Rangers close to signing Makhanya; Kasper Høgh passes exams and must
According to Bbc.
Why this matters
Rangers' signing of Olwethu Makhanya could have a significant impact on the team's defence, especially with Derek McInnes' new approach. The addition of Høgh to Celtic is also crucial, as the Danish striker can reinforce the team's attack, as it seeks to maintain its prominent position in the Scottish Premiership. These market movements reflect the intense competition between the main Scottish clubs in the search for success in the league and European competitions.
Main conclusions
- Rangers close to signing Makhanya; Kasper Høgh passes exams and should.
- Busy market in Scotland: Rangers close to Makhanya and Celtic prepare to announce Kasper Høgh.
- Rangers close to deal for Olwethu Makhanya as Kasper Hogh passes Celtic medical - Scottish gossip - BBC Sport.
The Scottish market is experiencing intense days. Rangers are very close to securing the signing of 22-year-old South African defender Olwethu Makhanya, currently at Philadelphia Union. According to information collected, the deal could be worth around 5 million pounds, although there is a possibility that it could close for a value close to 3 million pounds, which keeps the dossier open regarding the final numbers.
Still at Ibrox, Mohamed Diomande, 24 years old, remains completely determined to assert himself in the new Rangers cycle under the command of Derek McInnes, despite the greater competition in midfield. The Ivorian, who knows the context of the Scottish league well, admits he feels more comfortable playing alongside his new teammate Cammy Devlin, 28, than facing the former Hearts midfielder, highlighting the importance of complementarity in the midfield of the Glasgow Blues.
In Edinburgh, Sturm Graz prepares for the second leg of the second qualifying round of the Champions League against Hearts with a 4-0 lead from Austria. Coach Fabio Ingolitsch foresees up to five changes to the Scottish eleven for Tuesday's duel at Tynecastle, in a scenario in which Steven Naismith's team will have to look for an epic turnaround to keep their European dream alive.
On Celtic's side, Kasper Høgh, 25-year-old Danish striker from Bodø/Glimt, underwent medical examinations in London on Monday night and is very close to becoming an official reinforcement. Former Hoops player Vidar Riseth believes Høgh is worth almost double the £11 million the Scottish champions will be ready to pay the Norwegian club, reinforcing expectations surrounding the striker's impact at Parkhead.
Dundee United is also moving: the Tangerines are preparing the arrival of midfielder Abdoulaye Yoro, 19 years old, from Basaksehir. Philippe Ndinga, a 21-year-old left-back also linked to the Philadelphia Union, is expected to head to Zulte Waregem, thus preferring Belgium to the Tannadice project.
In Europe, Hibernian were defeated (2-0) on their visit to Malisheva, in Kosovo, in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the Conference League. The Kosovar coach, Thomas Brdaric, considered that the Edinburgh team did not prepare properly for a hybrid pitch, highlighting one of the factors that, in his opinion, will have had a bearing on the outcome of the match.
In Aberdeen, Stephen Robinson was satisfied with the summer's recruitment and hopes to stabilize up to nine players as first choices in the eleven, seeking to give competitive coherence to a squad that has suffered several changes in recent weeks.
Outside the field, there is relevant regulatory news: the VAR in Scotland will now be able to intervene to correct second yellow cards shown incorrectly, following the adoption of guidelines introduced at the last World Cup. The protocol update aims to reduce errors with a direct impact on the competitive integrity of games, expanding the range of situations subject to review and getting closer to best international practices.
With Rangers finalizing details for Makhanya, Celtic close to announcing Høgh and several European fronts in contention for the Scottish clubs, the pace of the closed season in Scotland promises to remain high in the coming days.
What happens next
With Rangers one step away from securing Makhanya, the expectation is that the club will finalize the transfer soon, which could change the dynamics of the defense. At Celtic, Høgh's official status should occur quickly, allowing the player to join the squad before the start of the new season. Furthermore, Hearts face a crucial challenge in the Champions League, where they need to reverse a significant deficit to continue in the fight for Champions League Qualification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the status of Olwethu Makhanya's signing at Rangers?
Rangers are very close to securing the signing of South African defender Olwethu Makhanya, with the deal potentially worth between £3m and £5m.
Has Kasper Høgh officially signed for Celtic yet?
Kasper Høgh has undergone medical examinations and is very close to becoming an official signing for Celtic.
How is Hearts' situation in the Champions League?
Hearts face Sturm Graz in the second leg of the Champions League second qualifying round, trailing 4-0.
What is the impact of the signings on the performance of Rangers and Celtic?
The signings of Makhanya and Høgh are expected
able to have a significant impact on teams, with Makhanya strengthening Rangers' defense and Høgh bringing attacking potential to Celtic.
When is Hearts' next Champions League game?
Hearts' next Champions League game is on Tuesday at Tynecastle.