We are only into the second week of the January, but teams up and down the Premiership have already been conducting business in the winter window.
Celtic are said to be working hard on a sensational deal to bring Kieran Tierney back to Parkhead from Arsenal, and Brendan Rodgers could be tempted to go into the market again in January if the right opportunity presents itself. Across the city at Rangers, Philippe Clement will also be hoping for a few additions before the window slams shut. His funds may be restricted in like of the club’s well documented financial issues, but with the Belgian currently without several key defensive players, reinforcements in that position are essential.
Aberdeen’s collapse under Jimmy Thelin has been a real cause for concern, but the Swede has already got off the mark with two signings in January, and more are sure to follow. Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United will also be busy, with the Irishman making note of the small squad at his disposal on several occasions already this season. Hearts have added new two faces to their squad in the window so far and Neil Critchley will be eyeing up more signings to try and ease their relegation woes, with fellow strugglers St Johnstone also in fire need of some new additions to arrest their horrible defensive record. Record Sport takes a look at where each club may look to strengthen this window.
Aberdeen – Aune Heggebo – striker
Swede Thelin is desperately searching for answers to end the Dons’ dismal run of 10 league games without a win. The ex Elfsborg boss has already recruited wide man Jeppe Okkels on loan from Preston and Latvian defender Kristers Tobers from Grasshoppers for around £700,000 and the continued backing from chairman Dave Cormack could see Aberdeen’s spending spree in January continue. The Reds have been found wanting up front ever since the rejuvented Pape Habib Gueye picked up an injury back in August, with fellow strikers Ester Sokler and Kevin Nisbet failing to find the net on a consistent basis.
And while Gueye is expected to return to fitness this month, Thelin is likely to be actively looking to bolster his options at the top end of the pitch to ease the Senegalese forward’s burden. The Pittodrie club have signed players from all over Europe in recent seasons and could do so again with the capture of Brann’s Aune Heggebo for example.
The 23-year-old Norwegian striker hit 14 goals in 30 matches in the Eliteserien and is a former teammate of current Dons midfielder Sivert Heltne Nilsen. Heggebo has also had a taste of European football and was on the scoreline in the 4-2 aggregate victory against St Mirren in qualiyfying for the Conference League earlier this season..
Celtic – Carney Chukwuemeka – midfielder
The bulk of transfer talk at Parkhead this month is likely to centre around Celtic’s attempts to bring back Tierney. His arrival could have repercussions on the rest of the squad, with current left back Greg Taylor a target for Dinamo Zagreb, who are now managed by Italy’s 2006 World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro.
But one transfer link involving the Hoops that just won’t go away is a potential loan move for Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka. The 21-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge from Aston Villa in 2022 but has made just 32 appearances for the Blues since then. Enzo Maresca is keen for the England U20 international – who has a £40m release clause – to go out and get some regular minutes and while Rodgers is spoilt for choice in midfield, Chukwuemeka could provide some added flair on the ball.
Dundee – Tommy McDermott – attacking midfielder
Tony Docherty completed his first signing of the window with the capture of defender Aaron Donnelly – who impressed on a loan at Dens Park last season – on a permanent transfer from Nottingham Forest. And the Dee boss could now switch his attentions to adding some creativity in the middle of the park.
Star man Lyall Cameron is out of contract in the summer and is likely to have no shortage of suitors up. If Dundee were to opt to cash in on the attacking midfielder in January, then they could use their strategic partnership with English Championship sider Burnley to push for a loan deal for talented youngster Tommy McDermott.
The 19-year-old joined the Clarets on a permanent transfer from Port Vale 12 months ago but has made just one solitary appearance at Turf Moor. But the attacking midfielder is very much seen as one for the future at could flourish in a move to Tayside in the second half of the season.
Dundee United – Trent Kone-Doherty – winger
Tannadice boss Jim Goodwin is yet to make a signing so far, despite making his desire to add to his small squad very clear. United are on course to qualify for Europe in their first season back in the top-flight following promotion and a pacey wide player could be just what the doctor ordered in giving them some additional attacking threat.
Liverpool loanee Luca Stephenson has been a resounding success since his arrival last summer and could try and use that link to their advantage again. The Merseyside giants have an abundance of young players searching for regular minutes and a loan move for tricky winger Trent Kone-Doherty – a star performer at U21 level – could prove to be fruitful.
Hearts -Danny Armstrong – winger
Hearts have made a quick start in the window after sealing a loan deal for Union SG’s Elton Kabangu and a Premiership return for defender Jamie McCart on a permanent transfer from Rotherham. But one other area that Neil Critchley may look to strengthen in January is in the wide areas. Skipper Lawrence Shankland’s struggles in front of goal have dominated a lot of talk about the Jambos season so far, but in his defence service from the wide areas has been lacking at the best of times.
Hearts have already been linked with a move for Killie star Danny Armstrong, and with the player out of contract in the summer, Rugby Park boss Derek McInnes has admitted the winger wants to move on at the end of the season. But with the futures of duo Barrie McKay and Yutaro Oda up in the air, Critchley may try and convince the Jambos board to make a move for Armstrong now, rather than get him on a pre-contract agreement that wouldn’t see him arrive at Tynecastle until the summer.
Hibernian – Danny Jebbison – striker
City rivals Hibs have enjoyed something of a revival under David Gray in recent weeks after previously lingering at the bottom of the table. And the ex Hibees skipper will look to take advantage of that upturn in results by adding to his squad in the winter window. Hibs could do with some strengthening across the board but one position that could be looked at the forward department.
With Swansea loanee Mykola Kukharevych out injured, veteran forward Dwight Gayle is the only natural striker available to Gray, with wide man Elie Youan and Martin Boyle filling in through the middle. But following the Black Knight Football Club’s acquisition of a 25 per cent stake in Hibs’ last year, another link-up with Premier League side Bournemouth – who are owned by the US firm – could prove beneficial. Striker Daniel Jebbison has been on the fringes of Andoni Iraola’s squad and has just returned from a loan spell at Watford. His goalscoring record doesn’t exactly set the world alight but he could provide Gray with a more conventional target through the middle if a loan deal were to be agreed.
Kilmarnock – Nicky Clark – striker
McInnes’ Kilmarnock are also on the hunt for a striker in the wake of injuries to captain Kyle Vassell and Innes Cameron. The former Aberdeen boss is known for his ability to attract proven Premiership players to Rugby Park and may opt to try and repeat the trick again. Despite his team sitting eight points adrift at the bottom of the league. veteran striker Nicky Clark, 33, has been in decent form with six strikes so far and could provide McInnes with an adequate solution to his current predicament.
Killie could also look down south for a temporary loan deal. Sam Cosgrove has scored just once in 21 matches for Barnsley this season but enjoyed a prolific spell under McInnes at Pittodrie.
Motherwell – Thomas Hill – midfielder
Manager Stuart Kettlewell has already snapped up Coventry forward Kai Andrews on loan and stated that the club will only look to do more business this month if the right player becomes available. The Steelmen are well stocked across the park but with teen sensation Lennon Miller out for two months could be tempted to try and add some more creativity in midfield this month.
A loan move for Liverpool’s versatile midfielder Tom Hill – a former Wales U21 international – could be ideal. The 22-year-old has been ravaged with injuries in recent seasons but did make his sole appearance for the Anfield giants in a League Cup clash against Aston Villa at the age of 17 in 2019.
Rangers – Jonny Evans – central defender
The Light Blues have been linked with a whole host of defenders so far this month, including former Watford’s former Hibs star Ryan Porteous and Marseille’s Bamo Meite. And one man who could be the answer to Clement’s troubles is Manchester United veteran Jonny Evans. At 37, the 107-time Northern Ireland cap is very much in the twilight of his career, but his know-how and experience would be very welcome at Ibrox.
Evans made 30 appearances in total for United following his return to Old Trafford from Leicester last season, but has found opportunities harder to come by since Ruben Amorim’s arrival. His wages could however be a stumbling block for Rangers in any potential loan move unless a compromise with the Red Devils can be reached.
Ross County – Peter Ambrose – striker
Given that they are the lowest scorers in the Premiership so far (with just 22 goals from 22 games), it’s easy to see where Ross County’s biggest problems lie. Summer signing Ronan Hale started the campaign in fine fettle but has since gone off the boil while Jordan White, Eamon Brophy and Alex Samuel and Jack Grieves have scored just five league goals between them.
The limited resources available to Don Cowie will make trying to bring in a prolific front man very difficult, with a loan signing the most likely solution. Aberdeen striker Peter Ambrose has came under flak for his displays since his arrival from Upjest last summer but could find his feet with a loan switch up to Dingwall. The Nigerian has scored twice for the Dons and hit a respectable nine goals for Hungarian top-flight side Ujpest last season.
St Johnstone – Charles Dunne – centre back
With his team eight points from safety, Simo Valakari has much to ponder at McDiarmid Park at the moment. Fans of the Saints gathered outside the stadium in the aftermath of last weekend’s home defeat to Dundee to demand answers, with Perth bosses now vowing that they will back Finn Valakari in the window to try and pull off a great escape.
And having shipped a worrying 44 goals in their first 22 games, shoring up the back line is bound to be on Valaraki’s list of priorities. The former Riga boss has already added Swansea stopper Andy Fisher on loan and could see a move for St Mirren’s Charles Dunne as a viable option given his lack of minutes since returning to Paisley
St Mirren – Ollie Shaw – striker
Buddies frontmanToyosi Olusanya has been in decent form with five league goals in 16 matches so far this season, but with the player reportedly set on leaving the club at the end of his contract in the summer, St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson may look to move ahead of the curve by signing another striker this month.
Forward Owen Oseni has already arrived on a permanent deal from Gateshead, with Irishman Robinson hoping to replicate his good knack of spotting players from England’s lower leagues. But Robinson could benefit from trying to land an attacker who is already accustomed to Scottish football. Ollie Shaw tops the goalscoring charts with Hamilton in the Scottish Championship and could be ready for another crack at the top-flight after previous spells with Hibs, Ross County and Kilmarnock.