Transfer business done with business end of the Premiership season on the horizon
2025-02-04
Category: sports

Deadline day proved a bit of a let down for many fans but a number of clubs will feel they've strengthened over the course of this transfer window, if not all.Celtic's transfer activity was always going to be scrutinised after the departure of Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes. The return of Jota is not like-for-like but clearly, if he hits anywhere near the form of his first spell, then the club has added real quality - a considerable upgrade on the departed Luis Palma who left for Olympiacos on loan.However, manager Brendan Rodgers made it clear  he wanted to come out of this window stronger. Jeffrey Schlupp's loan move from Crystal Palace offers top-level experience and depth after Alex Valle's departure but Celtic supporters, and perhaps their manager, expected more.There's no doubt they tried to bring in a striker. Fans are questioning why Kyogo was allowed to go if no direct recruit was set in stone? The trade-off may have been that the move was key to Jota returning.They're now left with a recently resurgent Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda as back up plus Johnny Kenny and Daniel Cummings, who seems intent on leaving.With just 14 league games left and a sizable lead, a blockbuster Bayern Munich double-header and the remainder of the Scottish Cup, perhaps there's a reluctant acceptance that they have enough having seen options shut down. Kieran Tierney will arrive and no doubt a striker will be priority in the summer. It'll be interesting to see the reaction of Rodgers, never mind fans in the coming days.
Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart made it clear there would only be one or two incomings in this window and was true to his word. That despite reaching the last 16 of the Europa League. Lyall Cameron won't arrive until the summer and the model of bringing in prospects to develop continued with Rafael Fernandes signed earlier in the window.One or two high earners have departed, which was necessary, plus Zak Lovelace who had just begun to break into the first team picture.More than a little underwhelming for Rangers fans but not unexpected. Some young players may get their chance to stake a claim before the summer.
Retaining Sam Dalby until the end of the season was the central goal for Dundee United. The addition of Allan Campbell brings midfield strength and, with United in third position in the table, they'll feel equipped to deliver at least a top-six place although a number of sides lie in wait if there's a significant downturn in form.Supporters must be delighted with the position they're in and the overall recruitment since the summer, which has proved shrewd on their return to the top flight.
Aberdeen fans can't say their manager hasn't been backed in this window. Six new faces have arrived offering the potential of defensive strength and more threat up top. They need those elements to come together fast or risk sliding down the table. Incredibly, early season strugglers Hibernian are now hot on their heels with other clubs not far off.Deadline-day singing Oday Dabbagh will be relied upon to bring much-needed goals. The departure of Luis 'Duk' Lopes to Leganes is probably best for all concerned as his impact had long diminished. A crucial period ahead with a heavy reliance on recruits to come good.
On the early evidence, Hearts have pulled off a master stroke in bringing in striker Elton Kabangu. The fact that they have an obligation to buy in the summer would seem brilliant business, so long as he sustains this kind of form.Five goals in three starts is exactly the sort of impact clubs seek from January recruits and that will give the Tynecastle side huge confidence as they look to continue their rise up the table.Neil Critchley has been backed with a number of signings and it seems the influence of Tony Bloom's data analytics is paying off already.
Sometimes a successful window comes from holding on to your prize asset. Motherwell did that in keeping the injured Lennon Miller, despite interest.The Fir Park club were active, bringing in three goalkeepers and a striker in Luke Armstrong who is already off the mark. Their issue is the recruitment of a new manager to replace Stuart Kettlewell. Whoever that is needs to gel new faces and hit the ground running.
All change in Perth as wins have started to arrive and a massive eight new faces to bolster their chances of escaping relegation. Suddenly, they have a fighting chance.Manager Simo Valakari has been backed and if new recruits are more suited to his style of play, then St Johnstone fans might look back on this window as a pivotal period in the club's recent history.Elsewhere, Hibernian were more focussed on reducing a bloated squad. Fans will be far more accepting of that, given their upturn in form. The trio of St Mirren, Kilmarnock and Dundee will all likely be looking over their shoulder to an extent.All three added to their squad, as did 11th-placed Ross County earlier in the window. They remain in that danger zone, where a couple of wins relieves all sorts of pressure but a poor spell might be highly damaging.All will rely on some impact from new faces as we enter the business end of the season, with transfer business now done.