most recent information from Hearts and Hibs’ Scottish Premiership rivals
The deadline is drawing near, and there are still many agreements throughout Scotland that need to be finalized. Early in the week, rumors circulated that James Penrice, a 25-year-old left back, was being watched by both Hibs and Hearts while Lawrence Shankland’s contract was still being worked out.
Prior to January, there was much discussion on whether the Jambos striker would be moving to the West. However, no formal approach has been made for the 28-year-old, and for the time being, everyone is expected to settle down. Hearts’ current ascent to third place in the league has been largely attributed to the club captain, and the Tynecastle board had no immediate plans to move him.
With regard to Hibs, Nick Montgomery will be happy to see that Myziane Maolida, a recent addition, has already had an impact on the team. He scored a late equalizer to give the Hibees a point at Rugby Park, and he will undoubtedly play a crucial role as the Easter Road team fights to stay in the top six.
Celtic reject outcast loan deal
Volos made a loan offer to Celtic, but the Scottish Premiership leaders turned it down because they wanted a bigger salary split with the Greek Super League team for James McCarthy, a 33-year-old midfielder who hasn’t played for the Glasgow club since October 2022 (Sky Sports). Since joining the squad on a free transfer in 2021, McCarthy has not been able to secure a regular role in the starting lineup. It was announced in August that the former Crystal Palace midfielder would be leaving the Club at the conclusion of the summer transfer window. But in the end, it was fruitless, and he received very little interest. But Volos FC of Greece has recently made him their target; according to rumors, the Scottish Premiership had hoped Volos would pay a larger contribution towards the player’s wages.
Former Rangers boss presents a windfall to Celtic
Should Sunderland succeed in their alleged £2 million deal to acquire Leo Hjelde, the 20-year-old center-half who left the Scottish champions in 2021, Celtic will receive approximately £300,000 from Leeds United (Scottish Sun).
After signing the former Leeds player from Rosenborg in 2019, former Rangers manager Michael Beale has completed his first transfer as Sunderland’s manager. The player had spent two years in Celtic’s junior program before joining the club. Despite never playing for the club’s main team, he was a key member of the reserve team, made appearances in the senior squad’s preseason, and made an impression when spending a few months on loan at Ross County.
According to reports, Celtic included a 15% sell-on clause when they shipped him to Leeds. With the help of a former Ibrox manager, they will now eventually receive their money.
Rangers’ winger Rabbi Matondo is attracting the attention of Bundesliga club Mainz, who are thinking of making a loan bid for the 23-year-old Wales international (Bild). However, according to other reports, he wants to stay and fight for a starting spot with Rangers, as his chances are now improved by Brighton loanee Abdallah Sima’s layoffs (Football Scotland).
Philipp Clement, who is trying to bolster his offensive options by adding Oscar Cortes from Lens, is not yet sold on Matondo. Matondo might have had an easy way out of Ibrox before the January window closed with this trade. Director of sport Christian Heidel is apparently keen to “open the door” to a loan swap with Mainz; nevertheless, it seems the 23-year-old would want to compete for a spot in Clement’s squad, which is a very competitive position.
