The Story So Far
It’s been mostly one-way traffic in the SPL. Most clubs are clearing the decks, getting rid of the dead wood while sending others out on loan.
Most notably, of the ‘Big 2′ in Scotland, only Celtic have added to the ranks. They’ve raided Northern Ireland once more, following on from the success of Pat McCourt last June, and signed Naill McGinn from Derry City for £200,000. The young 21- year-old, a former PFAI Young Player of the Year can play in midfield or up front. The other player signed by Celtic in time for this transfer window was 18-year-old Czech defender Milan Misun from FK Pribram.
Rangers meanwhile, despite putting up the ‘For Sale – Please’ signs up, have only managed to offload Chris Burke and Jean-Claude Darcheville to greener pastures.
Aberdeen have so far brought in Javan Vidal on loan from Manchester City. There was much fanfare and trumpeting around this young man, but his first appearance in a red shirt on Saturday against Rangers made Inside Left slightly apprehensive. OK, first game and all that but he was pretty shite. From what we could see he had no first touch, preferring to play it out of the box despite having a several rabid Rangers players after you, and seemed quite keen on the auld long punt. He’ll fit in well then.
Dundee United have lost Roy O’Donovan, recalled to a struggling Sunderland side once his loan period finished. The young Irishman made 13 appearances for United, scoring once, but failed to establish himself in the side following suspension. He’s now playing at Blackpool.
Hibernian have strengthened with forward Jonaton Johansson joining up, possibly as a safe-guard against the departure of Stephen Fletcher (to Middlesborough possibly?). The last time we looked however, Fletcher was still with the Easter Road outfit. Will this mean we’ll be seeing four up front at Easter Road soon? And triple-word score Scrabble favourite Grzegorz Szamotulski has signed from FC Ashdod. The Polish international goalkeeper will give Yves Ma-Kalambay, Andy McNeil and Dávid Gróf something to think about (i.e. not conceding soft goals).
Hearts have rescued Calum Elliot from Livingston before he’s sold of to passing slave-traders to ease the Almondvale outfit’s financial troubles.
Other notable transfers (and that is stretching the meaning of the word ‘notable’) include an aged Russell Latapy, who leaves Falkirk to start his coaching career with powerhouses Trinidad and Tobago, Steven Thomson (at 30 not exactly a spring-chicken either) leaves Brighton to join up at St. Mirren.
Hamilton are the transfer kings this season, moving no less than 8 players in one director or another, including perennial on-loaner striker Paul McGowan from Celtic (yep, on loan) and former Gretna hitman Kenny Deuchar from Real Salt Lake. The 28-year-old seems to not have lost any of his eye for goal, scoring 10 times in 14 games at St Johnstone. He’ll give some more depth and experience up front as Accies consolidate their position in the SPL.
The full list of transfers so far can be seen at the BBC site so we’ll not waste any more time, but trust us when we say that it doesn’t make for interesting reading.
So much then for the transfers so far. But what about those that might yet come?
Idle Gossip and Rumour
Celtic, like many clubs have been sniffing around Hamilton’s James McCarthy, but the youngster seems happy at the club and is probably hoping for a move to a club down south. So with McCarthy out of the running, James McArthur is next on the list. According to the Sun, Celtic are said to be lining up a £1.5m bid. Possibly as an insurance, they’re also interested in Manchester City striker Ched Evans. With the arrival of Craig Bellamy from West Ham, Evans might see his options being limited, so the £1.2m offer Celtic are said to have made might give Wales international something to think about. Sheffield United and Cardiff are also on the hunt for his signature.
Hearts are set to lose Christophe Berra and Laryea Kingston, if the rumours are to be believed. Berra is linked with a move to Sunderland, while Kingston is said to be a target for German side Schalke 04.
Inverness Caley have problems aplenty at the moment, so their move for Livi captain James McPake. The defenders is also being tracked by Motherwell and St. Mirren.
It looks like Kris Boyd will be staying with Rangers, with no other clubs reporting a serious interest in Scotland’s top scorer. The big money move to Birmingham seem to have fallen through, meaning Smith might not have much in the way of transfer funds available to him.
However, Walter Smith might be rescued by the fact that Arsenal are said to be interested in goalkeeper Allan McGregor, with manager Arsene Wenger weighing up a £4.5m move for the Scotland number 2.
Should that move come off and the transfer funds made available, then Smith might take another look at Portugese defender Tonel. Rangers expressed an interest last year and Tonel has said that a move to the SPL would interest him. A sum of around £3m should do the job we think. The 28-year-old is currently injured, but with Real Betis, Lazio and Panathinaikos all said to be interested, Smith needs to act quickly.
Lastly, Rangers player John Fleck has attracted the attention of Alex Ferguson, the Sun reporting that the Manchester United gaffer has sent his brother to run a personal check on the Rangers teenage striker.
Right, that’s it – any more juicy gossip, do drop us a note via our Contact page.
(sources – BBC, The Sun, News of the World, The Times, The Daily Record)
Related posts:
- The 2008/09 SPL Season Review
- Damn you Andrew Little! (or: “The Scottish Fitba Review”)
- The Scottish Football Weekend Gala Roundup
- Scottish Fitba Weekender
- The Week in Scottish Football
Tags: Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United, Falkirk, Hamilton Accies, Hearts, Hibernian, Inverness Caley, Rangers, SPL, St. Mirren, Transfer Window
