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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

9 free agents Celtic, Rangers and Premiership clubs can STILL recruit from Premier League winner to Scotland hero

The transfer window may have slammed shut after deadline day, but there is still plenty of business on the cards for Scottish Premiership sides after September 1.

The free agent market is packed with talent as clubs look to bolster their ranks for the league campaign ahead, with Hearts, Rangers and Celtic also balancing European football with domestic concerns. That could give Robbie Neilson, Gio van Bronckhorst and Ange Postecoglou an extra incentive to dip into the market and pad out their squads with some bargain deals.

Scottish football has a history of high-profile free agents making their way north of the border, with the likes of Freddie Ljungberg and Carlton Cole joining Celtic once the summer window had closed. David Weir has been one of Rangers' recent success stories when it comes to landing a cut-price deal, so could Van Bronckhorst take inspiration from Walter Smith's shrewd transfer business?

There is plenty of word that can still be done by Scottish Premiership. Record Sport takes a look at some of the top free agents that could still be on the agenda.

Robert Snodgrass

Motherwell had been leading the race for the Scotland international, but that interest appears to have cooled with the deal dragging on. Boss Stevie Hammell had spoken to Snodgrass about a move to Fir Park, as he is a free agent after turning down a new deal at Luton Town.

Robert Snodgrass is looking for a club after leaving Luton Town (Getty Images)

However, with the deal remaining unsigned that could open the door for a Scottish Premiership rival to swoop in. The 34-year-old is vastly experienced having spent the majority of his career in the English Premier League.

Zander Clark

The former St Johnstone number one has surprisingly been unable to find a new club before the window slams shut. Dundee United and Aberdeen had previously shown an interest, while clubs south of the border including Stoke City had also taken an admiring glance at the stopper.

(SNS Group)

However, the 30-year-old remains a free agent but is thought to be close to sealing a move to Hearts. Robbie neilson has pounced to try and secure experience, quality back up to Craig Gordon ahead of a hectic domestic and European schedule.

Ross Barkley

Chelsea cut their losses on the 28-year-old after Barkley failed to make his mark during a four-and-a-half spell in in London. Barkley penned a £15million signing from Everton in 2018 but his career has largely stuttered since leaving Goodison Park as one of the Premier League's top prospects.

(PA)

A loan spell at Aston Villa last term failed to kickstart his career, so could a move north of the border do the trick? The England international has reportedly been on the radar for both Celtic and Rangers this summer.

Scott Sinclair

Former Celtic hero made the move to Preston in January 2020 and made 27 appearances in all competitions for the English Championship side last term, but is now on the hunt for a new club. The 33-year-old enjoyed the most trophy-laden spell of his career during his time in Scotland.

(SNS Group)

Sinclair had won nine trophies during his three years at the club as part of the Treble Treble Celtic winning side before trying his luck once again in England. A move to the Scottish Premiership could see the winger find his best form again.

Dylan McGeouch

The former Hibs and Aberdeen star has been without a side since leaving Pittodrie at the end of his contract last season. Since then, the 29-year-old has stated he has been making use of public parks and using his local gym in the Granite City to keep up his fitness as he looks for a new club.

(SNS Group)

The midfielder was used sparingly by Jim Goodwin and Stephen Glass last term having been hampered by injury during Derek McInnes final season as Aberdeen boss. McGeouch will hope a club rolls the dice with the free agent in the coming weeks.

Tom Rogic

The midfielder said farewell to Parkhead at the end of the 2021/22 campaign and is still without a club now the window has closed. The 29-year-old has been warned by Australia boss Graham Arnold that a lack of game time could impact on his hopes of making the Socceroos World Cup squad.

Reports had suggested Rogic had toyed with the option of retirement, while also knocking back offers from Indonesia and Australia. A short-term deal with a Scottish Premiership side could be just what Rogic needs to make his case for a place at Qatar 2022.

Nadir Ciftci

St Johnstone turned to the former Dundee United, Celtic and Motherwell frontman in the January during their fight to avoid Premiership. Callum Davidson was looking for goals, and aiming to get the 30-year-old back to the form he showed during his Tannadice days.

(SNS Group)

However, the move didn't work out for either party with Ciftci failing to find the net before his release. The frontman has become something of a journeyman since leaving Celtic Park, and it wouldn't be surprise to see the free agent pop up in the SPFL once again.

Jason Denayer

Denayer is a free agent having left Lyon at the end of his contract in June. The 27-year-old previously impressed in Scotland during a loan spell at Celtic in 2014/15, and has been a mainstay for the Ligue 1 side and the Belgian national side during his four-year stint in France.

(SNS Group)

The centre-back looks to have no shortage of suitors with Premier League sides Wolves and Fulham, alongside La Liga outfit Valencia, all credited with an interest. However, the door remains open for a move for Denayer as he looks to make Roberto Martinez's World Cup squad.

Diego Costa

The 33-year-old has been without a club since leaving Atletico Mineiro earlier this year and has been linked with a host of clubs, including Wolves, West Ham and even Arsenal at one stage. But could a move to Scotland tempt the Brazilian?

(AFP via Getty Images)

There is little doubt the former Chelsea frontman will command bumper wages, that only Celtic and Rangers could realistically offer. But with Champions League group stage football back in Glasgow, could Ange Postecoglou or Gio van Bronckhorst take a punt on the Premier League winner?

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