Rangers Profit from Antman Transfer as Replacement Search Intensifies

Rangers are poised to bank a sizeable profit on Oliver Antman, with the Finland winger set for a £4.5m move to Anderlecht, according to reports. The Ibrox club signed him for around £3.5m and now stand to clear roughly £1m on the deal, a sharp turnaround in a market where Scottish clubs often find themselves squeezed rather than rewarded.

The fee underlines how quickly Antman’s stock has risen. His pace and direct running lit up spells of last season, and while he never quite became the undisputed star some expected, his impact has been enough to tempt one of Belgium’s biggest clubs into a sizeable outlay.

Rangers, though, have moved quickly to line up a successor. Former loanee Vaclav Cerny is among those on the shortlist to replace Antman, with the Czech winger back on the radar after his previous spell in Glasgow. His name will not be the only one on the list, but it is a telling one: Rangers are clearly looking for a wide player who already understands the demands of the club and the league.

McInnes in the dugout despite ban

Off the pitch, Rangers have another battle on their hands. Manager Derek McInnes has been hit with a four-game touchline ban by the SFA, but the club’s appeal means he will be in the dugout for Friday’s Scottish Premiership opener against Dundee United.

It sets up an intriguing backdrop to the start of the campaign. McInnes, back at Ibrox in one of the most scrutinised jobs in British football, must launch a title challenge while the disciplinary process rumbles on in the background. For now, though, he will be exactly where he wants to be: on the touchline, not in the stand.

Celtic knocked back in Arthur move as Hassan stance hardens

Across the city, Celtic’s defensive plans have hit an early snag. Brentford have rejected a permanent bid for Benjamin Arthur, the defender who spent last season on loan at Parkhead. Celtic had hoped to turn that loan into a long-term stay, but the Premier League club have pushed back, forcing the Scottish champions to reassess their options at the back.

Their pursuit of Haissem Hassan is no simpler. Real Oviedo sporting director David Fernandez has made it clear the winger will only leave on the Spanish club’s terms. That stance stiffens the negotiating ground for Celtic, who see Hassan as a potential attacking addition but now face a firm seller unwilling to be rushed or lowballed.

Rangers widen net for wide options

Rangers’ recruitment team are not stopping at Cerny in their search for attacking width. Coventry City winger Jahnoah Markelo has emerged as a target, with Brighton’s Amario Cozier-Duberry also still firmly on the club’s radar.

It is a clear statement of intent. Antman may be on his way out, but Rangers are determined not to be left short in the wide areas. Markelo offers energy and versatility, while Cozier-Duberry, highly rated at Brighton, brings the kind of technical flair that could light up tight Premiership games. Whether Rangers can prise either away is another matter entirely.

Kilmarnock move for ex-Ranger Yfeko

Elsewhere in the Premiership, Kilmarnock are closing in on a deal for former Rangers defender Johnly Yfeko. The 23-year-old has spent the past two years with Exeter City and is now on the brink of a return to Scottish football.

For Kilmarnock, it is a move that fits their profile: a player with top-flight experience in Scotland, still with room to grow, and with a point to prove after time away from the glare of Ibrox. For Yfeko, it offers another shot at establishing himself in the division.

Eskesen draws interest, Skov Olsen moves on again

Dundee United may also face a decision in midfield. Julius Eskesen is attracting interest from Danish side Esbjerg fB, with the club monitoring the playmaker’s situation. Any move would leave United needing to plug a creative gap, just as they look to build stability for the season ahead.

Another familiar name is on the move too. Andreas Skov Olsen, whose loan spell at Rangers last season never really caught fire, has undergone a medical at Basaksehir ahead of another temporary switch from Wolfsburg. The Danish winger arrived in Glasgow with high expectations but left without ever truly imposing himself. Now he heads to Turkey searching for the form that once marked him out as one of Europe’s bright young wide players.

Chesnokov’s rapid switch

In a twist that underlines how quickly careers can pivot, Islam Chesnokov has already lined up his next move. Just a month after leaving Hearts to join Kazakh side Tobol, he has agreed to join Russian club Krylia Sovetov next year.

For Hearts supporters, it is a reminder of how fleeting modern stints can be. For Chesnokov, it is another sharp turn on a career path that shows no sign of slowing down.

As the window gathers pace, Scotland’s leading clubs are juggling exits, blocked bids and late opportunities. The money from Antman’s sale, the stand-off over Arthur, the hard line on Hassan – all of it feeds into a single question that will define the months ahead: who has judged this market best when the real football starts to bite?