BUCKLE UP FOR JANUARY SALES
Forget about any vast spending sprees, our clubs will hunt for a mid-winter bargain
NO, it won’t quite reach the frenzied heights of the supermarket sweep-style action south of the Border; basic finances dictate that no Scottish clubs will feature in this month’s tickertape procession of obscene numbers paid for obscure players. But business will be — and must be — done by the leading teams in the land. Among those chasing the Premiership title, a European place or merely survival in the top flight, there are varying degrees of necessity and a variety of glaring gaps to be filled. The trio of clubs currently leading the charge for automatic promotion to Scotland’s elite division, meanwhile, know that standing still risks being overtaken in the home straight. With all of that in mind, Sportsmail presents a breakdown of where each club would like to strengthen — or at least avoid being weakened by departures — during the January transfer window.
CELTIC
After a slew of underwhelming performances, Ronny Deila’s side could do with an injection of quality in order to revive the manager’s stuttering tenure.
Last January, the signings of Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven re-energised Celtic for the second half of the season. A similar shot of adrenaline is surely now required.
Rising Croatian star Ivan Mocinic has been shortlisted to add a new dimension to their midfield. However, several Italian clubs — including Sampdoria — are also keen on the 22-year-old from Rijeka, who made his senior international debut late last year.
Deila was in Spain on Sunday to watch Eibar record a 4-0 win over Real Betis. Serbian centre-half Aleksandar Pantic, currently on loan at Eibar from Villarreal, is thought to have been the primary reason for his trip. The Norwegian also ran the rule over forward duo Sergi Enrich and Borja Baston as he weighs up potential additions.
Closer to home, Dundee United youngster John Souttar — who is out of contract in the summer — is a long-term target who remains under consideration.
ABERDEEN
Having worked hard to extend contracts over the past 12 months, the Dons feel confident of retaining their key players for the second half of the campaign.
Derek McInnes recently moved to quash rumours about the immediate future of Shay Logan, whose family live in Manchester, by insisting the right-back will remain at Pittodrie until the end of the season.
The Dons manager could also have funds available for a couple of additions. Loan deals for Josh Parker and Ryan McLaughlin come to an end this month.
Given that neither have featured significantly, McInnes may seek to use that money more wisely as he aims to put pressure on Celtic during the title run-in.
HEARTS
Head coach Robbie Neilson and director of football Craig Levein have both stated that Hearts will seek to add another striker before the end of the month.
Juanma, Osman Sow and, more recently, Gavin Reilly have all produced goals for the Tynecastle club this term. However, a recent spate of draws has i ncreased Neilson’s desire to bring in another forward option.
The Tynecastle outfit may also seek cover at l eft- back, with Nigerian i nternational Juwon Oshaniwa still adapting to Scottish f ootball f ollowing his summer switch from Israeli club Ashdod.
Neilson has admitted, though, that he would be content simply if all of his top talents stayed put.
ST JOHNSTONE
Tommy Wright has insisted it would take an ‘unbelievable’ offer for the Perth club to consider parting with star performer Michael O’Halloran this month.
Celtic, Rangers and Swansea are among the clubs to have been linked with the 24-year-old. For his part, O’Halloran has made it clear he is in no rush to exit McDiarmid Park, while admitting he would like another crack at England in the future, having failed to establish himself during his time at Bolton.
In terms of additions, Wright may again look to utilise his contacts in England to land a loan move and shore up Saints’ push for another European qualification.
ROSS COUNTY
In contrast with recent transfer windows, this one is likely to be a little bit quieter in Dingwall.
Jim McIntyre signed 14 new players during the summer, after the release of a similar number at the end of last season. Twelve months ago, County made six midterm additions to fuel a remarkable drive clear of relegation trouble.
This time, McIntyre has ruled out any wholesale alterations and admitted he will only make a move if an option to deliver genuine improvement becomes available.
County currently have a fourpoint cushion in terms of a top-six place, winning three of their last five outings.
INVERNESS CT
Caley Thistle boss John Hughes’ No 1 priority in January is to retain the services of Miles Storey. The Swindon Town striker, who has scored eight goals for Inverness, is due to return to his parent club after this weekend’s Scottish Cup tie at Stirling Albion.
In addition to keeping Storey, Hughes i s desperate to l and another forward to bolster his attacking options, having seen injured winger Ryan Christie return to parent club Celtic.
Having lost key players like Graeme Shinnie and Marley Watkins in the summer, Inverness will be keen to hold on to the i mpressive Greg Tansey, who scored three free-kicks in four days across Christmas against Hamilton and Ross County.
DUNDEE
Paul Hartley is hoping to keep hold of his highly-rated striker Greg Stewart, who has been a Dens Park sensation since making the step up from Cowdenbeath in 2014.
In terms of incoming players, the Dundee boss’ priority is to shore up his leaky defence to help his side mount a top-six challenge. Outwith the bottom three, the Dark Blues have conceded more goals than anyone else. Hartley has been linked with a loan move for West Ham’s former Hamilton full-back Stephen Hendrie.
MOTHERWELL
This time last season, Motherwell and Ross County recruited well and survived, while St Mirren paid the price for a lack of investment. But Mark McGhee has already admitted there is ‘no chance’ the Fir Park club will splash the cash to buy their way out of relegation trouble. If there are going to be ins at Fir Park, there will have to be outs first.
The Motherwell boss has already done arguably his most important business of the window, however, by extending the loan of the everpresent and highly i mpressive Conor Ripley from Middlesbrough.
McGhee will also be hoping that he can keep hold of red-hot striker Louis Moult, who has scored 12 goals in his last 18 games.
PARTICK TH
Thistle manager Alan Archibald is in the market for a new creative player and would also like some firepower to ease the burden on top scorer Kris Doolan.
He has allowed Ryan Stevenson to return to Ayr United on an emergency loan deal, while Robbie Muirhead is back at Dundee United as of yesterday.
Thistle will also be keen to ward off interest in high- performing players like Tomas Cerny, Stuart Bannigan and Liam Lindsay.
HAMILTON
Accies boss Martin Canning believes his transfer dealings this month could decide whether Hamilton push for the top six or become embroiled in the relegation battle. With just one win in 12 matches, the New Douglas Park side are hoping for experienced, influential campaigners to ward off the mid-season jitters. A striker is high on his list of priorities.
Canning will also hope that star player Ali Crawford will still be around to contribute goals and creativity in midfield in the second half of the campaign.
KILMARNOCK
There is no money. Not a spare penny to be found, according to manager Gary Locke, who knows he will have to at least trim the wage bill before even thinking about bringing anyone in.
As ever with a team struggling near the foot of the table, tightening up the defence is key. A solid centre-half, the Holy Grail for teams battling for survival, is now almost a necessity.
Killie are well- equipped further up the field, so could theoretically lose one or two without too much pain — as long as Euro 2016-bound striker Josh Magennis remains in situ.
DUNDEE UNITED
To hang with the cost. Clear the decks, get rid of what you can, import half a squad of fresh talent boasting the skills, nous and winning mentality missing from the current bunch. Either that or start preparing for life in the Championship.
Those are pretty much the only two choices facing the Dundee United board, who must realise that only a miracle of Ross County proportions — the Staggies were stuck on 12 points by the middle of February last year — can save them.
County made wholesale changes in the mid- season transfer window. United fans, more used to seeing their best players leave in January, would gladly drive some of the current squad to the station this year.
AND IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP...
RANGERS
Failure to gain promotion to the Premiership at the second attempt is utterly unthinkable for the Ibrox club, who began their January recruitment early by snapping up Doncaster Rovers winger Harry Forrester and Polish goalkeeper Maciej Gostomski on six-month deals.
Those acquisitions, hardly the megaspending required for the long-term goal of challenging old rivals Celtic for the biggest prizes in the land, signal at least some serious intent to pull away from their Championship challengers.
Despite the current upswing in form, there are still question marks about the centre of the Rangers defence. Unlikely to lose anyone this month, they may move for a centre-half.
FALKIRK
With a team currently sitting second in the Championship, their status as genuine title contenders no longer in doubt, the traditional January pastime of Falkirk fans involves crossing fingers and hoping to keep their best players.
Will Vaulks is the main target, with the list of clubs credited with having an interest in the 22-year-old including Celtic and Rangers ( obviously), Norwich City, Wigan Athletic — and even Sporting Lisbon.
Having already agreed an extended loan to keep Aberdeen goalkeeper Danny Rogers for the rest of the season, the Bairns just need to hold tight.
HIBERNIAN
How much do they really want to win the title? Sure, everyone at Hibs is keen to see the club back in the top flight. But the thought of a transfer-market arms race with Rangers appeals to few at Easter Road.
Alan Stubbs will certainly look to make one or two additions and he confirmed yesterday that Norwegian defender Niklas Gunnarsson is ‘99-percent certain’ to join.
A more reliable partner for Jason Cummings would be ideal. Should Hibs lose top scorer Cummings, of course, they can forget about the title.