WITH the Premiership back in action and the January transfer window in full swing, clubs throughout Scotland are adding the finishing touches to their squads for the remainder of the campaign.
Away from the wheeling and dealing that accompanies the January transfer window, though, there are those already looking ahead to next season. As top-flight players enter the final six months of their contracts, they become free to speak to suitors over potential moves elsewhere.
We’ve now passed that threshold and there are a host of footballers mulling over the next moves in their careers. Here, in no particular order, are 10 of the best Premiership players plying their trade outside of Glasgow who will become free agents this summer – unless an extension or a move elsewhere can be agreed.
Jamie McGrath (St Mirren)
The Irish playmaker has impressed heavily during his stint in Paisley since arriving in 2020, going on to become a fully-fledged Irish internationalist in that time. McGrath is believed to be in demand, although he has already seen two Premiership moves fall through this season.
Hibernian made a last-gasp attempt to sign the 25-year-old on deadline day in the summer transfer window – in a deal that would have seen Scott Allan move in the opposite direction – and Aberdeen are the latest club to have an approach rebuffed for the midfielder, having had a bid knocked back this month.
St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin seems resigned to losing McGrath come the end of the season but will be hopeful of keeping a hold of his star asset for the remainder of the campaign. The former Dundalk player is one of the Premiership’s most effective playmakers and the Irishman would be a savvy investment for just about any top-flight club.
Jeando Fuchs (Dundee United)
The Cameroon midfielder joined United when they sealed their return to the top flight in 2020 and has gone on to establish himself as a mainstay in the starting XI at Tannadice. Celtic and Rangers have both reportedly been sniffing around the 24-year-old and his all-action displays have garnered plenty of attention.
One-and-a-half impressive campaigns on Tayside might not be quite enough to convince either half of the Old Firm to make their move but Fuchs has shown he is capable of being a stand-out performer in the Premiership and may fancy a crack at European football – or a move abroad.
Benjamin Siegrist (Dundee United)
Another whose time at his current club appears to be drawing to a close. Tam Courts secured the arrival of Finnish goalkeeper Carljohan Eriksson from Swedish outfit Mjallby earlier this month and it looks as though the 26-year-old has arrived to replace Siegrist in the United goal.
The Swiss-shot stopper was one of the busiest goalies in the Premiership last season and was statistically the league’s highest-performing keeper. With both Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin approaching the end of their Rangers contracts, it would be no surprise to see Siegrist perhaps end up at Ibrox for the start of next season.
Ryan Hedges (Aberdeen)
The Welsh internationalist could be on the move this month after attracting interest down south, while Blackburn Rovers have already had a £400,000 bid for the winger turfed out.
At 26, Hedges is approaching a crucial juncture in his career and may well fancy another shot at England after a previous spell at Barnsley didn’t really work out. Injury has disrupted Hedges’ time at Pittodrie but there is little doubt that when the wide player is fit and firing, he has enough about him to cause all sorts of headaches for the opposition.
Shaun Rooney (St Johnstone)
The wing-back was arguably Saints’ most important player last term as Callum Davidson guided his team to an historic League Cup and Scottish Cup double. It was Rooney who provided the winning goal in each final, leading to calls for the 25-year-old to be included in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for last summer’s European Championships.
Things haven’t exactly been quite as rosy this term, however. St Johnstone are embroiled in a relegation scrap and are fighting for their Premiership survival, and Rooney might feel compelled to move on to a higher level rather than risk dropping into the Championship. The right-back has developed into a capable top-flight player and should really be playing for a team in the top half of the table.
Zander Clark (St Johnstone)
Another key cog in the Perth Saints’ double-winning team, Clark has been one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise disappointing campaign thus far at McDiarmid Park. The 29-year-old has faced plenty of shots this term thanks to the leaky defence in front of him but is perhaps the only St Johnstone player to have carried his form from the previous campaign into the current one.
Clark has been included in each of Clarke’s last two Scotland squads and the Saints keeper is considered by many to be the heir apparent to Craig Gordon’s No.1 spot for the national team. Like Rooney, Clark’s fate may well be tied to St Johnstone’s Premiership status but there are few top-flight clubs who wouldn’t take a punt on him.
Alan Forrest (Livingston)
The junior Forrest sibling has been living in his brother’s shadow for much of his career but the Livingston winger has developed into a handy top-flight player since joining from Ayr United in 2020.
The 25-year-old chipped in with 11 assists in all competitions last season – a fine return for a player’s debut campaign for a Premiership club – and although he has struggled to maintain that output this term, he has previously shown he can hit such heights.
Forrest’s versatility is an added bonus – he can play on either wing, in attacking midfield or even as a striker – and the attacker’s best years are still to come.
Scott Allan (Hibernian)
The playmaker has struggled for game time at Easter Road this season and the diagnosis of a heart condition kept the midfielder out of the first team at Hibs for a period of five months last season. So far, he has 14 appearances to his name this term but 10 of those have arrived via the substitute’s bench.
At 30 years old, Allan still has a few miles left on the clock and the former Celtic player’s passing range and vision remain stand-out qualities that can turn a Premiership game on its head. Dundee and St Mirren are said to be weighing up bids to sign Allan this month and Hibernian are understood to be willing to listen to any offers they receive.
Eamonn Brophy (St Mirren)
The one-time Scotland cap spoke of reigniting his international career when he joined St Mirren a year ago but the striker will need to offer more if he wants another chance to be considered by Clarke.
The 25-year-old knows the national team manager well from their time at Kilmarnock, and the decision to depart Rugby Park last January was justified when the Ayrshire side were ultimately relegated to the Championship.
After suffering a couple of injury setbacks during his time in Paisley, Brophy will likely be looking to use the remainder of the season to remain fit and to add to his five league goals this term. The centre-forward is approaching a crucial point in his career and it remains to be seen if it will take place at the Buddies or elsewhere.
Regan Charles-Cook (Ross County)
The left winger has been in fine form in the Highlands this season, chipping in with six goals and two assists in 19 Premiership appearances for Malky Mackay’s team, and is now settled at Ross County following an initial period of homesickness at the club.
His debut campaign saw Charles-Cook used as a bit-part utility player, plugging gaps as and when required, but the 24-year-old has discovered his best form since being deployed regularly on the left wing.
The Grenada internationalist, who joined from Gillingham a year-and-a-half ago, has established himself as one of the first names on Mackay’s team sheet this season and could prove to be a savvy addition for most top-flight sides.
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