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10 SPFL transfers craved by fans as Rangers make moves and Celtic plan for Champions League
Shortlists containing names of first, second, third and fourth choice transfer targets will have been drawn up by SPFL clubs for a while now. But fans are eager to see who’s going to be playing in their colours next season now the league season has ended.
Everyone has a view of who their club could and should sign. Sometimes those align, a lot of the time they don’t. As we know, there are so many reasons why certain transfers don’t or won’t come off. These may or may not cut it with fans, who tend to want the best players their club can possibly get – and they want them yesterday.
Rangers fans will demand quality after a trophyless season. Michael Beale has added Kieran Dowell from Norwich City and Dujon Sterling from Chelsea. Neither are likely to be the marquee signings of the summer, with a deal for Manchester United keeper Jack Butland still on their radar.
As for Celtic, the fans seem to be happy to trust Ange Postecoglou to sign who they need given the success they’ve enjoyed under the Greek-Aussie. Names often appear before fans have had the chance to decide who they might like, often from Japan. But with another Champions League campaign on the horizon and improved results on that stage expected, they may be a little more picky.
The rest all have their preferred targets as well. Record Sport looks at who the punters’ priorities are.
The Liverpool loanee has been a class act for the Dons, especially since Barry Robson took over from Jim Goodwin and guided Aberdeen to third place and European qualification. A broad agreement is in place to sign Clarkson permanently, but it depends on the player agreeing terms, and he’s weighing up his options with Reading also interested.
(Image: SNS Group)The on-loan Wimbledon man played a big part in the Dark Blues’ march to the Championship title, spending two loan spells at Dens over the course of the campaign. The Londoner netted eight goals in 19 games before being recalled in January. There was delight when they sent him back to the City of Discovery and he ended the season as their top scorer with 12 goals. Has another year left on his Dons contract but another loan might not be out of the question if new boss Tony Docherty wants him.
The striker bagged the Goal of the Season with his halfway strike against Dundee United. Returned early to Wigan from his loan due to financial issues in terms of paying wages. Those are substantial and a decrease would be needed to make a permanent move to Gorgie happen, but if the numbers were right, he’d be welcomed back.
The club tried to do a deal to bring Paterson back in January but Sheffield Wednesday didn’t want to play ball. That proved shrewd on their part as Paterson helped the Owls win promotion back to the Championship via the playoffs. Is out of contract but Wednesday will make a play to keep him and the second tier may prove tempting. Hearts need a right back with Michael Smith leaving and Paterson is liked, but maybe now out of their reach.
A romantic notion rather than a move that will actually happen perhaps, but the Israeli is out of contract at Feyenoord two years after making the move to Rotterdam from Easter Road. He’s mainly been backup at the Dutch giants, and while David Marshall remains the Hibees’ first choice, there have been grumbles about his performances as the veteran had the second lowest save percentage in the league this season.
(Image: SNS)The American has impressed since signing on loan from Bayern Munich last summer. The Gers have an exclusive option to buy the attacking midfielder, who offered some creativity when it became a slog of a season for the Light Blues. Whether £5million is on the steep side can be argued, but fans won’t be turning their noses up if the move is made permanent.
Rangers need a new No. 1. Arguably they needed one last summer but opted to give Allan McGregor one more year. Now Jack Butland is close to agreeing a move to Ibrox from Crystal Palace after his loan to Manchester United. Experienced with good pedigree, he seems to fit the bill of what fans are looking for.
(Image: Ryan Browne/REX/Shutterstock)The former Buddie was on loan at Dundee United this season but couldn’t help lead the Tangerines to safety. The Paisley faithful would have the Irishman back in a heartbeat. WIgan’s financial worries mean he’s likely to leave the Lancashire club this summer, but whether St Mirren could compete with interest from elsewhere remains to be seen as the likes of Aberdeen and Hibs could go back in for him.
