31 January 2023

Rangers complete signing of Nicolas Raskin from Standard Liege

31 January 2023

Rangers completed the signing of Belgium Under-21 international Nicolas Raskin ahead of the final evening of the transfer window.

The 21-year-old midfielder joined from Standard Liege for an “undisclosed fee on a long-term contract, subject to a work permit being confirmed”.

Raskin told the Rangers website: “I feel very excited to be here and I also feel very proud to join a very big club. I’m looking forward to playing at Ibrox. It was very exciting when I was told of Rangers’ interest because it’s a big club.”

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou earlier ruled out any deadline-day signings, but Oliver Abildgaard was the first of what could be a handful of departures.

South Korea striker Oh Hyeon-gyu was Celtic’s fourth and final purchase of the month and discussions were ongoing over the likely exit of Giorgos Giakoumakis.

“There won’t be any other incomings,” Postecoglou said.

Abildgaard signed for Serie A side Hellas Verona after making nine substitute appearances for the Hoops.

The Celtic manager said: “We have already brought in players to insulate us if guys who have not played a lot of football for us find other opportunities. It has to suit all parties obviously. We will see what happens over the next few hours.

“Anyone who is playing football and has been a meaningful contributor won’t be leaving in this window. Potentially the ones who leave are ones who haven’t had a lot of regular game time. There are four or five in the squad, I am not going to talk about individuals.”

Aberdeen have made two signings, adding 22-year-old Ajax goalkeeper Jay Gorter on loan and 30-year-old defender Angus MacDonald on a deal until the end of the season.

St Mirren have signed 18-year-old Southampton wing-back Thierry Small and look set to add Tony Watt on a loan deal from Dundee United.

Robinson could also strengthen his midfield, with Ethan Erhahon’s move to Lincoln confirmed and 17-year-old playmaker Dylan Reid set for Crystal Palace.

Kilmarnock are looking to add after the exits of Kyle Lafferty and Oli Shaw, the latter joining Barnsley for an undisclosed fee.

Hibernian have signed 21-year-old United States international striker Matthew Hoppe on loan from Middlesbrough.

The former Schalke 04 and Mallorca player, who has eight caps, has moved to Edinburgh for the rest of the season.

Hibs manager Lee Johnson said: “He’s a talented player that can play in all three positions across our front line and someone that joins with good experience being a full US international and that has played regularly in the Bundesliga.”

St Johnstone have landed Dundee striker Zak Rudden on loan and could add more newcomers.

Manager Callum Davidson said: “The chairman has been fantastic, he has backed me to get players, but I will only bring them in to improve the squad. We have had a few knockbacks but we will still be trying to 12 o’clock tonight.

“There possibly could be a couple of players going out. It is important we keep the freshness.”

Ross County signed striker Simon Murray from Queen’s Park while Kazeem Olaigbe has left Dingwall following a loan spell from Southampton.

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson felt it would be difficult to make any late additions.

“I’d like to add one more, but the key thing is they have to be at a level that’s going to improve the squad and are not just coming in as a number,” he said with 12 hours remaining.

Neilson, who would not comment on the chances of an immediate move for Sheffield Wednesday’s Callum Paterson, added: “Unless anyone comes in that’s paying us big money, then nobody will be going anywhere.”

Motherwell have sold defender Sondre Solholm to Odds BK for an undisclosed fee and Connor Shields was loaned to Queen’s Park, while manager Steven Hammell is looking to add to his squad.

“We are hoping to do a little bit of business, maybe some ins and outs,” he said. “It’s always moving. We thought we had something done late on Monday night and then it turns out it’s maybe not. I think we need one or two, I think we need a bit of freshness.”

Dundee United head coach Liam Fox is set to replace Watt but he refused to speculate on what a sell-on fee for Harry Souttar’s prospective £15million move from Stoke to Leicester would mean for him.

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