Lawrence Shankland is set to leave Hearts for Rangers after booking a medical ahead of a free transfer move to Ibrox, where he will sign a two-year deal with an option for a third season.
Scotland assistant manager Steven Naismith believes Rangers are getting the best version of the striker, who netted 20 goals for Hearts during the recently concluded Premiership campaign.
Naismith said: “It’s clear that Shankland is the best he’s ever been,” as the forward prepares to join Steve Clarke’s squad for Saturday’s Hampden friendly against Curacao before a World Cup training camp.
Rangers are also closing in on the signing of free agent Dan Neil, the Sunderland midfielder who chose Ipswich over a loan move to Ibrox six months ago but now looks set to join Danny Rohl’s squad.
Rohl’s recruitment drive does not stop there, with Rangers preparing a formal bid for Dundee defender Luke Graham, who impressed throughout the season under Steven Pressley at Dens Park.
Elsewhere, Motherwell midfielder Eliot Watt has been linked with a move to Ibrox, while Rangers could face a battle to hold on to Nicolas Raskin and Emmanuel Fernandez, both attracting European interest.
At Celtic, clarifying the managerial situation takes priority, with interim boss Martin O’Neill scheduled to hold talks with major shareholder Dermot Desmond this week to determine his long-term future at Parkhead.
O’Neill’s assistant Shaun Maloney is reportedly being lined up for a sporting director role, while Celtic have revived their interest in Danish winger Jakob Breum after failed attempts to sign him last summer.
Johnny Kenny has made clear his ambitions to stay at Celtic and become their next 20-goal striker, insisting he can save the club significant transfer fees by nailing down the number nine jersey this season.
Kenny, who scored six goals on loan at Bolton Wanderers to help fire the club into the League One play-offs, said: “I can lead the line and prove myself at Parkhead” after returning from a knee injury.
Hearts now face the immediate task of replacing Shankland, with Josh McPake arriving on a pre-contract from St Johnstone and a deal for French midfielder Tom Renaud understood to be close to completion.
The Tynecastle club are also targeting Lincoln City defender MJ Kamson-Kamara and York City’s Malachi Fagan-Walcott as they look to reshape their squad ahead of next season’s Premiership campaign.
Aberdeen are moving quickly to rebuild after confirming the exit of 12 players, including captain Graeme Shinnie, who has already completed a return to Inverness Caledonian Thistle on a two-year deal.
The Dons are closing in on Kilmarnock pair Lewis Mayo and Brad Lyons as they look to strengthen under new management following a turbulent end to their 2024/25 season at Pittodrie.
Motherwell remain without a permanent manager after Jens Berthel Askou departed for Toulouse, leaving the club to search for his replacement ahead of the new campaign starting this summer.
Hibs confirmed eight player departures, including Elie Youan, who ends a four-year stay at Easter Road having scored 25 goals and registered 21 assists across 118 appearances for the club.
St Mirren’s board are meeting to discuss candidates for their permanent managerial vacancy, with interim boss Craig McLeish among those under consideration after guiding the club past Partick Thistle in the play-off final.
Dundee United youngster Jamie Forrest, a 17-year-old midfielder described as one of the most technically gifted players coming through the Tannadice academy, has attracted interest from Premier League and Championship clubs in England.
Dundee remain in contract discussions with goalkeeper Jon McCracken and defender Clark Robertson, while Livingston confirmed the signing of Jordan Doherty from Raith Rovers on a free transfer ahead of their Championship campaign.
