Ex-Rangers duo in return link, Celtic 'miss out' on key target, Aberdeen add another - Scottish transfer news

In your Thursday morning edition of our transfer bulletin, we’ve got the latest transfer reports from Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen and beyond.

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Livingston ‘agree terms’ with defender

Livingston head coach Glenn Whelan looks to have sealed his first signing at Almondvale after they agreed terms with former Macedonian Under-21 international Besir Iseni. According to an exclusive report from Filip Mishov in r.org, the Championship club have won the race for the 26-year-old’s signature he agreed a pre-contract deal upon the expiry of his contract with KF Dukagjini, though the move is subject to international clearance and a work permit.

Livi have been in the market for defensive reinforcements after the departure of Danny Wilson and Daniel Finlayson, and have reportedly beaten off competition from other Scottish Premiership clubs, alongside as MTK Budapest, NK Osijek and NK Istra 1961 for the Iseni. He will pen a two-year deal at the Set Fare Arena, and becomes new manager Whelan’s first signing of his tenure.

Aberdeen continue rebuild

Aberdeen head coach Stephen Robinson is set to continue his summer overhaul of his Dons squad after agreeing a deal with former St Mirren loanee Connor Ronan. The 28-year-old midfielder played under Robinson during his previous stint in the Scottish Premiership, playing for a season on loan in Paisley during the 2021/22 campaign after beginning his professional career with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Ronan, who has represented Republic of Ireland at various youth levels, has spent the last two-and-a-half seasons in the MLS with Colorado Rapids, featuring regularly at DSG Park, but has now penned a two year deal at Pittodrie to become the club’s sixth signing of the summer transfer window.

"I've worked with Stephen before,” said Ronan upon his arrival. “I know exactly what he'll expect from me. That was a really important factor. Aberdeen is a huge football club with big ambitions and that's difficult to turn down. I want to be part of helping the club compete at the top end of the table, return to Europe and challenge for trophies. From a personal point of view, I want to contribute goals, assists and strong performances, but above all else I want to help the team be successful. That's what matters most."

Celtic miss out on major target

Celtic look to have missed out on summer goalkeeping target Jari De Busser after reports claimed he had made the decision to remain in the Netherlands due to ‘family reasons’. The 26-year-old was earmarked as the Scottish champions’ top target to replace the retired Kasper Schmeichel, with the club ready to pay the £2.5million asking fee for the Go Ahead Eagles stopper.

While Finland international Viljami Sinisalo impressed after being given an extended run in the side following Schmeichel’s shoulder injury, it is understood that Celtic will look to add another goalkeeper to their squad, with De Busser reported to have been their number one target.

However, despite strong interest from Martin O’Neill’s side, the Belgian goalkeeper is believed to have shown a desire to remain in the Eredivisie and is close to agreeing a move to AZ Alkmaar instead. It is believed the two clubs have also reached an agreement on the fee, with De Busser set to snub interest from several clubs to move to the AFAS Stadium.

Ex-Rangers duo linked with return

Former Rangers midfielder Josh Windass is ‘considering’ a return to Ibrox this summer, as doubts continue to surround his future at his current club, Wrexham. The 32-year-old playmaker enjoyed an excellent debut campaign at the Racecourse Ground, scoring 17 goals as the Red Dragons narrowly missed out on an EFL Championship playoff spot, but could depart this summer.

Windass previously spent two seasons in Glasgow between 2016 and 2018, and has been linked with a return to Rangers at various points over the last 12 months. TalkSport co-host Simon Jordan has revealed that those rumours did indeed have substance, saying: “I was talking to Josh Windass on the plane [over to America]. There was a perception that he might have been potentially considering an opportunity to go to Rangers. But I am not going to talk on behalf of Josh, because Josh has a contract at Wrexham.”

Elsewhere, reports in Turkiye claim that Rangers are considering a move for former loanee Vaclav Cerny. The Czech winger enjoyed a fruitful campaign on loan at Ibrox, scoring 18 goals after joining from Wolfsburg. However, the club were unable to agree a permanent deal, and he instead joined Besiktas last summer. However, his current club are now required to fall in line with the new Super Lig rule, which caps the number of overseas players in squads, meaning Cerny could become available, and reports claim Rangers may still hold interest.