Premiership summer free agents facing uncertain January

Greg Taylor, Tom Lawrence, Lawrence Shankland and Martin Boyle are due to be out of contract this summer

The January transfer window has opened, ushering in hopes of key arrivals to revive flagging campaigns or maintain current momentum - or maybe of ridding your club of some underperforming deadwood.

But it is also a time of increasing uncertainty over some prize assets who are free to talk to other clubs as their contracts run out in the summer.

Financial constraints mean one-year contracts are increasingly common, leaving even most Scottish Premiership clubs other than Celtic and, to a lesser extent, Rangers, Aberdeen and Heart of Midlothian with long lists of players whose futures are yet to be decided.

So who are the players running down their contracts likely to attract most interest at each of the 12 clubs?

Aberdeen - Jamie McGrath

Jamie McGrath has proved himself to be a consistent performer in the Premiership, first with St Mirren then Dundee United and Aberdeen, for whom the 28-year-old midfielder has scored four goals this season.

His six top-flight assists also make him equal top with Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn and Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller.

Capped 13 times for Republic of Ireland, you would imagine McGrath would attract interest from around the UK, but his only sojourn south of the Border with Wigan Athletic only lasted a year and it might be a case of once bitten twice shy.

The Dons have been in negotiations with McGrath and Jack MacKenzie, the latest in a long line of fine left-backs to emerge from Scotland, while they have an option of extending midfielder Ante Palaversa's contract by another two years.

Other deals expiring: Duk, forward; Ross Doohan, goalkeeper; Angus MacDonald, defender; Tom Ritchie, goalkeeper.

Tell us who or what Aberdeen should sign during January.

Celtic - Greg Taylor

Greg Taylor has a love-hate relationship with Celtic. The Scotland international is loved by manager Brendan Rodgers in an inverted left-back role that has produced as many league assists as much-lauded right-back Alistair Johnston, while being at the very least derided by some fans for being a weak link in defence.

Despite negotiations, Taylor has yet to agree a new contract and you imagine the newly reported interest from Dinamo Zagreb will not be the only one to emerge until his future is settled.

Celtic and Taylor will also be taking into consideration Alex Valle's preference to return to Barcelona at the end of his loan and the possibility of persuading Kieran Tierney to return to Glasgow when his Arsenal contract ends this summer.

Meanwhile, Rodgers has hinted that he is keen to take up the option of extending Kasper Schmeichel's contract given the goalkeeper's continued excellence at the age of 38.

Also with contract expiring: James McCarthy, midfielder.

Tell us who or what Celtic should sign or re-sign this January.

Dundee - Lyall Cameron

With Luke McCowan having been lost to Celtic in the summer, Lyall Cameron has shouldered much of the responsibility of driving Dundee's midfield - and he continues to impress.

Indeed, although his four league goals are two short of his former team-mate, he has as many assists - also four.

Although injured captain Joe Shaughnessy and fellow key defenders Antonio Portales and Jordan McGhee are also out of contract, you imagine the 22-year-old will be a priority for manager Tony Docherty.

Other contracts expiring: Harry Sharp, goalkeeper; Adam Legzdins, goalkeeper; Sean Kelly, defender (January); Mohammed Sylla, defender; Finlay Robertson, midfielder; Josh Mulligan, midfielder; Charlie Reilly, forward; Scott Fraser, midfielder; Scott Tiffoney, midfielder; Curtis Main, forward.

Tell us who or what Dundee need to add during January

Dundee United - Sam Dalby

Sam Dalby is only on loan at Tannadice, but the striker is out of contract this summer with parent club Wrexham.

The 25-year-old himself has suggested there is no move from the Welsh club to recall him in January, or extend his deal, despite topping the Premiership scoring stakes with nine goals - one more than Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi.

Both he and United manager Jim Goodwin are publicly keen to extend his stay in Tayside.

Other contracts expiring: Jack Walton, goalkeeper; Jack Newman, goalkeeper; Kevin Holt, defender; Declan Gallagher, defender; Ross Docherty, midfielder; David Babunski, midfielder (option of another year); Glenn Middleton, midfielder; Kai Fotheringham, midfielder; Louis Moult, forward; Owen Stirton, forward.

Tell us who or what United need to add during January.

Heart of Midlothian - Lawrence Shankland

Another transfer window, another speculating about the future of Lawrence Shankland.

However, whereas a year ago the Scotland striker was in a position of strength on his way to 33 goals for club and country that led to reports of interest from Rangers, the 29-year-old has found the net just three times this season.

The recent goalscoring form of 17-year-old James Wilson, who has agreed a new deal, also weakens Shankland's bargaining power.

Meanwhile, Hearts have to juggle the futures of 42-year-old Craig Gordon and fellow Scotland goalkeeper Zander Clark.

Other contracts expiring: Jorge Grant, midfielder; Barrie McKay, midfielder; Liam Boyce, forward.

Tell us who or what Hearts need to add during January.

Hibernian - Martin Boyle

The Australia winger has gone off the boil a bit this season, but Martin Boyle has bubbled back into form just at the right moment to help inspire a mini-revival that has eased pressure on head coach David Gray.

Indeed, of the current Hibs squad, only Nicky Cadden has scored more than his three league goals, while he is equal with Jordan Obita's three assists.

However, the Edinburgh-born 31-year-old's future is clouded by his desire to some day play in his father's home country and reported A-League interest last summer.

Other contracts expiring: Dwight Gayle, forward; Junior Hoilett, forward; Chris Cadden, defender; Jake Doyle-Hayes, midfielder; Rocky Bushiri, defender; Lewis Miller, defender; Harry McKirdy, forward; Max Boruc, goalkeeper; Nohan Kenneh, midfielder; Luke Amos, midfielder.

Tell us what Hibs need in and out during the January window.

Kilmarnock - Danny Armstrong

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes admitted at the weekend that he expects Danny Armstrong's fourth year at Rugby Park to be his last after the 27-year-old rejected a new contract amid rumoured interest from Hearts.

Given McInnes pointed out that Armstrong's performances had dipped this season, he might view young emerging striker Bobby Wales and blossoming midfielder Fraser Murray as bigger priorities, while veteran captain and striker Kyle Vassell and key defender Robbie Deas also have their futures to be decided.

Other contracts expiring: Kieran O'Hara, goalkeeper; Joe Wright, defender; Liam Donnelly, midfielder; Kyle Magennis, midfielder; Gary Mackay-Steven, midfielder; Rory McKenzie, forward; Innes Cameron, forward.

Tell us what moves Kilmarnock should make during the January window.

Motherwell - Dan Casey

Dan Casey has become Mr Consistency in the Motherwell defence since arriving in February 2023 after exiting Sacremento Republic.

But the 27-year-old Irishman's future is just one of a number facing manager Stuart Kettlewell.

The Fir Park club also have an option to extend forward Callum Slattery's stay by a year and there are also options for veteran captain Paul McGinn and midfielder Ross Callachan.

Other contracts expiring: Andy Halliday, midfielder; Shane Blaney, defender; Steve Seddon, defender; Davor Zdravkovski, midfielder; Harry Paton, midfielder; Moses Ebiye, forward.

Tell us what Motherwell need during the January transfer window.

Rangers - Tom Lawrence

Until his latest injury setback, Tom Lawrence looked to have established himself as Philippe Clement's preferred option as number 10 behind a lone striker and expressed hopes of a Wales recall.

However, with Ianis Hagi impressing after his contractual impasse was resolved and Hamza Igmane emerging as a goal threat in a blossoming new dual striker formation with fit-again Danilo, the 30-year-old may find himself surplus to requirements.

Suggestions that Rangers must sell before adding to the squad in January have led to speculation that Lawrence could even exit this month.

Other contracts expiring: Leon Balogun, defender; Alex Lowry, midfielder; Adam Devine, defender; Cole McKinnon, midfielder; Zak Lovelace, forward.

Tell us what moves in and out Rangers should make during January.

Ross County - Connor Randall

Whether in defence or midfield, Connor Randall has become an ever-present for Ross County since his arrival from Bulgarian club Arda Kardzhali in summer 2020 and, as club captain, the 29-year-old Liverpudlian appears settled in Dingwall.

However, any offers to their full team of players out of contact this summer may have to wait until County know whether or not they are clear of relegation trouble.

Other contracts expiring: Jordan Amissah, goalkeeper; Jack Hamilton, goalkeeper; Logan Ross, goalkeeper; Ryan Leak, defender; James Brown, defender; Scott Allardice, midfielder; Victor Loturi, midfielder; Charlie Telfer, midfielder; Max Sheaf, midfielder; Eammon Brophy, forward; Alex Samuel, forward; Jordan White, forward.

Tell us what moves Ross County should make during January.

St Johnstone - Benjamin Kimpioka

Benjamin Kimpioka was tipped to become one of the Premiership's hottest properties in his first full season in Scottish football.

The 24-year-old Swede looked to be repaying the undisclosed fee St Johnstone paid AIK for the striker in January 2024 by scoring seven goals in his first nine appearances this season.

However, he has found the net just once in his latest nine under the system adopted by new manager Simo Valakari, who admitted last week that Kimpioka has refused to even enter negotiations about extending his stay, leaving "where next?" as the only unanswered question.

With Saints sitting bottom of the table, other offers will likely be delayed amid a relegation battle.

Other contracts expiring: Sam McClelland, defender; Bozo Mikulic, defender; Barry Douglas, defender; Cammy MacPherson, midfielder; Matt Smith, midfielder; David Keltjens, midfielder; Maksym Kucheryavyi, midfielder; Sven Sprangler, midfielder; Alex Ferguson, midfielder; Drey Wright, midfielder; Graham Carey, midfielder; Nicky Clark, forward.

Tell us what St Johnstone need to do during the January transfer window.

St Mirren - Toyosi Olusanya

Toyosi Olusanya has turned his St Mirren career around since making such an awful debut that the former Middlesbrough striker was quickly shipped off to Arbroath on loan.

So much so that the 27-year-old was offered a contract extension in November and will have attracted more admiring glances after terrorising the visiting defence with his speed and power in last week's 2-1 win over Rangers.

Olusanya is, though, just one of a host of players who have contracts running down, with Richard Taylor looking a class act in central defence and Killian Phillips impressing with his work-rate in midfield.

Meanwhile, centre-half Charles Dunne had only joined on a short-term deal until this month as injury cover.

Others out of contract in Paisley: Declan John, defender; Elvis Bwomono, defender; Luke Kenny, defender; Caolan Boyd-Munce, midfielder; Dennis Adeniran, midfielder (extra year option); Conor McMenamin, forward; Jonah Ayunga, forward; Mikael Mandron, forward.

Tell us what moves St Mirren should make during January.