Celtic defender's transfer 'fate' decided as Hearts striker responds...

Celtic defender’s transfer ‘fate’ decided as Hearts striker responds to Rangers transfer speculation

Rangers will be back in action in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday when they host St Johnstone to Ibrox in preparation for the

first of their two games remaining against leaders Celtic.

With a win, the recently crowned Viaplay Cup champions may cut the deficit to only two points on the Hoops.

However, Celtic will not be playing this midweek as Brendan Rodgers continues

to analyze a disappointing league loss to Hearts at Parkhead last Saturday.

Away from the action on the pitch, the January transfer window is fast approaching and the rumour

mill continues to turn. Here are the latest Celtic and Rangers headlines on Tuesday, December 19:

Nat Phillips’ loan at Celtic will not be extended, according to a report from The Athletic.

Since agreeing to a short-term contract at the end of August in response to a minor defensive crisis,

the Anfield loanee has only made eight appearances for the Scottish champions,

four of which have come as substitutes. After Phillips scored an own goal in the Premiership encounter

against Kilmarnock the previous weekend, he was left out of the matchday lineup for Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Hearts at home.

Barring further injuries or suspension, the centre-back could well have played his last game for the

club prior to the loan agreement with the Premier League side ending next month.

Various reports suggest he is likely to be loaned out elsewhere for the second half of the season.

Only a few days after Celtic assistant manager John Kennedy acknowledged that the team would need

to let go of a few defenders—there are currently seven on the first team roster—the 26-year-old will

rejoin Jurgen Klopp’s squad in January. He battled to regain full match sharpness.

Rangers-related Lawrence Shankland acknowledges that he won’t let transfer rumors to impact his goal-scoring performance at

Hearts, saying that they are evidence that he is doing well for the Gorgie team.

After scoring 14 goals for club and country this season, the Scotland international—a lifelong

fan of the Green Bay Packers—warned that a “exceptional”

offer would be needed to lure the 28-year-old away from Tynecastle.

In an effort to stifle any January interest, the Hearts intend to begin contract negotiations with Shankland,

who is approaching the last 18 months of his contract, in the new year.

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