Future Celtic move touted, Rangers eye World Cup star, Aberdeen strike up deal - Scottish transfer news

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

Four cap Scotland international seals shock move

Former Rangers and Aberdeen defender David Bates has completed a surprise move to newly promoted Turkish outfit Amedspor after leaving Belgian giants Standard Liege. Capped four times by the Scotland national team, the 29-year-old centre back has spent the last three seasons at the Maurice Dufrasne Stadium, and has played in no less than four different countries during his career, turning out for Hamburg in Germany, Cercle Brugge, Mechelen and Standard Liege in Belgium, and Sheffield Wednesday in England, alongside spells in the Scottish football league.

“Our club has signed a two-plus-one-year contract with centre back David Bates in order to strengthen the defensive line in line with the squad planning for the 2026–2027 season. We welcome David Bates to our club and wish him a season full of successes under the Amedspor jersey”, stated the club via their official social media channels.

Ross County boss returns

Ross County have confirmed the return of former head coach Don Cowie just 10 months on from his departure, appointing him as the Head of Professional Programme. The Staggies, who have suffered back-to-back relegations in the last two seasons, say the appointment will “marks a significant enhancement of the investment in our player pathway and development strategy.”

On the appointment of Cowie, football development director, Campbell Money, said: “Don Cowie is the exemplar role model for all young professionals in the game. Don has had a fantastic playing career, which stemmed from his time right here in Dingwall – that didn’t come from just his talent alone, he worked incredibly hard on fitness, attitude, and the off-pitch elements which matter so much in the game.

“I can’t think of anyone better to come in and work closely with our youngsters. Don will guide them and help them explore every area as to how they develop their game to ultimately become ready to play for our first team.”

Fernandez targeted by French giants

Rangers centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez has emerged as a target for Rennes this summer, with the Ligue 1 outfit said to be weighing up a move for the player. Bought for just £2.5million from Peterborough United last summer, the Nigerian international was a rare net-positive at Ibrox last season, resulting in him being linked to both Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen during the January transfer window, following an impressive run of form.

While Rangers faltered in the split and ended the season in third place, Fernandez’s stock remained intact, and now Rennes are mulling over an offer for him as they look to add to their squad following qualification to the Europa League. A report from Ouest-France claims that the Roazhon Park side have three defensive targets in mind, which include Toulouse’s Charlie Cresswell, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Yerson Mosquera and Fernandez.

Aberdeen strike up deal

Aberdeen head coach Stephen Robinson looks set to continue his squad rebuild at Pittodrie this summer after agreeing a deal for Moroccan international Ayoub Mouloua. The 23-year-old hitman has scored seven goals in 18 games for FUS Rabat in the Moroccan top flight this season, and is understood to have commanded a six-figure fee.

Having already made an astonishing seven new signings at Aberdeen this summer, Robinson is hoping to add the young striker to his squad, and he is expected to sign a three-year contract pending a work permit. The second player in the history of the club to be signed from Moroccan side FUS Rabat, he would follow in the footsteps of Aberdeen fan favourite Hicham Zerouali, who tragically passed away in a car accident just two years ago, leaving the club in 2004.

Should the deal be rubber-stamped, Mouloua will join Lewis Mayo, Brad Lyons, Alexander Briedl, Dan Happe, Toyosi Olusanya, Connor Ronan and Tony Yogane in signing for Aberdeen ahead of the new campaign.

Future Celtic move touted

Scotland captain Andy Robertson may have opted to stay in the English Premier League by signing a pre-contract deal with Tottenham Hotspur this summer, but the former Liverpool man would still “love” to play for Celtic in the future, according to one of his former international teammates.

The 31-year-old signed a one-year contract, with the option of a further year, in North London prior to Scotland’s World Cup campaign this summer, ending speculation that Robertson could return to the Scottish Premiership by penning a deal with his boyhood club, Celtic. However, despite the defender moving further south this summer, his ex-Scotland teammate Robert Snodgrass believes he still has his heart set on a move to Parkhead in the future.

“It has been well-documented that Spurs were interested,” said Snodgrass. “They are trying to sign a lot of top players. I believe he was sold on the project at Spurs. Andy will be happy with his decision; it was a move that had been brewing for a while. He had other options, and he chose Spurs, so I think it is the right thing for him. You don't know what is around the corner in the future, though, but I am sure he would love that opportunity [with Celtic] eventually.”

Elsewhere at Parkhead, the option to extend striker Kelechi Iheanacho’s contract at Celtic by a further year has expired, with the Nigerian frontman’s future at the club now uncertain as he trains on his own back in his homeland.

Rangers target World Cup star

Rangers have Croatia goalkeeper Ivor Pandur on their radar this summer - and could be prepared to offer Jack Butland in a shock swap deal, according to reports. The 26-year-old stopper won promotion to the English Premier League with Hull City last season, and is currently away at the World Cup with his national team, but is said to be on head coach Derek McInnes’ wanted list ahead of a summer rebuild at Ibrox.

Purchased from Fortuna Sittard in the summer of 2024, Pandur was a virtual ever-present for the Tigers last season as they won promotion via the EFL Championship playoffs with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at Wembley, but are understood to be open to allowing the goalkeeper to leave if they receive a fee in the region of £10million. With Hull linked to goalkeeper trio Besiktas’ Ersin Destanoğlu, Manchester United’s Radek Vitek and Braga’s Lukas Hornicek, it is reported that Rangers may look to launch a move for the Croatian, and will use current number one Butland as a bargaining chip.

Meanwhile, Rangers are bracing themselves for major transfer interest in Nico Raskin this summer, with Real Betis said to have joined Bologna in considering a move for the Belgian international midfielder.