The weather outside is frightful but Scottish Premiership clubs are hoping that the January transfer window brings joy oh so delightful.
It's almost shopping season for the top flight and the rest of the SPFL and some will be hoping that it provides the boost needed to ignite their campaigns. Celtic have already announced the signing of two players in Alistair Johnston and Yuki Kobayashi while Rangers have decisions to make on Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos, who will enter the final six months of their contracts.
Ryan Porteous will no doubt spark a transfer chase after his announcement he's leaving Hibs and Hearts are also on the trail of new recruits, with Aberdeen no doubt keen to strengthen too. All 12 in the division will have ideal targets, nice bonuses and worst case scenarios in their heads, so Record Sport takes a look at what those may look like.
Aberdeen
What they really want
A creative midfielder. Ylber Ramadani has proved a fine addition since arriving in the summer while Connor Barron keeps improving. Leighton Clarkson’s habit of scoring stunning goals has been more than welcome, but another option in the engine room seems to be top of Jim Goodwin’s list this Christmas.
He refused to deny links to Angolam Benedito Mambuene Makendi. Connor Ronan could be another target. The former St Mirren loan star will be allowed to leave Wolves on loan in January and Goodwin’s desire to work with the irishman again in the north east is well documented.
Stocking filler
A new right back isn’t a priority, but interest in Tranmere Rovers’ Josh Dacres-Cogley suggests it’s an area that will be added to at some point. A pre-contract is more likely for the defender, but if a deal can be done in January, don’t rule it out.
What they don't want
The Dons are well covered between the sticks. Kelle Ross has made the gloves his own, while Joe Lewis is a solid, experienced back-up.
Up front, everything is good as well. Bojan Miovski is the league’s joint-top scorer, while Duk is really coming on to a game after adapting to Scottish football. If anything, getting Christian Ramirez out the door will be the main order of business at that end of the pitch.
Celtic
What they really want
With two signings already in the door, it looks like Postecoglou is perhaps already covered for potential losses. Alistair Johnston is in at right-back while Yuki Kobayashi is in at centre-back.
One area that perhaps could do with some slight bolstering is an out and out striker. Kyogo and Giorgos Giakoumakis seem to be the go-to guys with Daizen Maeda preferred on the flanks, so that may be on area.
It's been Kyogo who has been looked to as the starting forward since the resumption of the Premiership but another body there could provide extra competition, with South Korean Cho Gue-Sung prominently linked.
Stocking filler
A defensive midfielder would be a nice bonus but it's not a necessity for Celtic in this window.
Callum McGregor is now back in the mix and Matt O'Riley plus Reo Hatate have proven durable figures in the engine room amid a demanding run of matches Factor in David Turnbull, Aaron Mooy and Oliver Abildgaard, they are well stocked in that department. But an extra anchor with physical presence would add a different dimension and wouldn't be the worst added surprised.
What they don't want
Player exit murmurings are rife. They will be keen to keep this group together until the summer at least.
Money will obviously dictate things there but you'd expect a bidding war to commence on Josip Juranovic at some stage. Then there's rumours of reliable defensive deputy Stephen Welsh perhaps attracting interest.
Giakoumakis contract negotiations have seemingly stalled and Liel Abada is the next to attract attention if the rumour mill is to be believed. So keeping such players like the quartet is no doubt near the top of their objectives.
Dundee United
What they really want
Aside from getting off the bottom of the league, a new keeper. Like St Johnstone, losing their first choice from last season hasn’t been an easy fix. Australian Mark Birighitti is no Benjamin Siegrist, with a handful of bad errors so far in his United career.
Carljohan Eriksson is second choice. However, if Liam Fox can find an upgrade in goals, plenty of United fans would like to see him sign one.
Midfielders who are nice on the ball, they have. A more combative one, especially in Calum Butcher’s absence, is needed.
Stocking filler
Jamie McGrath on a permanent deal would be good. He's on loan until the end of the season from Wigan and has made a difference since arriving at Tannadice.
He has 18 months left on his Latics deal. However, he seems out of the picture there and a permanent switch back to United would be welcomed by the club, but the player will likely want to know what level they’ll be playing at next season before committing to anything like that. Extra cover at centre back wouldn’t go amiss either.
What they don't want
A new left back, because that would mean Aziz Behich has left. The Aussie was impressive for the Socceroos during the World Cup and has fitted in very well on Tayside since his summer signing.
United have Scott McMann to step in when needed. They also have security in that Behich’s contract isn’t up until 2024 so hold the cards when it comes to any offers that are made. But keeping him will be the main thing.
Hearts
What they really want
Strikers and forwards. Lawrence Shankland is well and truly on the goal trail, but back up to the Scotland international is thin on the ground. Liam Boyce has signed a new deal but is still out injured, as is loan signing Stephen Humphrys.
Josh Ginnelly can deputise, but Robbie Neilson has Japanese forward Yutaro Oda in his sights. A deal is thought to be close for the Vissel Kobe man, pending work permit red tape.
Stocking filler
Callum Paterson. Neilson confirmed his interest in bringing the Tynecastle academy graduate back to Gorgie. He’s out of contract at Sheffield Wednesday in the summer and a January switch could happen.
Where Paterson fits in isn’t all that obvious. His versatility would prove useful in a number of positions however and would add further depth and variety to Neilson's squad.
What they don't want
Much like Aberdeen, goalkeeper isn’t an area that requires attention. In terms of depth, hearts are arguably the strongest between the sticks of all the top flight clubs, alongside Celtic. Craig Gordon is showing no signs of slowing down, keeping Zander Clark out of the team as he patiently waits to make his competitive debut for the Jambos.
Hibernian
What they really want
Central midfield has been an issue for Hibs for a while now. Lee Johnson lacks attacking flair and creativity in the middle of the park, with Joe Newell, Josh Campbell and Kyle Magennis not too dissimilar to each other, while Nohan Kenneh is a destroyer.
Plans to use Aiden McGeady as a number 10 were scuppered when the former Celtic man was ruled out with a long-term injury. He’s back fit, but at 36 isn’t a long-term option.
Stocking filler
Kevin Nisbet’s return to action was welcome and helps things a bit. But with Momodou Bojang thought to be on his way out next month and Elie Youan failing to make much of an impact, the need for bodies up front could become more pressing. Christian Doidge is on loan at Kilmarnock for the season and Martin Boyle won’t play against this campaign after knee surgery.
At the other end of the park, Ryan Porteous will leave either next month or in the summer. That means another central defender will come in one way or another, it just depends w
What they don't want
Hard to say. David Marshall is one of the few who is clearly a first pick in his position, but of course won’t go on forever. In terms of midfield workers and runners, Hibs are well stocked - it’s just a different type of midfielder they need.
Kilmarnock
What they really want
Another forward option. Dan Armstrong has impressed with five league goals but Kyle Lafferty is the only player outside their defence to have netted at all this Premiership season.
For a team wanting to survive in the top flight, that has to change. There's an abundance of options there when you add Scott Robinson into the mix, but none of them have got firing, so some back-up is required
Stocking filler
Pace, and plenty of it. They have a similar problem to Motherwell in that while they do have some nice footballers, they have very few who can break the lines or go in behind.
Jordan Jones hasn't shown enough of it since his return to Ayrshire. Armstrong can only do so much so an added injection of that key ingredient wouldn't go amiss.
What they don't want
Defensive midfielders. Liam Donnelly, Kerr McInroy and Alan Power can fill that role while Brad Lyons is a box-to-box player.
There's a theme running here no doubt. But Killie's team certainly appears to have defensive nous with little to support it going the other way, but taking that into account, they don't need any more defensive midfield options this term.
Livingston
What they really want
Not much, it seems. Davie Martindale insists he’d be happy enough with a quiet January after agreeing a three-year deal with former Hibs youngster Steven Bradley. Getting one or two players out the door is more of a priority for the Livi boss.
Stocking filler
With not much in the way of absolute priorities, a Christmas bonus signing seems unlikely. Martindale has had players in on trial, but as yet hasn’t offered any longer deals. He’s happy to stick with what he’s got unless something really interesting presents itself.
What they don't want
Anymore goalkeepers. Martindale admitted they probably have one too many with Shamal George, Jack Hamilton and Ivan Konovalov. He admitted a return to Russia for the latter fell through in August, so expect him to be the one of the trio to depart.
Motherwell
What they really want
It's a pretty large list but if they were pressed on narrowing it down to one, it might be keeping Matt Penney on a permanent basis.
That won't be an easy task but the left-back has been a key man since arriving on a six-month loan deal from Ipswich Town. Left-back is an area Motherwell have struggled for consistency in ever since manager Steven Hammell hung up his boots but Penney would be a sure bet if they can convince him Fir Park is his best option.
Stocking filler
Pace in attacking areas. You could argue this being top of the list but we have it down as a close second. However, that doesn't make it any less important.
Rolando Aarons is already back at Huddersfield and Joe Efford has been out long-term. There's nobody else really in the claret and amber ranks you'd deem as particularly pacy so someone who has that quality and can link with talisman Kevin van Veen would be welcomed.
What they don't want
Another technical winger. Josh Morris, Blair Spittal, Connor Shields and Stuart McKinstry have all been used out wide by the Steelmen this season.
They are all pretty similar in that their focus is on technique rather than raw pace or a piece of skill that will fool defenders. It doesn't leave room for a Plan B so while it's no slight on the players already there, Motherwell don't need more like them.
Rangers
What they really want
A new goalkeeper. Allan McGregor is now 40 and Jon McLaughlin's bid for the number one spot at the start of the season lasted a mere matter of weeks before the veteran came in again.
Robby McCrorie's signed a new deal but the academy graduate is now 24 and senior opportunities look slim, all the while McGregor's performances come under more scrutiny. His part in Duk's free-kick goal in this week's 3-2 win against Aberdeen has been questioned and it's not the first time this term he's arguably been at fault for a goal.
While he no doubt has the ability to remain between the sticks, Beale may look to the future and try and get a safe pair of hands for seasons to come. But such a specific role could be hard to come by in January.
Stocking filler
An additional forward. This will be a critical area to strengthen in the summer if Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent don't sort out their contracts, but for the short-term they can get away with it.
It's not an ideal scenario to have two top assets potentially walking away for free. So perhaps there will be some long-term thinking again and a new forward is brought to Govan in anticipation of exits.
That said, if they don't depart in January, those two plus Antonio Colak, Scott Wright, a returning Ianis Hagi, Fashion Sakala and Rabbi Matondo provide options.
What they don't want
A midfield exit, namely Glen Kamara. He has been linked with a move to France and while his performances have waned this calendar year, he's still one of the clubs top players in that area.
Plus he is also one with longevity. Steven Davis, Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield are all into their 30s. Kamara seems to be the middle-man for now between experience and inexperienced youth.
Losing him creates an imbalance they'd likely need to try and sort with a short-term fix. Not ideal ahead of a potential summer makeover.
Ross County
What they really want
Centre-back depth. Jack Baldwin's red card at the weekend for example leaves them with just Keith Watson and Alex Iacovitti as recognised defensive options in Malky Mackay's four at the back system.
Only Kilmarnock and Dundee United below them have worse defensive records too. So perhaps an additional body would help stimulate competition for places.
Stocking filler
An extra striker wouldn't go amiss. Jordan White plays as a lone forward and does that job pretty well but when he's in need of a rest, there isn't much to turn to.
Jordy Hiwula hasn't scored yet in the league and there's little competition for the former Inverness man's starting jersey. So helping him could help the entire team.
What they don't want
It's a tight squad in Dingwall so there isn't really much room for cutting fat off the edges of this group. There is more than enough wide players in this group though.
Five have the ability of playing there - Ben Paton, Kazeem Olaigbe, Josh Sims, Owura Edwards and WIlliam Akio - so that should be enough to get through until May.
St Johnstone
What they really want
A longer-term solution at goalkeeper. Replacing Zander Clark - now on the bench at hearts - was always going to be tough. Remi Matthews has arrived on loan from Crystal palace and done well, and could provide the solution.
His loan is up at the end of the season, as is his contract at Selhurst park. If a deal can be struck to sign him on a permanent basis, then it would seem that everyone involved is a winner.
Stocking filler
Adam Montgomery until the end of the season. Currently due to return to Celtic next month, Callum Davidson is hopeful of agreeing an extension that would see him remain at McDiarmid park until May
What they don't want
More strikers. Nicky Clark has proved an inspired signing from Dundee United. Perhaps due to his arrival, Stevie May has finally found his mojo again and the Saints have gone from blunt in attack to looking fairly dangerous.
Theo Bair, Michael O’Halloran and Jamie Murphy are all in reserve, while Chris Kane is almost back from a year out with a knee injury.
St Mirren
What they really want
It might sound simple but just keeping their top stars in Paisley might be enough. There isn't anything glaring in the St Mirren side that needs fixed as it's a well-balanced group, but with such a situation comes interest.
Keanu Baccus (more on him later) is undoubtedly going to have some suitors and Ethan Erhahon is another of their prized assets. Both are midfielders so should any acceptable bids come in for them, you'd expect movement to try and replace them in the engine room.
Stocking filler
Perhaps another forward wouldn't go amiss in Paisley. Eamon Brophy hasn't really got going since moving to the club under Jim Goodwin, scoring eight times in 53 matches.
Their top league scorer is a three-way tie between Mark O'Hara, Alex Greive and Jonah Ayunga on three goals, but that hasn't proven a problem in their top six push to date. Someone who could even contribute another four or five in the second half of the term could be a welcome addition
What they don't want
Baccus departing the club. He had a brilliant World Cup with Australia and while they are bound to get some sort of interest in him, they'll be keen to get through to the summer at least.
He's the heartbeat of their midfield and Stephen Robinson backed him to go on to become a Socceroos international before he'd even kicked a Buddies ball in anger. If he helps them get into the top six, he'd be worth his weight in gold to the club, of he isn't already.
