A round-up of the latest transfer headlines for Celtic and Rangers ahead of the international break

The January transfer window is now just weeks away from opening and Scottish clubs are preparing to do business to bolster their teams at the midway point in the season.

Celtic and Rangers have both been linked with potential transfer candidates to boost their chances of an improved second half to the Scottish Premiership campaign.

The Hoops remain significantly adrift of surprise leaders Hearts, who are in front by a healthy seven points and are still yet to lose a match this season. Rangers have picked up form under new manager Danny Rohl but remain 12 points behind the Jambos and five behind their Glasgow rivals.

Both clubs could sign new personnel during the winter window, so let’s take a look at some of the latest transfer rumours.

Celtic rival Premier League club for Callum McGregor successor

Celtic have entered the race for Moroccan midfielder Hossam Essadak and will reportedly be pitted against Premier League side Sunderland in a ‘January transfer battle’ for his signature.

That’s according to TEAMtalk, who claim that the 20-year-old is attracting serious attention thanks to his performances for both club and country. Essadak recently captained Morocco to the U20 World Cup title and he currently plays for Union Touarga Sport in Morocco’s top flight.

As things stand, no formal bids have been submitted by either Celtic or Sunderland but bother clubs are ‘actively scouting’ Essadak ahead of a ‘potential January move’.

The Hoops’ recruitment team have reportedly been tracking the midfielder and see him as a ‘long-term successor’ to Callum McGregor, who turns 33 next year and is out of contract in 2028.

Essadak’s playing style suits the tactics and system preferred by current Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill. While a new manager could well change the style Celtic play in, it’s unlikely the scouting team’s admiration for the player will dissolve with a change of head coach.

Rangers will not return for failed summer transfer target

Rumours have kicked up again surrounding Rangers’ link with Betis centre-back Nobel Mendy, having almost signed him over the summer. However, the Glasgow giants are no longer interested in bringing him to Ibrox, with interest faded, according to Record Sport.

There’s a lot of spotlight on Mendy right now, who is earning praise thanks to impressive performances with loan club Rayo Vallecano. The 21-year-old joined the La Liga side from rivals Betis in August and impressed by keeping a clean sheet against Real Madrid at the weekend.

With eyes on Mendy once again, Rangers have been re-linked with a move for the young defender. The Gers had a deal in place with Betis over the summer after beating PSV to his signature, but an issue during his medical caused the transfer to collapse at the final hurdle.

Instead, Rangers signed Derek Cornelius on loan from Marseille. With Mendy now settled and doing well for Vallecano, he is ‘no longer on the radar’ for the Light Blues.