Your January 6 transfer window update. Not The Old Firm delivers updates concerning Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs, Dundee and Ross County.
Aberdeen to land Okkels
Aberdeen are close to securing the signing of winger Jeppe Okkels, initially on loan from Preston but with the option of making it permanent.
The 24-year-old previously played under Jimmy Thelin at Elfsborg before being signed by Utrecht and then the English Championship side six months later.
But that move has turned sour having barely featured and Okkels will hope his reunion with his former boss can reignite his career.
It’s the first of what is expected to be several incomings at Pittodrie with defender Kristers Tobers another in Aberdeen’s sights.
Hearts transfer latest
Hearts manager Neil Critchley has admitted there’s a chance of Barrie McKay and Yutaro Oda both leaving the club after they failed to make the bench against Dundee United.
But at the same time, the Jambos boss hasn’t ruled out them earning a reprieve after Jorge Grant and Liam Boyce forced their way back into his plans.
Kye Rowles is likely to be an exit from Gorgie as DC United line up a £600,000 deal, but Critchley insisted it’s not a done deal yet.
Hearts have so far signed Elton Kabangu and Jamie McCart in this window but the former is yet to feature as a work permit is yet to be secured. Critchley is hopeful that will be in place in time to face Aberdeen this weekend.
Meanwhile, former Jam Tarts midfielder Peter Haring has finally found a new club after leaving Tynecastle last summer.
The 31-year-old Austrian did enough while on trial at Wolfsberger to win a deal back in his homeland.
O’Connor on leaving Hibs
Hibs have so far only had outgoings, one of them being striker Josh O’Connor.
He has explained his thinking behind moving to Crusaders in Northern Ireland, telling the Belfast Telegraph: “Put me in front of goal or get me in behind and I’ll score, I feel confident in my ability. ’m really looking forward to doing the best I can for Crusaders and getting to know the fans.
“I’ve only just arrived but my first impressions have been brilliant. I played with Jacob Blaney at Hibs for 12 years and I know Kieran Offord from playing with him in a couple of Scottish underage camps, but more from playing against him. I spoke to them to ask, what’s it like? They said, ‘you’ll love it here; great city, great club, great League’.
“The move came through my agent Jackie McNamara as my contract at Hibs was up this year. He knows the manager (Declan Caddell) well and he knows the club and the League. He told me it was a really good club with a good group of players and it was pretty simple after that, it seemed like a good place to come. I met the manager and it was great. He was really upfront with me and I appreciate that. He’s a great guy.
“I feel moving to Crusaders in the Irish League is a great platform for me, definitely. I know about the League because of friends who have come over, and one of the attractions is the possibility of playing in Europe. Four teams qualify for Europe whereas in Scotland that doesn’t happen for Championship clubs and most Premiership clubs too.
“I feel moving to Crusaders in the Irish League is a great platform for me, definitely. I know about the League because of friends who have come over, and one of the attractions is the possibility of playing in Europe. Four teams qualify for Europe whereas in Scotland that doesn’t happen for Championship clubs and most Premiership clubs too.
“The fans are really passionate and I want to do as well as I can for myself, for them and for everybody at the club. I don’t know what the manager has in his plans but I’m quite a similar player to Kieran and I feel like we have it in us to run teams a lot.
“We’re both strong, powerful runners, Kieran is on fire and I have no doubt he will keep it going, I know he will. I can play through the middle, on the left, on the right, put me in a position and I’ll play it. Honestly, my aim is to play as much as I can, make a name for myself, work hard and, most of all, enjoy it.”
Dundee and Ross County eye deals
Dundee are eyeing a loan move for young Crystal Palace midfielder Jadan Raymond but League Two side Colchester are also interested.
While Ross County are set to sign Huddersfield striker Kieran Phillips, who is having a medical in the Highlands.