Celtic-linked player agrees to join Rangers instead

Celtic have been linked with a wide number of players in recent times which is understandable considering the fact that there are multiple positions that they needed to strengthen in in this January transfer window and arguably still do despite signing Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi and Johnny Kenny this month. One area Ange Postecoglou’s side have not brought anyone in is centre-back.

Cameron Carter-Vickers is the only one who has impressed there and he is only on loan from Tottenham Hotspur at the moment. Carl Starfelt’s recent displays have been worrying while Stephen Welsh does not look ready to start regularly yet.

The return of Christopher Jullien to training is a massive boost in that regard although after spending over a year out of action, it will be interesting to see how the Frenchman does when he is back on the pitch.

One player that Celtic had been linked with in recent months is John Souttar, who has impressed for both Hearts and the Scotland national team this season. But the Rangers’ official website announced today that the defender has signed a pre-contract agreement with them.

Celtic-linked Souttar agrees to join Rangers

This will be a massive boost for the Rangers, who do not seem to be in a position to splash out on transfers at this point of time. They will be getting a solid defender as a free agent.

But then, Celtic have time on their hands to strengthen at the back themselves. At first, it will be interesting to see how Jullien does.

On top of his game, he is one of the best in the Premiership but after such a long time out of action, it might take him a while to rediscover that kind of form. If he doesn’t, the Hoops would be expected to go out and sign somebody next summer. Rumours have also suggested that Celtic might be getting closer to a permanent move for Carter-Vickers, which would be a massive coup for the club.