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

[BBC] 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 having previously turned out for both Lille, and Paris Saint-Germain, 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 at Ibrox. ( 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 Besiktaş winger Vaclav Cerny, the 28-year-old who spent a year on loan with Rangers. ( MyNet ) Real Madrid confident of Rodri deal - Thursday's gossip Rangers set to make profit on Antman - gossip League 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 the national team'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 )