Celtic boss ‘wants to keep’ player amid transfer links as ex Rangers forward ‘free to leave’ Premiership rivals’

Celtic and Rangers advanced to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup

with convincing wins against Buckie Thistle and Dumbarton, respectively.

The two footballing behemoths will each want to make even more history this season,

Celtic now lead Rangers by eight points, but that margin might be trimmed in the coming weeks since the Gers still have two games in hand.

This year’s title battle is likely to be hotly contested,

thanks to Rangers’ improved play under manager Philippe Clement.

The January transfer window may play a significant part in separating the two sides,

and both Glasgow clubs will be be keen to make deals in the final few weeks of the window.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the most recent transfer stories between Celtic and Rangers.

Brendan Rodgers outlines his views on Rocco Vata amid leave speculation.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has indicated that Rocco Vata’s future at Parkhead remains in his own hands,

despite reports of his leaving.

Vata, who scored his first professional goal for Celtic in a 5-0 win against Buckie Thistle,

was the subject of conjecture during the January transfer window,

with Italian clubs reportedly interested in signing him away from Glasgow.

The youngster’s current agreement at Celtic Park runs until the summer,

but Rodgers claims there is an offer on the table for the Republic of Ireland U21 international to extend his.stay.

Rodgers told The Herald that he’s keen to keep the 18-year-old prodigy if possible.

Rodgers also pushed Vata to be patient and work hard to earn a spot in the first team.

He explained: “Yeah, but listen, that is up to him.

“He is a talent, and it all rests on the mentality of him and his representatives.

You have some young players whose representation will tell you that if they do not start in the first team,

they will leave. If that’s the case, you should go since you need to earn the right.

“He is 18 years old, and I do not require players to be ready at that age unless they are genuine,

exceptional skills. At the age of 20 or 21, they must be prepared. But as you can see,

he has tools, which can be a really good place for him to develop.

“I suppose he has a contract offer. There have been discussions about that.

My primary focus is on the playing part, but I am confident that there will be something for him.”

Former Rangers forward is ‘free to quit’ Premier League club

Former Rangers striker and academy graduate Zak Rudden has been informed that he is ‘free to leave’ Dundee FC.

Rudden was left out of his side’s matchday squad against Kilmarnock and

is now considered surplus to requirements by manager Tony Docherty.

The 23-year-old had been a regular starter at Dens Park in recent months,

scoring three goals in 16 games.

However, the arrival of Curtis Main has pushed the 23-year-old down

The Courier also reports that long-term veteran Cammy Kerr has been made available for transfer this month.

Kerr has been with Dens Park since joining the academy in 2012,

and he has made 216 league appearances for the club,

10 of which came this season.

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