Scottish Premiership Transfer Round Up:
With the hectic summer transfer window now closed, we turn our attention to the rest of the season as clubs have to make do with the business they have concluded until the January transfer window opens. This begs the question of just how well the Premiership clubs have performed off the field during the close season in terms of acquisitions and whether or not it will stand them in good stead for the rest of the season.
Aberdeen
Notable INS: Jayden Stockley, Wes Burns, Miles Storey, Joe Lewis, Anthony O’Connor
Notable OUTS: Willo Flood, David Goodwillie, Barry Robson, Scott Brown
In terms of signings, Aberdeen have bolstered their squad for the season ahead with a number of new additions. Derek McInnes has improved the depth of his squad in attack and in goal, but central defence and creativity in central midfield remain a concern if they are to mount a challenge for the title or even hang on to the runners-up spot for a third successive year.
Celtic
Notable INS: Moussa Dembele, Kolo Toure, Cristian Gamboa, Scott Sinclair, Dorus De Vries
Notable OUTS: Stefan Johansen, Carlton Cole, Anthony Stokes, Colin Kazim Richards, Scott Allan, Saidy Janko
With the appointment of a high profile manager such as Brendan Rodgers, it was only natural to assume a marked improvement in the quality of player that Celtic would attract to the club. The high profile additions of Scott Sinclair and Kolo Toure already look to be superb signings- bringing a class and quality to the team in preparation for the Champions League and Title campaigns. Celtic’s defence creaked last season under the rigours of European competition and a series of injury problems, so the addition of the reliable Toure will prove to be a pivotal signing.
Rodgers has also been impressive in the way that he has insisted on quality and if you are not good enough then you will be sold. With Colin Kazim-Richards and Carlton Cole being shipped out after a disastrous few months in Glasgow and fellow striker Anthony Stokes’ failure to secure a new deal, a strike partner for Leigh Griffiths was a must for Brendan Rodgers. Snatching Moussa Dembele after his exit from Fulham appears to be a shrewd piece of business considering his 17 goals in the English Championship last season at the age of 19.
Dundee
Notable INS: Faissal El Bakhtaoui, James Vincent, Mark O Hara, Danny Williams
Notable OUTS: Kane Hemmings, Greg Stewart, Paul Mcginn, Gary Harkins
Although Dundee manager Paul Hartley has added to his squad in all areas except from goalkeeper, I feel that it has been a disappointing transfer window for Dundee. Last season, Kane Hemmings scored 21 goals in the league and forged a prolific partnership with Greg Stewart. Losing both these players will be a massive lose for the club in their efforts to challenge again for a top six finish. However, persuading winger Danny Williams, along with fellow midfielder James Vincent, to make the switch from Premiership rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle and adding Michael Duffy on loan from Celtic could provide the width to their attack that Dundee lacked last season.
Hamilton
Notable INS: Massimo Donati, Georgies Sarris, Remi Matthews, Danny Seabourne, Jack Breslin, Jordan McGregor, Sean McKirdy, Rakish Bingham
Notable OUTS: Ziggy Gordon, Micheal McGovern
Like Dundee, Hamilton have lost some vital players that could result in them having a difficult season. The loss of McGovern seemed inevitable after an impressive European Championships but the addition of Remi Matthews looks to be a solid replacement for him. However, possibly the biggest loss for Hamilton was captain Ziggy Gordon moving to join Premiership rivals Patrick Thistle. Gordon’s experience will undoubtedly be missed, but the blow has been softened by the arrival of ex Celtic and AC Milan midfielder Massimo Donati. His quality and experience has already been visible in the heart of the midfield and should prove a shrewd piece of business both on and off the pitch. Martin Canning had a hard act to follow in Alex Neil and the player/boss has still to fully convince the Accies faithful. This season is a also a big test for new signings Seabourne and Sarris and Accies fans will be hoping that both hit the ground running otherwise their team could become embroiled in a relegation battle.
Heart of Midlothian
Notable INS: Tony Watt, Connor Sammon, Viktor Noring, Faycal Rherras, Bjorn Johnsen, Robbie Muirhead, Paul Gallacher & Krystian Nowak
Notable OUTS: Juanma, Neil Alexander, Blazej Augustyn, Morgaro Gomis, Billy King & Jordan McGhee
Head coach Robbie Neilson and Director of Football Craig Levein have added depth over the summer with a number of excellent signings for a club with a modest budget. Having cashed in on their main striker Juanma, they have brought in four new attacking options in Connor Sammon; Tony Watt; Robbie Muirhead and Nikolay Todorov. The new recruits should guarantee goals in the Premiership as Hearts aim to emulate last season’s success. The addition of Rherras will prove to be smart business as he has already impressed in the left-back role with Juwon Oshaniwa having failed to live up to his reputation as a Nigeria international.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Notable INS: Kevin McNaughton, Billy King, Larnell Cole, Lonsana Doumbouya, Brad McKay, Scott Boden and Jake Mulraney
Notable OUTS: Danny Devine, Danny Williams, James Vincent, Dean Brill, Nat Wedderburn, Jordan Roberts, Calum Ferguson, Liam Hughes, Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo, Calum Howarth, Ryan Williams, Miles Storey, Jamie Insall & Jason Brown
I worry for Inverness this season. Not only have they lost a proven Premiership manager in John Hughes, but they have also lost a number of key players. With Miles Storey having preferred to join Aberdeen from Swindon Town after his loan spell at Caledonian Stadium, Richie Foran managed to persuade Scott Boden to reject a new deal at Newport County, where he scored 15 times last season, and will hope the 26-year-old can make the step up from England’s League Two to Scotland’s top flight. Moreover, McNaughton will add a touch of experience to the back line having played in the Championship for a number of years in England as Inverness aim to match the 7th place finish last season.
Kilmarnock
Notable INS: Souleymane Coulibaly, Jonathan Burn, Jordan Jones, Scott Boyd, Luke Hendrie, Charlee Adams, William Boyle, Flo Bojaj, George Green, Mark Waddington, Oliver Davies, Jamie Cobain & Josh Webb
Notable OUTS: Josh Magennis, Tope Obadeyi, Julien Faubert, Jamie Hamill, Chris Johnstone, Lee Ashcroft, Mark O’Hara, Conrad Balatoni, Craig Slater & Mark Connolly
A mass reshuffle has taken place this summer at Kilmarnock with Lee Clarke clearly trying to put his own stamp on the team after a near relegation last season. Having retained an experienced spine to his squad, Lee Clark has taken a gamble by recruiting 11 players of 23 or under to make up the rest of his squad. They all come from the fringes of English clubs, with the most well known to Scottish fans being former Scotland Under-21 midfielder Callum McFadzean, who had fallen out of favour at Sheffield United.
The sale of Magennis will be a tough one to replace for Kilmarnock as he was clearly the star man for a poor Kilmarnock side last season. However, Kilmarnock have retained Kris Boyd and will be hoping that he can produce the goals alongside new recruit Souleymane Coulibaly, who signed for Tottenham Hotspur after starring for Ivory Coast at the Under-17 World Cup.
Motherwell
Notable INS: Dean Brill, Jacob Blyth, Ben Hennegan, Luka Belic, Craig Clay & Richard Tait
Notable OUTS: Marvin Johnson, Stephen Pearson, Ben Hall, Wes Fletcher & Josh Law
Motherwell will miss the influence and experience of Stephen Pearson in midfield, but Mark McGhee, now with former Scotland forward James McFadden as his assistant, has managed to keep together most of the side that did so well to finish in the top six last season and has imported some added potential from English football. With a good manager and talented players at their disposal, the addition of Ben Heneghan was a real coup for the club given that he had attracted interest from Burnley, Hull City, Blackburn Rovers and Brighton after impressing with Chester in England’s National League. With David Clarkson and Wes Fletcher exiting Fir Park, the club moved to secure the services of Jacob Blyth to help lead the line this season. The striker joined Leicester City at the same time as Jamie Vardy and Mark McGhee will hope that tips from the England international will help Blyth make an impact in Scotland’s top flight.
Partick Thistle
Notable INS: Ziggy Gordon, Ade Azeez, Danny Devine, David Syme
Notable OUTS: Matthias Pogba, Danny Seaborne, Frederick Frans
A good defensive record kept Thistle in the league last season and they have continued to strengthen in this area of the pitch with a number of key new signings. Frederic Frans, Danny Seaborne and Gary Miller all rejected new contracts at Firhill, leaving manager Alan Archibald seeking a new central defence. The acquisition of Hamilton captain Ziggy Gordon appears to be the most astute signing along with Devine and Syme to provide a layer of quality and depth to what was already a very good Premiership defence. The loss of Matthias Pogba shouldn’t really deflate fans as the signing of Azeez is the one to keep an eye on for the coming season. Ade Azeez won the play-off penalty that helped Wimbledon win promotion to England’s League One but rejected a a new contract to join Thistle. Despite interest from elsewhere, Alan Archibald managed to keep a hold of key midfield trio Stuart Bannigan, Steven Lawless and Abdul Osman and that could go a long way to helping Thistle again avoid relegation trouble.
Rangers FC
Notable INS: Joey Barton, Niko Kranjcar, Jordan Rossiter, Clint Hill, Joe Garner, Joe Dodoo, Phillipe Senderos, Josh Windass
Notable OUTS: Nicky Law, David Templeton, Dean Shiels, Nicky Clark & Cammy Bell
In terms of depth and experience this window, then look no further than Rangers. Warburton has sought to completely reshape his midfield and, while Jordan Rossiter, who was highly rated at Liverpool, could be the most exciting addition in the long run, Joey Barton, fresh from leading Burnley to the Championship title in England, is the man they will look to for extra bite, presence and leadership. Mark Warburton’s side brushed aside the predicted threat of Hibernian in last season’s Championship, but knew they would have to strengthen considerably across all areas of the pitch if they were to compete this season in the Premiership. The additions of Garrner and Dodoo in the attacking areas look to be worthwhile additions and should add quality and depth to the team in the final third. However, Rangers were vulnerable at times in central defence last season and manager Mark Warburton has recruited Clint Hill and Phillipe Senderos in efforts to shore up his backline. With four games played, Rangers have had a mixed start to the season with two wins and two draws.
Ross County
Notable INS: Christopher Routis, Tim Chow, Erik Cikos, Jay McEveley & Kenny van der Weg
Notable OUTS: Brian Graham, Jackson Irvine, Richard Foster, Scott Boyd, Stewart Murdoch
Following on from a good domestic season last year in the league and cup competitions, County seem to have felt the wrath of their big players being in high demand. The loss of big players such as Brian Graham and Jackson Irvine will be difficult for County to overcome this season as both were a driving influence in their success last year. Jim McIntyre targeted his back line for improvement this season, with four of his first five signings being defenders. County have also managed to retain the services of prolific goalscorer Liam Boyce in a move which could play a key part in determining where County will finish this season.
St Johnstone
Notable INS: Paul Paton, Joe Gormley, Richard Foster, Blair Alston & Keith Watson
Notable OUTS: Brad Mackay, John Sutton, Simon Lappin & Michael Doyle
A solid season last year for St Johnstone and I can only predict the same for them this time around. While Paul Paton, the new arrival from Dundee United, is much admired for his graft and leadership, it is the signing of Blair Alston from Falkirk that could give a new element of creativity and vigour to an often staid midfield. The signing of Gormley from Peterborough on loan could also prove to be a shrewd piece of business as he has a proven track record of scoring goals with Cliftonville and replacing an ageing John Sutton is good business. St Johnstone have added some quality signings that will give them a chance of a sixth consecutive top-six finish.
Blog by Sam Stewart for 360 Sports Consultancy