Rangers are reportedly set to secure the permanent signing of James Penrice for a modest fee, with reports in Scotland indicating the Ibrox club would need to pay just £800,000 to make the loan move for the 27-year-old left-back a permanent one. Penrice, currently on loan at Rangers from AEK Athens, has impressed enough during his time in Govan that the club are expected to activate the option to buy him outright when the current campaign draws to a close.
The reported fee represents relatively modest business in the current transfer market, and Rangers will be encouraged that a player who has settled into the side can be secured on a permanent basis without a significant financial outlay. The move would give the club long-term clarity over the left-back position heading into next season.
Across the city, Celtic are dealing with their own transfer-related matters. The Scottish champions are understood to be relatively unconcerned about the future of Benjamin Nygren, despite the Swedish midfielder acknowledging that there was considerable interest in his services during the last transfer window. The 25-year-old has become an important figure at Parkhead, and Celtic's calm stance suggests they are confident of keeping hold of him beyond the current window regardless of external interest.
Elsewhere, Celtic have come under criticism from former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, who suggested the club have been negligent in failing to develop a natural successor to club captain Callum McGregor. The 33-year-old midfielder, who has been a mainstay of the Celtic side for years, is edging closer to the end of his current contract, and Wyness's comments raise questions about the club's succession planning in that crucial midfield role.
Meanwhile, Celtic winger Yang Hyun-jun has spoken about the significant personal stakes tied to his participation with the South Korea national team at the Asian Cup. The 24-year-old has missed important matches for Celtic in order to represent his country, a decision that carries major consequences given that South Korean players can be granted exemption from mandatory military service should the national team win the tournament for a fourth consecutive time.
Yang described the situation in stark terms, saying he believes he has staked his