A summer of change across the Scottish Premiership with five new managers in the door across the division, a summer of wheeling and dealing ensued as clubs looked to shape their squads. We review the business of each club and unpack the winners and losers of the window.
Aberdeen – 6/10
Fresh on the back of an impressive Scottish Cup win, Aberdeen’s main priority was to strengthen the side to be capable of competing on all four fronts, as they secured a place in European Football. Jimmy Thelin looked to the Scandinavian market, bringing in Krtjan Mar Kjartansson and Kenan Bilalovic. Alfie Dorrington returned for a season-long loan from Tottenham to bolster the backline, while Kusini Yengi was brought into the club for attacking options. Aberdeen’s window was heavily focused on the forward areas. They sold cup final hero Shayden Morris as well as the club’s talisman, Pape Gueye, which weakened the squad. Their deadline day was the most successful, bringing in Kevin Nisbet and exciting winger Jesper Karlsson. A mixed window for the Dons, as they have brought in a lot of youthful talent, while losing two key players. The addition of Karlsson saved their window from being lacklustre.
Celtic – 3/10
Going into the summer as Champions, it was clear to see Celtic needed attacking reinforcements. Buoyed by the return of Kieran Tierney, it looked like it was going to be an exciting window for the Hoops. Nicolas Kuhn left the club to join Italian side Como, whilst fringe players Palma and Tillio departed alongside him to Poland and Austria. Having sold Kyogo Furahashi in January, a new striker was top of the shopping list; however, this failed to come to fruition. Benjamin Nygren, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Sebastian Toukneti look to have bolstered Celtic out wide; however, their lack of a number nine is an issue. Callum Osmand and Shin Yamada look to be project players, whilst Adam Idah has been sold to Swansea. Kelechi Iheanacho has since been brought in; however, this is outside the window, so it doesn’t count towards their rating. All in all, a poor window for Celtic, where they leave it weaker than when they entered.
Dundee – 5/10
Tony Docherty replaced by Steven Pressley as a summer of change engulfed the Dens Park Side. Losing key players Josh Mulligan, Lyall Cameron and Mo Sylla, it was an important first window for Pressley. Yan Dhanda is their signing of the summer as he looks to rediscover his Ross County form. Paul Digby and Drey Wright look to be a good bit of business. However, it has been a summer of unknown at Dundee. There are a lot of question marks over their signings, with youthful players sprinkled in alongside experienced ones.
Dundee United – 6/10
European Football secured Jim Goodwin set off to strengthen his squad for the European qualifiers, having lost a large number of players. It was an interesting window from the Tanadice side, with a lot of unknowns from across Europe joining the club. Zac Sapsford and Ivan Dolcek look to be the finds for the club, looking very impressive early on. The return of Liverpool loanee Luca Stephenson also boosted Jim Goodwin. There are many unknowns surrounding Dundee United’s transfer window, including the signings of Lucie Lovu, Bert Esselink, and Dario Naamo, to name a few. The Tangerines have expanded their presence in the European market by bringing in ten players from across the continent. The only issue with Jim Goodwin’s business is the number of loans, as they are in key areas of the pitch, although some do have the option to buy.
Falkirk – 4/10
Falkirk, after a long hiatus, returned to the top flight of Scottish football. Their window, however, does not exactly scream we are here to stay. Scott Bain was the marquee signing joining from Celtic following the expiry of his contract. Brian Graham was also brought in; his experience is sure to help the Bairns. Four loan deals Falkirk look set to repay the faith to the players who helped them reach the Premiership. However, it’s been a poor window in which they haven’t strengthened enough to maintain Premiership status.
Hearts – 8/10
Fresh from the investment of Tony Bloom and the addition of Jamestown Analytics, Hearts have had one of the best windows in the league. Alexandros Kyziridis and Claudio Braga have added an exciting option on the wing, with the latter enjoying a great start to life at Tyencastle. Elton Kabangu made his move permanent after spending the latter end of last season on loan. Whilst the club shelled out a club record fee to bring in exciting young midfielder Ageu from Portuguese side Santa Clara. Stuart Findlay was brought in as a favourite of Derek McInnes to tighten up the backline. Hearts also made a healthy profit from the sale of James Penrice, a man they paid nothing for the previous summer. It has been an exciting window for Hearts, the only downside being that their squad does look slightly bulky, as they have failed to ship out some of the deadwood. The likes of Kenneth Vargas remain at the club despite not being in the plans.
Hibernian – 9/10
Hibs, for me, have had the best summer in the Scottish Premiership. Jamie McGrath and Josh Mulligan joined the Leith side on free transfers following the expiration of their contracts elsewhere. The Easter Road side also shelled out a reported one million pounds for striker Thiabult Klidje. Grant Hanley, a seasoned professional, made the move to Scotland after spending the majority of his career in the south. He adds stability to the backline, which, at times last season, looked shaky. Going out the door was Dylan Vente, who left the club after failing to impress in his time in the capital. Whilst Moriah-Welsh and Ekpiteta left to join clubs down south. Excellent business from the Leith side, as their new signings have fitted in seamlessly, and they look to have really strengthened their side as they aim to secure 3rd place. The only downside for Hibs was the failure to re-sign Nector Triantis from Sunderland, who looked an absolute world beater for them last season—a perfect window for the men in green.
Kilmarnock – 5/10
Stuart Kettlewell was the man chosen to replace the outgoing Derek McInnes, and it was an essential first window. Losing Danny Armstrong, Fraser Murray, Bobby Wales, Kyle Vassell, and Joe Wright, the impetus was on to get players in the door quickly. The goalkeeping department at Kilmarnock last season was an issue; however, Max Stryjek and Eddie Beach were brought in to address that. 6ft 7 striker Marcus Dackers joined from Salford, as well as Djenairo Daniels from Cork, to bolster the frontline. The Rugby Park club also pinched Jamie Brandon from Livingston following the expiration of his contract. Corrie Ndaba netted a commendable fee, making the switch to Serie A side Lecce after only a year at the club. All in all, I think Kilmarnock are weaker and their signings are not an upgrade or match the quality of the players they have lost
Livingston – 6/10
David Martindale secured his side’s return to the Premiership at the first attempt and conducted his transfer dealings very quickly. In came Graham Carey, Stevie May, and Shane Blaney. Livingston recruited very well this summer, bringing in players with Premiership experience, including Cammy Kerr and, perhaps their signing of the summer, Mo Sylla. Securing Macaulay Tait and Adam Montgomery on loan deals looks to also be a brilliant bit of business by Martindale. The only downside for them is the signing and subsequent sale of Zak Rudden, a confusing business move. Losing Jamie Brandon and Stephen Kelly are also big misses for the Livingston side.
Motherwell – 7/10
A third manager of 2025 for Motherwell, Jens Berthel Askou, replaced Michael Wimmer in the Fir Park dugout. The big story of the summer was the future of Lennon Miller, who eventually banked the club over four million pounds. They lost Dan Casey on a free as well as Shane Blaney. Motherwell have done some excellent business. The additions of Regan Charles-Cook, Emmanuel Longelo and Elijah Just have added attacking threats. Whilst Elliot Watt and Lukas Fadinger have made the loss of Lennon Miller look minuscule. An excellent window for Motherwell and one in which their fans can be happy with as they look to make a top-six push this season.
Rangers – 6/10
An American Revolution at Ibrox this summer, with Russell Martin as the man to lead it. Oscar Cortes, Ben Davies, Jose Ciuefentes and Ross McCausland all departed on loan as they looked to shift some of the deadwood from the squad. Hamza Igamane banked ten million as he headed off to France, whilst top goalscorer Cyriel Dessers departed to Greece, joining Panathinaikos. Jefte and Ridvan Yilmaz departed, leaving Rangers exposed at left back; they were replaced by Jayden Meghoma. In the door came Joe Rothwell and Max Aarons from Bournemouth, the latter on a loan deal. Mikey Moore, Djeidi Gassama and Oliver Antman were brought in to give Rangers attacking options out wide. The biggest outlay of the summer was a ten-million-pound move for striker Youssef Chermiti from Everton. A decent first window for Russell Martin, however, three of the back four on loan deals do leave them in a situation next summer. Whilst the signings so far have failed to impress, the exception being Gassama.
St Mirren- 7/10
Stephen Robinson and good transfer windows go hand in hand. Losing two key players in Caolan Boyd-Munce and Richard Taylor, the Buddies were out to strengthen as they push for a top-six finish for a fourth year running. Roland Idowu and Killian Phillips turned their loans into permanent deals after impressing last season. Whilst the usual project players we have become accustomed to seeing in Paisley were brought in, the Jamaican side Cavalier raided for Richard King and Jalmaro Calvin. Jayden Richardson, Tunmise Sobowale, Malik Djiksteel,Shamal George,Liam Donnelly,Miguel Freckleton and Ryan Mullen also came into the club. The biggest signing of the summer was the return of Keanu Baccus, who returned after only a year away. Deadline day for the Saints saw Oisin Smyth leave for Partick Thistle for the season, and Stephen Robinson got his wish of a pacy forward as Dan Nlundulu joined from Bolton Wanderers. A good window for St Mirren, who are at the start of another process. They have blended youth with experience and will look to push for the top six again
The major winners of the transfer window are the two Edinburgh sides, who have done the best business with some shrewd acquisitions. Both sides will be hunting for that elusive 3rd place finish that would guarantee European football. Motherwell and St Mirren have also looked to have done excellent business. The losers in the window look to be Celtic and Falkirk; neither side has made major signings, and it could be argued that Celtic has weakened. Kilmarnock have also not done great business and look like a weaker side than last season
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