SPL Transfers: 10 Big Deals Celtic And Rangers Are Preparing For January

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It was far from a quiet summer transfer window for the Old Firm, but their dealings in the market may not yet be over.

Rangers' boss Ally McCoist missed out on several targets during the summer and may be tempted to dip back in for some of the players he was once linked with.

On the other side of Glasgow, Celtic manager Neil Lennon may well be contemplating some more transfer moves as his side fight on two fronts—domestically and in Europe.

Let's have a look at ten players that the two teams could purchase in January.

Wesley Verhoek

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The Dutch winger snubbed a move to the Gers in the summer, but McCoist remains keen on the flying midfielder.

Verhoek, who plays in his homeland for ADO Den Haag, told Sky Sports in late July that he was still keen on a move to Scotland.

The 24-year-old was also linked with a move to Championship side Nottingham Forest in early August, but decided to stay in Holland for the time being.

Roland Juhasz

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Anderlecht's bruising centre-back Roland Juhasz was in the midst of a continental tug-of-war during this year's transfer window.

Ally McCoist was determined to bring the experienced Hungarian defender to Ibrox, and although a fee was originally agreed, Juhasz's club decided to "move the goalposts" and refused to sell the player.

However, with Juhasz apparently unhappy and Rangers still in the market for a big centre-back, this move could reignite in January.

Carlos Cuellar

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Former Rangers superstar Carlos Cuellar was also embroiled in a transfer battle last month.

Despite McCoist agreeing a fee with Aston Villa for the Spanish defender, the rookie manager pulled out of the move in late August after deciding Cuellar was not worth buying due to his injured status.

Nevertheless, a January transfer is not yet out of the question as Cuellar was reportedly interested in a move back to his old club. 

Siphiwe Tshabalala

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The South African superstar Siphiwe Tshabalala was the subject of a £100,000 bid from the Govan side on transfer deadline day.

The bid, which Tshabalala's agent described as "an insult", was instantly thrown out by the South African's club Kaizer Chiefs.

But if Rangers are struggling in the creative department come the new year, expect a fresh bid to be tabled for the scorer of the first goal at the 2010 World Cup.

Jamie Murphy

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Motherwell's star player recently said he was "unfazed" by speculation linking him with a host of high-profile clubs in the summer.

Having missed out already on another young Scottish forward in David Goodwillie, will Ally McCoist be making a January move for the highly-rated attacker?

Much will depend on if Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic remains at the Ibrox club beyond the new year.

Baba Diawara

Celtic manager Neil Lennon missed out on the giant striker on the penultimate day of this summer's transfer window.

The Maritimo forward was heavily linked with a move to Scotland and was keen to come, but according to the SFA, Celtic did not submit a visa for the player.

But if Celtic are having problems up front come January, a transfer for Diawara may well be back on the cards.

Wayne Bridge

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Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge ruled himself out of a move north in August.

The English defender was a target for Neil Lennon's men as a replacement for the injured Emilio Izaguirre.

However, Dynamo Kiev's Badr El Kaddouri is only a short-term deal at the Glasgow and, combined with a potential lack of games for the Englishman under Roberto Mancini, Lennon could well make another swoop for Bridge in the January window.

Herita Ilunga

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Another one that got away for Lennon was Herita Ilunga.

The West Ham left-back, like Wayne Bridge, was sought out as a replacement for Emilio Izaguirre, but the move failed to materialise on deadline day.

However, Ilunga did state that he would be interested in a permanent move to Glasgow. Will Lennon be making a move in the next few months? 

Liam Ridgewell

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Although it never came to fruition, the Bhoys were linked with a last-minute move for Birmingham's Liam Ridgewell on transfer deadline-day.

Ridgewell, who plays in the Championship for the Blues, reportedly handed in a transfer request at the recently relegated club.

There's no doubt that Neil Lennon will be keeping a watchful eye over this tenacious and versatile player.

James McFadden

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James McFadden, one of Scotland's all-time greats, is currently a free agent after leaving Birmingham and a move to Parkhead has been mooted.

This one could happen long before the January window even opens.

McFadden began his career in Scotland at Motherwell before his big-money move to Everton, but it's looking increasingly likely that the Scottish talisman could be on his way to his boyhood heroes.

What a game-changer he could prove to be.

Conclusion

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Will they? Won't they?

Will he? Won't he?

All will be revealed when the transfer merry-go-round starts up again in four months' time.

 

For all the latest football chat, follow me on Twitter @colinmurdo91.