Spurs' Kudos Oyenuga and Celtic's James Keatings join St Johnstone

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James Keatings
Image caption,

Keatings has yet to make a senior appearance for Celtic

Tottenham Hotspur's Kudus Oyenuga and Celtic's James Keatings have joined St Johnstone on loan as the Perth club bolster their striking options.

But making way for them is Sean Higgins, who has joined Ayr United until the end of the season.

The 18-year-old Oyenuga signed a two-year deal with Spurs last year and has already had loan spells with Finnish side MyPa and League One's Bury.

Keatings, who is two years older, is a Scotland Under-19 international.

St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas told his club website: "I'm delighted to have signed these two young players and I have told them both that they can do themselves and Saints plenty of good over the next few months.

"Kudus comes here with a good reputation - he is well thought of at Spurs - while James has been on the fringe of first-team involvement for Neil Lennon.

"I've been short of under-21 players for the first-team squad and these lads fit the bill perfectly, but they are not just here to make up the numbers - they are here because I think they can make a real contribution."

Unlike Oyenuga, who made three appearances while in Finland and the same number for Bury during August, Keatings has yet to make a senior appearance.

But Celtic believe he was close to breaking into their own first-team until he suffered injury.

"Having topped the goalscoring charts for the Under-19s last season with 25 goals in all competitions, the prolific striker was making a strong case for an inclusion in the top-team squad until a cruciate injury in April hampered his progress," said a club website statement.

"However, the club showed their faith in his ability by awarding him a three-year contract in the close season.

"Now back to full fitness, the 20-year-old has starred in the recent development side games, recently rediscovering his goalscoring touch.

"And the chance of gaining competitive top-team action with the Perth Saints will be another significant step forward in his development."

Higgins has made only four appearances, starting once, for Saints since signing in the summer after departing First Division outfit Dundee.

The 27-year-old has previously been with Ross County and now returns to Division One on loan as Ayr battle to avoid relegation.

Higgins is the second striker to have left St Johnstone during January, Sam Parkin having departed McDiarmid Park by mutual consent.

Saints so far have managed to hold on to Francisco Sandaza, despite the Spaniard having rejected the offer of a new contract beyond the summer and attracting interest from Scottish Premier League rivals Rangers.

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