Celtic boss discusses departure of two players as Hearts enter 'pre-contract talks’ with former Rangers ace
The latest Celtic and Rangers news to wrap up the weekend
Wilfried Nancy has discussed the pending departure of two Celtic players ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. The players will link up with their respective international teams following this afternoon’s Premier Sports Cup final clash against St Mirren.
Meanwhile, Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts have been linked with a move for a former Rangers talent who is currently enjoying his football in the Championship.
Wilfried Nancy discusses Celtic player departures for AFCON
Celtic are set to be without Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha as of next week as the two prepare to head out to the AFCON.
Tounekti (Tunisia) and Balikwisha (DR Congo) will leave following the Premier Sports Cup final to join their teammates out in Morocco. The tournament will get underway on Sunday, December 21st and will run until January 18th, which is when the final will be held.
Nancy has not expressed any concern being without the duo and has stressed the importance of AFCON to those who are competing in it.
“I knew that before, so there is no issue. I come from Africa, so I know the importance of this competition. Sometimes people think that this competition is not important, but this is the World Cup for the African players.”
Speaking ahead of the Cup final, Nancy discussed the pending absence of summer signing Tounekti directly, who has featured in every single Celtic game so far this season.
“He's going to face adversity and he's going to be able to learn certain things. I hope that when he comes back, he will be better again.”
The Hoops boss also discussed Kelechi Iheanacho, who has not been named in Nigeria’s AFCON squad. The striker returned to action for Celtic in a substitute appearance against Roma, having been side-lined due to injury.
“To be honest, I had in my plan to start him,” Nancy continued. “But physically he didn't play for a long time, so that's why the plan was to bring him on the pitch in the second half or in the middle of the second half. He did well, he did what he likes to do.”
Hearts ‘in pre-contract talks’ with former Rangers ace
Hearts are currently ‘in talks’ with former Rangers winger Josh McPake as they eye up a pre-contract agreement with the 24-year-old. That’s according to our sister website the Edinburgh Evening News, who report that ‘talks are progressing’ between Hearts and McPake’s current club St Johnstone.
The winger’s contract in Perth is due to expire at the end of this season and the Jambos are eager to bring him in. Whether they make an early move for McPake in January or wait to sign him for free in the summer remains to be seen at this point.
McPake is enjoying an impressive season with St Johnstone, with 12 goals on his tally from 17 Championship appearances so far. He made the move to the Saints last summer following a successful trial period. Prior to his transfer, McPake spent a brief stint with Stirling Albion, following his release from Rangers.
The winger came through the ranks at Rangers but never managed to challenge for a place in the senior team. After his maiden first team appearance, McPake was sent out on six different loan spells before eventually being released after both player and club mutually agreed to terminate his contract in 2023.