Scottish transfers: Celtic deal, Rangers star says goodbye, captain's new contract, Hearts want 22y/o

A slew of Scottish clubs are expected to be active during the next couple of months, with preparations already well under way for the 2026/27 campaign.

Here are some of the best stories involving Scottish clubs:

Hearts eye up new defender

Hearts have been linked with York City centre-half Malachi Fagan-Walcott. The 22-year-old has impressed in the National League this season and reportedly on the radar of Tynecastle officials.

Fagan-Walcott has spent loan spells at Dundee and Dunfermline and would bolster Hearts’ defensive options, with Craig Halkett sidelined by a long-term Achilles injury and Frankie Kent’s contract expiring at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, another out-of-contract Hearts player is courting interest, with the Edinburgh Evening News reporting that three MLS side are keen to sign midfielder Cammy Devlin.

Yang pens new Celtic deal

Manager Martin O’Neill is glad Yang Hyun-jun’s proposed move to Birmingham fell through last summer after the resurgent South Korean winger extended his contract with Celtic until 2030.

The 23-year-old ooked to be heading for the exit door after struggling to establish himself in his first two seasons in Scotland. Yang’s £3million transfer to Birmingham collapsed on transfer deadline-day last September due to administrative delays, and he returned to Celtic to become a key player as O’Neill guided the Hoops to William Hill Premiership glory.

“I’m absolutely delighted, because on transfer deadline day he was down at Birmingham City, so I’m pleased that didn’t go through,” O’Neill said. “Obviously, I didn’t know him at that time, but there was something about him in training that you felt ‘he’s got a bit of something’. He can go past players, he can deal with the ball, all those particular things.”

Rangers loanee says goodbye

Jayden Meghoma says it was a “privilege” to play for Rangers after the Brentford defender’s loan spell at Ibrox came to an end.

Left-back Meghoma, 19, returns to the English Premier League outfit after making 44 appearances for Rangers. He is not expected to return on a permanent deal.

Taking to social media, Meghoma wrote: "It’s been a privilege to wear this badge. Thank you to my teammates, staff, and especially the fans for the support this season. @RangersFC is a special club and one I’ll always be thankful to have represented. All the best for what’s ahead."

Killie snap up keeper on new deal

Max Stryjek has signed a one-year contract extension at Kilmarnock. The 29-year-old Polish goalkeeper’s new deal takes him to the summer of 2027.

Stryjek joined the Ayrshire club from Jagiellonia Bialystok last July and has made 16 appearances. He underwent open-heart surgery last November, after a problem had been flagged up during routine tests, and did not return to the first-team picture until the end of January.

The Pole resumed his place between the sticks in the 1-0 defeat by Aberdeen last month, subsequently helping Killie get away from relegation danger. Stryjek insisted he was always confident of resuming his career, saying: “I never had a doubt. I just dealt with it. Day by day, step by step.”

Saints captain is staying put

Captain Jason Holt has agreed a new contract to remain with newly-promoted St Johnstone for their return to the Premiership next term. The 33-year-old former Hearts and Rangers midfielder, who joined the Perth club two years ago, has signed a new deal until next summer.

Holt told Saints’ website: “I’m really, really pleased to extend my stay. Last season was very positive on and off the pitch. You form a really strong connection with the fans and people about the stadium. To be part of that again next season is very pleasing for me.

“We’re all aware how difficult next season will be. But of course we want to go up to the top league, be competitive and give it a real good go.”

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