Rangers Transfer Updates: Ferguson Deal Drifts as Celtic Strengthens Squad

Lewis Ferguson, according to his father Derek, was ready to pull on a Rangers shirt this summer. The Scotland midfielder had agreed to join the Ibrox club, but the move never even reached Bologna’s inbox.

Speaking to Open Goal, Derek Ferguson revealed that while his son was keen and an agreement was in place on the player’s side, Rangers failed to follow through with a formal bid to the Serie A club. With the 27-year-old now settled in Italy and his reputation rising, the former Ibrox midfielder doubts there will be a second chance when the window opens again in January.

The one that got away may linger with the Rangers support, but the transfer noise around the club does not end there.

Raskin left to refocus after Besiktas fall short

Rangers had been braced for serious interest in Nicolas Raskin. They set their stall out at around £20m. Besiktas looked, asked, and walked away.

The Turkish side did not come close to the figure Rangers were working from for the 25-year-old Belgian midfielder, leaving Raskin still in Glasgow and still with something to prove. Derek McInnes believes the path is now clear for the player: perform, or watch the big move disappear.

The manager has urged Raskin to concentrate on his football over the coming months, arguing that only a strong run of form will put him back in the frame for a major January deal.

Souttar clarity coming after move collapses

Rangers’ defensive picture also remains unsettled. John Souttar was expected to be one of the players on the move before the deadline, but nothing materialised for the 29-year-old Scotland centre-half.

Derek McInnes has now promised to set out Souttar’s situation early next week, with the defender’s future at Ibrox still uncertain after the breakdown of a potential transfer. For now, he stays. How long that lasts should become clearer soon.

Celtic priced out of Gineitis as Torino stand firm

Across the city, Celtic pushed hard for Gvidas Gineitis but hit a wall. The Scottish champions were prepared to go to around £9m for the 22-year-old midfielder, yet Torino’s valuation sat closer to £13m.

That gap proved too wide. Head coach Ignacio Abate is delighted to keep hold of the Lithuania international, who remains part of Torino’s plans after the Italian club refused to budge on their price.

Sutton questions Emenalo loan call

Celtic did manage to bring in defensive cover, but not everyone is convinced by the logic. Former striker Chris Sutton has openly questioned the decision to sign 18-year-old Landon Emenalo on loan from Chelsea as back-up for Kieran Tierney.

Emenalo has yet to play a senior game for Chelsea, and Sutton finds it baffling that Celtic turned to such an inexperienced option when domestic alternatives were available. He namechecked Dundee United’s Will Ferry, Motherwell’s Emmanuel Longelo and PAOK’s Greg Taylor as players who, in his view, would have represented more straightforward and proven cover.

Strachan defends Celtic recruitment

While criticism of Celtic’s transfer strategy has been loud in some quarters, one former manager is pushing back. Gordon Strachan has praised the club’s recruitment, describing it as “phenomenal” despite the noise around the board’s business.

Strachan’s stance underlines the split in opinion around Celtic’s window: some see missed opportunities and short-term fixes, others see a squad being quietly strengthened with purpose.

Evans on radar as managerial dominoes loom

Away from Glasgow, a familiar Scottish figure could soon be on the move. Steve Evans, the 63-year-old Scot currently in charge of Bristol Rovers, is attracting attention.

Hibernian and Preston North End are both monitoring Evans as a potential option should either club decide to make a managerial change, according to reports. If one of those jobs opens up, the next shake of the dugout carousel may have a distinctly Scottish flavour.