Rangers fans may soon witness another new addition to Ibrox, as the club considers reinforcements for the left-back position. With Borna Barisic set to be out of contract in the summer and Ridvan Yilmaz failing to impress since his transfer from Besiktas, Philippe Clement is reportedly eyeing potential left-backs to bolster the squad.
According to the Daily Record, Rangers have their sights set on two left-back prospects. The Ibrox scouts have been deployed to observe both Philadelphia Union full-back Kai Wagner and PSV standout Fredrik Oppegård. Wagner, a 26-year-old German, boasts an impressive record with 138 appearances in the MLS, with five goals to his name. He was even named in the league’s Best XI in 2022. On the other hand, Oppegård, a Norwegian Under-21 international, has made a mark with five first-team appearances for PSV and a loan spell at Dutch top flight side Go Ahead Eagles last season. Notably, he was present as an unused substitute when PSV clashed with Rangers in a Champions League play-off tie back in August 2022.
Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers at Celtic has publicly expressed his intention to enhance the squad’s quality in the January window. Despite leading the Scottish Premiership table, the manager has faced challenges, including back-to-back league defeats for the first time in a decade. Now, it has been revealed by Football Insider that his budget for recruits will likely fall within the range of £6-10 million. This figure is notably impacted by Celtic’s early exit from the Champions League, leading to a reduced budget. The report further indicates Rodgers’ focus on recruiting a striker, a central midfielder, and a left winger in the upcoming window.
In other transfer news, Hearts are bracing for a battle to retain star striker Lawrence Shankland, following his remarkable goal-scoring form. The 28-year-old has attracted interest after netting 12 goals in his last 11 games, with Rangers and English Championship clubs reportedly weighing up a move for the Scotland international. With 18 months left on his current deal, Hearts are preparing a contract extension offer, although it has been indicated that a significant wage rise will be necessary to secure Shankland’s commitment.
Aberdeen, on the other hand, is set to bid farewell to loan duo Rhys Williams and Or Dadia in January. Williams, a Liverpool loanee, is poised to return to Anfield after failing to secure a first-team spot. Additionally, Dadia is also expected to depart due to limited playing opportunities at Pittodrie.
As for Celtic’s midfielder Matt O’Riley, Neil Lennon believes the club will retain him until the summer but anticipates a high-value sale thereafter. Lennon suggests O’Riley’s potential departure for a substantial fee, emphasizing the club’s desire to retain the talented midfielder for the immediate future.
