Former Hibernian manager Shaun Maloney remains unsure whether he will return to football management, while dismissing speculation that he has been directing matters at Celtic as Martin O’Neill’s assistant, according to The Scottish Sun. Elsewhere across Scottish football, clubs are preparing for squad adjustments ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Transfer Developments at Celtic and Rangers
Celtic are maintaining their interest in Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Balazs Toth, as reported by Football Insider. The 29-year-old Hungary international, who was previously linked with the Glasgow club during the summer window, has turned down proposals to extend his stay at Ewood Park.
Across the city, Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin has drawn attention from Real Betis ahead of the January transfer period. TeamTalk reports that the Spanish side are monitoring the 25-year-old Belgian, though Rangers have no intention of sanctioning an easy departure.
Meanwhile, former Scotland forward Don Hutchison reflected in The National on his decision not to move to Ibrox when leaving Sunderland in 2001, questioning whether Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson might face a comparable dilemma in his career.
Managerial Pressures and Player Updates
Several Scottish Premiership figures have addressed recent challenges on and off the pitch. Former Dundee and Dunfermline manager James McPake encouraged under-fire managers Alfred Johansson of Motherwell, St Mirren’s Craig McLeish, and Hibernian’s Marink Reedijk to hold firm to their footballing principles, according to The Scottish Sun.
Dunfermline manager Neil Lennon also highlighted the intensity facing coaches, telling The Scottish Sun that managerial criticism is frequently disproportionate and questioning whether adequate mental health support exists in the game. In a separate report from the Daily Record, Steven Pressley disclosed that he came close to stepping down as Dundee head coach on several occasions throughout the previous campaign.
On the injury front, Dundee United face uncertainty regarding the extent of forward Lachlan Rose’s ankle problem, though winger Mehdi Merghem may feature in Saturday’s meeting with Aberdeen, according to The Courier. Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson also accepted responsibility in the Press and Journal for winger Tony Yogane’s sluggish beginning at the club, noting that the player is now finding more effective attacking positions. At Heart of Midlothian, 19-year-old forward James Wilson remains relaxed despite moving into the final months of his current contract, per the Edinburgh Evening News.
European and International News
Ahead of their Europa League match against Celtic, Celta Vigo midfielder Ilaix Moriba has been cleared to play despite a recent break-in at his home in which significant amounts of jewellery were taken, as reported by The National.
Meanwhile, Scotland international Scott McTominay stated that he is nearing peak condition after scoring two goals in Napoli’s 4-3 Champions League win against Bodo/Glimt, having recently undergone a medical procedure to address an irregular heart rhythm.
Source: BBC Sport
