'Everton eye Celtic's Johnston amid Patterson interest' - gossip

Everton are linked with interest in Celtic's Alistair Johnston with Nathan Patterson tipped to exit, while Nadim Bajrami reportedly nears an exit from Rangers.

>Everton, whose Scotland right-back, Nathan Patterson, is drawing strong interest from clubs in Germany, Italy and Spain, are preparing to firm up their interest in Celtic 27-year-old Alistair Johnston. (The Herald)

>Mika Baur has informed Paderborn of his desire to join Celtic this summer after the 22-year-old midfielder agreed personal terms with the Scottish champions. (George Tsarouchas on X)

>Mika Baur missed Paderborn's friendly with Southampon on Wednesday, but the German club's claim that the Celtic target was ill is not accurate. (Mark Hendry on X)

>Marcelo Saracchi is poised to clinch a move to Houston Dynamo after the 28-year-old left-back's loan from Boca Juniors to Celtic. (Daily Record)

>Out-of-favour 26-year-old Atalanta wing-back Mitchel Bakker, who had been linked with Celtic, is close to joining Marseille, according to reports in France. (Daily Record)

>Nedim Bajrami is expected to leave Rangers in the coming days, with a return to Italian football emerging as the most likely destination for the 27-year-old Albania winger. (Inside Ibrox)

>Leicester City and Swansea City are leading the race to sign John Souttar, with the 29-year-old Scotland centre-half certain to end his four years with Rangers. (Rangers Review)

>Rangers and Cardiff City face serious competition for Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl, with Hull City now very interested in the 20-year-old. (Rune Robertsen on X)

>Trabzonspor are to make a transfer bid of a one-season loan with an £8.6m purchase option for Besiktas winger Vaclav Cerny, the 28-year-old who spent a year on loan with Rangers. (MyNet)

Thursday's English & European transfer rumours • >Who has your Premiership club brought in & let go this summer? • >Wednesday's Scottish GossipLeague One club Luton Town have held talks with Rangers over a move for 23-year-old winger Ross McCausland. (Rangers Review)

>Rangers midfielder Paul Nsio has agreed a loan move to St Mirren, but the 20-year-old will not be signing a new deal at Ibrox as suggested before making the switch to the Paisley club. (Pete O'Rourke on X)

>Raith Rovers Dougie Imrie has expressed his bitter disappointment at failing to take Rangers midfielder Paul Nsio back to Stark's Park, with the 20-year-old poised to join St Mirren on loan instead. (The Courier)

>Out-of-favour midfielder Jose Cifuentes has undergone surgery, meaning Rangers could be unable to offload the 27-year-old before the summer transfer window closes. (Inside Ibrox)

>Rangers have reinforced their transfer strategy, telling fans they focusing on "leadership," "character" and "mentality", as well as a "familiarity with Scottish football", when making signings. (Glasgow Times)

>Derby County have taken Alfie Halliwell on trial after the 18-year-old goalkeeper was released by Rangers. (Football Insider)

>John McGlynn says he is fully focused on Falkirk amid speculation that the manager is in the running to replace Steve Clarke as Scotland's next head coach. (The Scotsman)

>Scotland assistant Steven Naismith has ruled himself out of the running to be Steve Clarke's successor as head coach but admitted he would be prepared to step in on a temporary basis if the Scottish FA has not found a replacement by the time the Nations League gets underway in September. (The Herald)

>Rangers have finalised a deal to bring Mick Priest, the former Brentford lead scout, to Ibrox as a first-team scout. (Pranev Shahaney on X)