Polish side Lech Poznań have opened discussions over a potential move for Luis Palma. The Celtic wide man is being targeted in a proposed loan agreement, which would include a purchase clause for the following summer. Palma, 25, last featured on loan at Olympiacos during the second half of the previous campaign.
Celtic Close In on Shin Yamada Signing from Kawasaki Frontale Kawasaki Frontale have confirmed that striker Shin Yamada is leaving the club, with the 21-year-old Japan international set to join Celtic in a deal reportedly worth around £1.5 million. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has also confirmed that Yamada will undergo a medical ahead of completing the transfer, but noted the club are still looking to strengthen their attacking options further before the window closes.
Rangers have completed the signing of Djeidi Gassama for a fee of £2.2 million from Sheffield Wednesday on a four-year deal. The 21-year-old came through the youth ranks at Brest before joining PSG in 2019 where he signed his first professional contract in 2020. Gassama made his debut for PSG in 2022 in a 4-0 league victory over Montpellier, and played alongside Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. The winger has spent the last two seasons at the Owls making 84 appearances and scoring 12 goals. The former France U20’s international won Wednesday’s Wise Old Owl Player of the Year Award last season. Speaking to the Rangers official club website, Gassama said he is excited to get started at the Light Blues: “I am very happy to be here and to join the club. I am very excited to start with my new club, it is a club with a lot of history, and I am very happy. This is a big club, and I need that for my next level and I think it can help me progress.” Russell Martin also told the club website that he believes Gassama is a player that will have the Ibrox faithful on the edge of their seats: “We are very excited to bring Djeidi to the club. He is certainly an exciting player who will get supporters on the edge of their seats, and I believe he will add an extra dimension to our attack with his qualities. He is hungry to improve as a player and, most importantly, is desperate to pull on the Rangers jersey and help deliver success to the club.” Gassama becomes Martin’s sixth summer signing as they prepare for their crucial Champions League second round qualifier against Panathinaikos on July 22nd.
Greenock Morton have made a statement of intent by appointing seasoned tactician Billy Davies as Technical Head Coach, joining forces with manager Dougie Imrie ahead of the new Scottish Championship season. Represented by Superior Sports Management, Davies arrives with an impressive CV spanning Scotland and England. He first made waves as the youngest manager in the SPL at Motherwell, steering them from the bottom of the table to a top-four finish. Billy told SNN Sports: “I’m delighted to be joining Greenock Morton and to have the opportunity to work alongside Dougie Imrie — a highly talented and ambitious young manager. It’s a role I’m genuinely excited about.” His managerial journey also includes notable stints at Preston North End, Derby County, and Nottingham Forest. Most memorably, he masterminded Derby’s promotion to the Premier League in just 11 months, leading a defence that conceded just four goals at home in 23 league matches during that campaign. With seven Championship Manager of the Month awards, Davies ranks among the division’s most successful coaches, just behind the likes of Neil Warnock and Chris Hughton. Davies will take a hands-on role in coaching and player development, aiming to build on the club’s recent progress and push Morton higher up the Scottish Championship table. The appointment fits neatly into an ambitious vision shaped by Imrie and chairman John Laird. Both Davies and Imrie, who share representation through Superior Sports Management, have built a strong working relationship in recent years — one that promises to strengthen Morton’s on-field strategy. Davies confident on the clubs vision & ambition: “After some in-depth discussions with the board — particularly with Chairman John Laird and Dougie — I’m confident in the club’s vision, and I’m proud to be part of their future plans and ambitions.” Further details on his role will be unveiled in due course, but for now, it’s clear Greenock Morton are gearing up for a serious campaign.
Rangers have completed the signing of Nasser Djiga on loan from Wolves until the end of the season. The centre-back joined the Old Gold from Red Star Belgrade for a fee of £10 million earlier this year. The 22-year-old has made 105 professional appearances and six for the Molineux club. Speaking to the Rangers official club website, the Burkina Faso international said that the Light Blues are one of the biggest clubs in Europe and is over the moon to have joined: “I am very happy to join Rangers, it is one of the biggest clubs in Scotland and in Europe. I will try to give everything, to play every game and I think it is the best team for me. I just want to play and enjoy football with the team.” Djiga becomes Russell Martin’s fifth signing and the Rangers boss told the Rangers official club website that his new signing has all the fundamentals to be a success in Scotland: “Nasser is someone who, despite still only being 22, has garnered valuable experience in both the UEFA Champions League and Premier League. “We believe he has all the attributes required to thrive here at Rangers in the upcoming campaign and I am looking forward to working with him.”
Falkirk have had a busy pre-season schedule, three matches to win the Stirlingshire Cup kicked off their preparations before a defeat to Edinburgh City and a duo of 4-2 victories over East Fife and Raith Rovers. They still have one more warm-up bout remaining against St Johnstone, with whom they swapped leagues with last year, before heading into competitive Premier Sports Cup on July 12. Key Signings Strengthen the Squad The Bairns have secured the signing of former Partick Thistle captain and joint-caretaker manager Brian Graham, as well as the loan signing of Lewis Neilson from William Hill Premiership rivals Hearts as John McGlynn keeps the faith with his back-to-back title winning team. The only other addition to the first team squad has been that of goalkeeper Scott Bain from Celtic, a rather unusual addition to the squad as McGlynn’s side possess a very good goalkeeper in former Rangers and Nottingham Forest youth Nicky Hogarth. Preseason Goalkeeper Rotation and Competition During preseason McGlynn has opted to rotate his keepers with Bain and Hogarth each playing in three matches and does not yet appear to have settled on a number one for their return to the top flight of Scottish football. While Hogarth retains the jersey, Bain arrives with a wealth of experience, having picked up 14 honours during his spell as a backup with the Hoops and three Scotland caps, while his goalkeeping rival Hogarth has played over 80 matches these past two seasons helping the Bairns rise from William Hill League 1 to the Premiership. Comparing the Keepers: Bain vs Hogarth Bain brings a calm, authoritative presence to the Falkirk goal, known for his strong command of the penalty area and shot-stopping abilities honed at the highest level of Scottish football. His experience in big-game situations and ability to organize defenders makes him a valuable asset, particularly in tight, high-pressure matches as well as his experience working with some of the nations best defenders. In contrast, Hogarth offers a more agile and reactive style, relying on quick reflexes and sharp decision-making. His ability to distribute the ball effectively with both hands and feet allows Falkirk to launch swift counterattacks, an increasingly important trait in modern football. Hogarth also has more long term benefits as a good season for the side in the top flight could see some big offers arrive for the stopper. What Lies Ahead for Falkirk Between the Sticks? The contrast between Bain’s measured composure and Hogarth’s athleticism gives McGlynn a tactical choice depending on the opposition and match situation. Bain’s veteran experience could prove crucial in cup competitions or matches requiring defensive solidity, while Hogarth’s youth and agility suit the fast-paced demands of league play, especially as Falkirk adapt to the Premiership’s rigours. As the Bairns prepare for their final warm-up against St Johnstone, McGlynn’s decision over the number one goalkeeper remains to be seen. However, with two highly capable custodians in Bain and Hogarth, Falkirk can face the upcoming season with confidence in their last line of defence. In case of emergency Falkirk also have Jamie Sneddon as a reliable third option with over a century of appearances for Partick Thistle, giving the divisions new boys one of the strongest goalkeeping departments in the league.
Russell Martin has made his fourth summer signing as Thelo Aasgaard joins Rangers from Luton Town on a four-year deal for a fee of £3.5 million. The midfielder came through the ranks at Liverpool before making the switch to Wigan Athletic in 2020 where he made 163 appearances scoring 30 goals with 11 assists in five years. The 23-year-old earned his first cap for Norway earlier this year in a 5-0 victory over Moldova and managed to find the back of the net on his debut. Speaking to the official Rangers club website, the Liverpool-born player believed that he would play under the new Rangers boss one day: “I am delighted to be here. I have been waiting for it, but I am glad to get it over the line. “When I heard about Rangers I was over the moon. I have played against the manager’s teams a few times and I always pictured myself in his team and to be here now is really good. “It was an easy decision, I love the number of games here, it is like the EFL and I love playing. The stature and history is enough as well.” Martin so far has signed Max Aarons, Joe Rothwell, Emmanuel Fernandez and now Aasgaard, with more expected to follow into the door at Ibrox.
Rangers have completed the signing of Joe Rothwell on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee from Bournemouth. The 30-year-old was on loan at Leeds United last season, making 36 league appearances, and helped the club win the English Championship. Rothwell played under boss Russell Martin at Southampton where they gained promotion to the Premiership in 2024 through the championship play-offs. The midfielder has also had a successful spell at Blackburn Rovers where he made over 150 appearances in four years. Speaking to the official Rangers club website, the Englishman spoke of delight to have joined the Light Blues and linking up with his former Saints manager: “I am delighted to have the deal done and be here. It is brilliant. The size of the club speaks for itself and as soon as the interest was there it was an immediate yes from me. “With Russell coming in too it made that decision a little bit easier because working with him in the past and I know what type of guy he is and how he wants to do things. That was an even bigger pull for me, but the club speaks for itself.” Martin told the official Rangers club website, that Rothwell’s leadership and qualities as a player were so important in his decision to bring him to the Ibrox club: “He is a player who we thoroughly enjoyed working with during my time at Southampton. “His leadership, professionalism and quality were a huge asset. He is joining on the back of two promotions so helps bring a real winning mentality to the group. “We are excited for Joe to join up the squad, get to know his teammates, and help make the group stronger.”
Greg Taylor leaves Celtic on a free transfer after six years to join greek outfit PAOK. The left-back knocked back the opportunity to stay at the Hoops as game time was likely to be limited due to the return of Kieran Tierney. Taylor joined the Parkhead club from Kilmarnock in 2019 and had a successful spell winning five league titles and 11 trophies in total. The Scottish champions posted a statement on the club website wishing the 27-year-old well and regarded him as a ‘key figure’ over the years. Brendan Rodgers was keen on keeping the Scotland international and believed Taylor and Tierney could have ‘dovetail perfectly’ together. As Taylor embarks on a new chapter in Greece, Rodgers will no doubt be looking to bring in another left-back to fill the shoes of Taylor.
Scottish League Two side Dumbarton have entered a new era following the takeover by Canadian businessman Mario Lapointe. Today at the Dumbarton Football Stadium, Lapointe met the Scottish media for the first time, offering fans and observers an insightful glimpse into his plans for the club; plans firmly rooted in community values, financial responsibility, and long-term sustainability. A Journey from Canada to Dumbarton Lapointe’s story is a far cry from the typical football club owner narrative. Raised in a working-class family in rural Canada, the son of a mechanic and a cleaner, he made his fortune through hard work and entrepreneurial grit, starting his electronics business in 1996. His path to football ownership was shaped by a deep connection to Scotland, a passion for the sport, and a desire to invest in a club with genuine heritage and community spirit. Lapointe explained: “I looked at teams in Italy, Spain, Portugal, England, Scotland, and Ireland. “But what really struck me about Scotland, and Dumbarton in particular, is the passion, the community. Y “You see people here with six generations of family loyalty. That’s what I wanted to be part of.” Resilience and Community Lapointe praised Dumbarton’s resilience, noting the club’s rollercoaster history of ups and downs. But through every challenge, the community has remained its backbone. He said: “Dumbarton is not just a football club, it’s a family, a heritage, a legacy. “That’s why I kept coming back. This club has real value beyond just what happens on the pitch.” His vision focuses on preserving and enhancing that community connection while pushing the club forward in a sustainable way. Financial Matters Unlike some football investors who splash cash without long-term planning, Lapointe stressed his approach is both modest and measured. “I’m not looking to spend millions I don’t have. Before taking over, the club’s losses were around £200,000 a year.” His financial model is clear: “Cup money plus league money plus sponsors equals wages.” Without strong sponsor backing and a solid fan base, ambitions to climb the leagues won’t be realistic. He’s already impressed with the club’s strong base of around 420 season ticket holders, and he’s actively working to grow this number, launching initiatives like the ‘Pass It Along’ campaign, which has seen nearly 200 season tickets donated for youngsters by fans in Canada, the US, and even Laos. “That’s nearly 25% of season ticket holders buying extra tickets for kids,” Lapointe noted. “It’s about seeding a new generation of supporters.” More Than Just Football One of Lapointe’s key ambitions is to turn Dumbarton’s stadium into a community hub. With plans to host open mic nights, comedy, music events, weddings, and other non-football activities, the stadium will become a year-round destination. He said: “You can’t just rely on matchdays. The stadium needs to have life six or seven days a week. “That creates value for sponsors, brings in new revenue streams, and connects the club more deeply to the local community.” He also highlighted plans to install a new artificial turf pitch, which will increase the stadium’s usability and allow the club’s youth teams, women’s teams and unconnected local sides to use the ground on non-matchdays. Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunity Lapointe is realistic about the challenges ahead. The club must boost attendance, currently averaging around 600, representing just 3% of Dumbarton’s population. But his message to supporters is one of hope and action. He said: “Some people will jump on the train and help drive this forward. Others will stay behind. But this club is moving, with or without the dead weight.” This is a call for everyone in the Dumbarton community to get involved, support the club, and be part of a shared story of resilience, legacy, and progress. As the man himself said the club are only competing with their selves and growing a fanbase within their own community and area: “We’re not here to compete with Celtic and Rangers. “It’s not about that. We’re trying to compete with community, If you don’t seed, don’t expect to harvest anything.” Will he be a success, or the next in a line of foreign owners to not fully understand the strange world of Scottish football, the days are early, but the words are right from the self-described “crazy French-Canadian.”
