Transfer Deadline Day LIVE REACTION: Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Hibs – Giakoumakis latest, Raskin speaks, Aberdeen drama

Beale's deadline day

Michael Beale might have been expecting to spend the final few hours of transfer deadline day camped behind a desk, sitting by the phone or frantically answering and sending emails.

Instead he spent it just sitting in his car.

A world away from the busy nature of the window's conclusion, the Rangers boss was watching his son's football training.

He posted on Instagram: "At my boy's footy training - too wet and cold for me out there tonight 🚙🌧🌧📺".

Gary goes

Goalkeeper Gary Woods has left Kilmarnock to join Exeter City.

The experienced 32-year old moved to Rugby Park last summer but never made an appearance.

Woods, formerly of Hamilton Accies and Aberdeen, has been signed-up by Exeter boss Gary Caldwell for the rest of the season.

Cho leaves door open

Cho Gue-sung has left the door open to a move to Celtic in the summer.

Before the Hoops turned to Oh Hyeon-gyu, it was his fellow South Korean international who was the man identified as the replacement for Giorgos Giakoumakis.

The reason for the breakdown in talks is unclear but if Gue-sung's latest words are anything to go by, it wasn't because he didn't want to leave his current club.

He will now stay at Hyundai Jeonbuk Motors until the end of the season but could leave for Europe in the summer.

He told South Korean outlet MBN: "After resting for a while, I am now in a state where I have pulled up my body and I have to hit 100 per cent right away.

"If I go in this state now, how competitive will I be?” 

Hoops youngsters will find first team breakthrough difficult

Celtic's youngsters are going to find it hard to ever break into the first team under Ange Postecoglou, according to a former Rangers and Scotland star.

Alan Hutton knows fine well the pressure that's involved with being at an Old Firm side but says in an ideal world, young players would still progress.

But he cited the strong starting XI Postecoglou named against Championship side Morton recently as a reason to think it doesn't look good for any of the up-and-coming talent.

Hutton told Football Insider: “I have been there myself and sometimes you think you are never going to break into the team because they are buying constantly.

“Everybody understands that at Rangers and Celtic you must win silverware, that is the remit at the start of the season. The flip side to that is that if you are good enough you will play.

“In the Morton game it just shows you how serious Ange is taking it. He put out such a strong team but of course you want to see young players coming through.”

Count Haz out

Conor Hazard has turned down the option of a loan move from Celtic to Ross County, according to reports.

The Hoops fourth-string goalkeeper spent time on loan at HJK Helsinki last year and remains behind Joe Hart, Benjamin Siegrist and Scott Bain on Ange Postecoglou's goalkeeping depth chart for the moment.

Ross County were keen to take him up north for the remainder of the season and would've looked to offer more game time but the 24-year-old has rejected the move, according to the Daily Record.

Jones return

Jordan Jones looks set for a shock return to Wigan, according to a report.

Wigan Today claim the English Championship outfit have activated their recall option for Jones, who has been on loan at Kilmarnock.

Shaun Maloney was appointed Wigan boss last week and the report says the ex-Scotland international is keen to explore all of the options available to him squad wise.

The Latics are bottom of the table after a horror run under previous manager Kolo Toure.

Raskin debut?

Rangers fans will be eager to see Nicolas Raskin in action, but will they see him in action tonight?

Well, it's a little bit unknown at this stage as the Light Blues confirmed at the time of the 21-year old's signing that he was still waiting for a work permit.

If it's all ratified in time, then there's no reason he couldn't be involved in the squad against Hearts at Tynecastle.

Giako sell-on sweat

By Mark Walker

Dutch club VVV Venlo admit they are desperate for Giorgos Giakoumakis to seal his big money exit from Celtic - because they want to net a bumper cash windfall.

The Greek striker has opted for the MLS with Atlanta United, over the diea of a switch to Japan with Urawa Red Diamonds.

VVV would be due a 15 per cent sell-on if of the £4.3million fee if and when he leaves Celtic, with the American transfer window still having 12 weeks to run.

The club's general manager Marco Boogers revealed: "Giorgos is quite a thinker. He is very careful in making a choice. Given his age, I expect that the financial aspect will play an important role.

"We were always confident he would get a nice follow-on transfer from Celtic. That is why we considered the resale percentage to be very important.

"We had hoped that he would make a step to the Premier League. That tradition is there, with Celtic players. Recently another Celtic striker, Odsonne Edouard, went to Crystal Palace for £17 million. In the Premier League, such amounts are easily paid.

"We hoped that Giakoumakis would also get a big transfer. It is also quite strange that English clubs have not yet come. He has great stats.

"When he does complete his transfer, we still owe part of the money to his former club AEK Athens and to his agent. But it will be money that we have not budgeted for and that we have not taken into account for this season. This extra income is always nice for a club like VVV."

Well more to do

Motherwell announced the signing of Jonathan Obika this morning but there may still be more to come from Fir Park.

Chief exec Alan Burrows revealed in the early hours that the club are still working away on further deals.

He tweeted: "Announcements for tonight are done folks (so you can head to bed), but we’ve got a bit more to do, which, all going well, will come tomorrow."

No More for Alfredo

Alfredo Morelos is still a Rangers player after the January transfer window has been and gone.

But Celtic legend Frank McAvennie insists his career at Ibrox is already as good as over.

The Hoops hero reckons Morelos has only been featuring heavily because of injury problems to other stars and reckons he'll be off when his contract expires at the end of the season.

He told Football Insider: “The only reason he is getting a game is because Roofe and Colak are injured.

“You can see that he is not fit. You look at him and think that he is not fit. Certainly not fit enough for top flight football. I really do not know why the manager does not batter him in training.

“It is not doing him any good and his career will be gone before he realises it. He was a different class striker. He was their talisman. The idea that he is going to go to a big club, there is not a chance.“

Boss Michael Beale, however, still remains hopeful that Morelos will extend his deal with the club beyond the end of the current campaign.

Shankland to Rangers? 'They couldn't afford him!'

Hearts sporting director Joe Savage has claimed (perhaps tongue-in-cheek) that Rangers couldn't afford Lawrence Shankland's transfer fee, if they were interested in buying the striker this month.

The Jambos chief revealed in an interview with BBC Scotland that the 27-year-old hitman is not for sale and predicted he'll become a Tynecastle legend.

He said: "They wouldn't be able to afford him! I can tell you that right now. Not a chance. No price, he's not for sale. Shanks is not going anywhere. Shanks is going to get 30-odd goals for us this season and become an absolute Hearts legend, that's the plan!”

I'll get the Humph if I can't stay

Stephen Humphrys would LOVE to make his move to Hearts a permanent one.

The winger is currently on loan at Wigan and has become a favourite with the Jambos fans, not least because of a goal against Hibs in one of the two recent derby wins.

Humphrys told the Edinburgh Evening News: “I spoke to the manager here. He asked me if I want to stay here and I said: ‘Yeah, I really love it here. I love the fans and my team-mates so why not stay?’

"I’ve literally moved everything up here to be here. My girlfriend is up here, my dog is up here. I don’t see the point in getting halfway through and then throwing all that away.

"I love it here so we will have to see what happens in the summer I suppose. I have got another 18 months left on my contract from now so it’s not really in my hands.

"I don’t know what Wigan’s stance would be, I don’t really know what Hearts’ stance would be. I read an interview with the gaffer where he said it would be something he would revisit in the summer. If that happens, I’m all ears.”

Ideguchi status

Oliver Abildgaard DID leave Celtic but two men many thought would move on this window are still at Parkhead.

James McCarthy is one the outside looking in but at his stage of his career, finding a new club may be easier said than done.

For Ideguchi however, he has been linked with a move back to Japan fairly recently - and such a switch COULD still happen.

In Japan, the winter transfer window runs from January 6 until March 31, unlike just for the month of January for most of continental Europe.

We told you recently that several J League clubs were monitoring Ideguchi's situation in Glasgow.

Neilson for Scotland?

Rangers boss Michael Beale has heaped praise on Hearts counterpart Robbie Neilson tonight ahead of their two sides' meeting at Tynecastle.

Beale is such a fan of Neilson in fact that he reckons he's the perfect man to succeed Steve Clarke in the Scotland national team role.

He said: “Robbie has done a good job both times he has been at Hearts.

“He is probably one the SFA have got eyes on down the road as well.

“He’s getting experience managing in Europe and he has built the strongest squad that Hearts have had in a long time.

“Steve Clarke is doing a great job but I’m sure they are thinking, ‘OK, so who have we got from the next generation?’."

Raskin praise

EXCLUSIVE by Derek McGregor

Michael Beale has been told Nicolas Raskin will dazzle for Rangers — if he’s provided with a midfield BODYGUARD.

Vital Borkelmans is convinced moving to a far bigger club like Rangers will spark the promising Belgium Under-21 ace to reach greater heights but ONLY if he has a minder alongside him in the middle.

Borkelmans told SunSport: “Raskin is a talent who has the ability to play through the lines, to get the better of teams pressing, to make things happen.

“I’ve also spoken to a number of people about him and they tell me he is a good boy, mentally strong and that he has a fighting spirit.

“Marc Wilmots also likes him as a player and that is a big compliment.

“But if I had a concern, it would be trying to make his mark in Scotland without someone I would call a proper No 6.

“Someone to look after him, make sure he has the space to play his best. A team-mate more suited to dealing with the physical side in Scotland.

“Do Rangers have this kind of player? I hope so."

Have your say

Speaking of Aberdeen, here's one for all you Dons fans out there.

And, anyone else who may be interested...

Who should be the next man in charge at Pittodrie?

'Happy to be here'

Anthony Stewart has opened up on his exit from Aberdeen.

Named skipper during his time at Pittodrie, he's now been sent out on loan to MK Dons after a series if sub-par performances that coincided with Jim Goodwin's demise, not to mention his ill-timed comments about Alfredo Morelos ahead of the Viaplay Cup semi-final against Rangers.

Speaking to the MK Dons website, Stewart said: "I'm delighted to be here and I am looking forward to the opportunity to showcase my ability.

"Having played against the Dons in the past, it was an exciting opportunity that I couldn’t miss. I am aware of the situation of the Club and I look forward to bring my experiences to the squad and help them climb back up the table to where they belong.

"When I heard about interest from my agent, it was something I had to reflect on and take into consideration. MK Dons is a big club, with lots of potential and growth, and I look forward to meeting my teammates, the management and more importantly, the fans. I am prepped and geared on for the remaining season.

"I look forward to joining the squad and playing my part to help build the structure within the team and push forward for the rest of the season and continue to climb the table."

Done deal!

Another one to report early doors as Dundee announce the return of Zach Robinson.

The striker originally joined the Dee on loan this summer but was recalled by parent club Wimbledon in January.

However in that time he made just one appearance and he's now been loaned back to Dens, where he had played 19 times and scored eight goals in the first part of the season.

Hammell on Obika

Jonathan gives us a big, physical presence in the final third.

When we found out he was available, we wanted to try hard to get him here and I’m pleased that has been achieved.

With Mikael (Mandron) picking up his injury, we needed a new focal point up top."

Motherwell boss Stevie Hammell on new signing Jonathan Obika

Done deal!

Motherwell aren't done yet with adding players as Jonathan Obika joins the Steelmen.

The former St Mirren striker has arrived on loan until the end of the season from Morecambe.

Duffy deal

Celtic flop Shane Duffy has joined Fulham permanently.

The Republic of Ireland international was at Craven Cottage on a season-long loan from Brighton, but other events on deadline day saw the move turned into a full-time one.

Fulham snapped-up Cedric on loan from Arsenal, but Premier League rules state a club can only have two players on loan from other clubs in the division.

Therefore, Duffy was signed permanently to make space for Cedric's loan arrival.

Duffy, 31, is now under a permanent contract at Fulham until the end of the season.

Giak state of play

More on Giorgos Giakoumakis now who is still likely to seal an exit away from Celtic.

The Greek striker is still officially a Hoops player despite the transfer deadline passing.

TWO major options still remain open for the 28-year old.

Enzo latest

Chelsea agreed a blockbuster £107m deal for Argentina star Enzo Fernandez on Deadline Day.

But the Blues still haven't confirmed the 21-year old's signing.

Benfica confirmed that they'd reached an agreement for the ace's sale to the Premier League earlier in the evening.

Fernandez is understood to have completed a medical and all documents were signed on time - so it's all down to Chelsea to announce the record deal!

Late Dons business

It was all happening late doors at Pittodrie.

Aberdeen captain Anthony Stewart made a dramatic Deadline Day exit, joining MK Dons on loan.

Vicente Besuijen also returned to the Netherlands with Excelsior Rotterdam.

And right on the deadline, the Dons announced the arrival of January signing number six.

Winger Dilan Markanday has headed to the Premiership on loan from Blackburn for the rest of the season.