to buy, according to Jacob Tanswell of The Athletic.

Nedeljkovic signed for the Midlands club in January 2024 in an £8million deal from Red Star Belgrade, but has struggled for regular game time, making just 10 appearances at Villa Park. With Unai Emery considering a deal for West Ham United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, his future at his parent club looked ominous, and Rangers have to secure the player, who will join Dujon Sterling and Ross McCrorie as options in the position, but with more offensive threat.

Celtic ‘join race’ for midfielder

Celtic are ready to rival several clubs on the continent for the signing of midfielder Cheick Souare this summer. The 23-year-old is being chased by numerous clubs this summer, with the Scottish champions said to be high on the list of those ready to make a move for the Viktoria Plzen star.

Martin O’Neill’s men are in the market for additions in their engine room following the £22million sale of Arne Engels to West Ham United last week, and have already been strongly linked with Torino’s Gvidas Gineitis, who is valued at £12million by the Italian club. Meanwhile, Hadjuk Split midfielder Niko Sigur is also understood to have been considered after impressing for Canada at the World Cup this summer.

However, it is believed that Celtic are also eyeing a deal for Souare, who is understood to be available for around £3million. According to a report from journalist Lorenzo Lepore, Genoa and Monza want to bring the midfielder to Serie A this month, while Getafe are also in the race for his signature, having already had a £2.1million bid rejected by his club earlier this summer.

Elsewhere, Japan international Reo Hatate is believed to have rejected an offer to move to Panathinaikos this summer, with the Celtic playmaker understood to be holding out for a move to a top five European league.