Rangers near key contract agreement
A report claims that Rangers are nearing an agreement to sign midfielder John Lundstram to a new multi-year contract. The former Sheffield United player had a rough start to the season, but under Philippe Clement, he has become a vital member of the team with strong performances since the Belgian was brought in after Michael Beale was fired in October. The Rangers Review reports that the Ibrox club is committed to securing Lundstram’s services “for next season and beyond,” with an agreement believed to be “likely” in the coming weeks. Lundstram’s contract expires in the summer, and he is free to engage with rival clubs.
Major Celtic injury boost
According to sources, star defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is expected to make his return this weekend against Motherwell, giving Celtic a significant boost. The American international center defense has struggled with injuries this season, appearing in slightly over half of the team’s league games. He hasn’t played since he suffered a second hamstring strain during the team’s 1-0 victory over Ross County on January 27. In addition to Liam Scales, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been depending on Maik Nawrocki and Stephen Welsh to fill in, with Gustaf Lagerbielke remaining in reserve but unable to push his way into the management’s plans. Carter-Vickers has resumed training this week, which is fantastic news for Celtic supporters because it means he might be available for the crucial trip to Fir Park, as reported by the Scottish Sun. By the time Celtic kick off in South Lanarkshire on Sunday lunchtime, five points behind Rangers, who hosted Hearts at Ibrox the day before. The league leaders are now leading the standings.
Hearts decide which to sign.
Kenneth Vargas of Club Sport Herediano is expected to be permanently signed by Hearts following his stellar play for the Tynecastle club this season. The 21-year-old attacker, who joined on loan from the Costa Rican team last summer, has made 31 appearances and scored six goals. The Edinburgh Evening News reports that Vargas’s recent form during a 12-game winning streak has persuaded director of football Joe Savage and manager Steven Naismith to activate the purchase option included in the loan transfer, with a six-figure sum reportedly agreed upon by Hearts and his parent club. Craig Halkett, meantime, was referred to visit a specialist this week regarding the knee injury he sustained in Hearts’ Scottish Cup victory over Airdrie, so Hearts will probably be without him again on Saturday when they play Rangers. Hearts are being cautious with Halkett’s recent setback. Since returning from an almost 12-month layoff owing to an achilles tear, Halkett has made 11 appearances this season. The 28-year-old has reportedly been kept out of first-tream training as a precaution as the medical team awaits the specialist’s decision, according to the Edinburgh Evening News. Beni Beningime is anticipated to be fit for the trip to Ibrox following his recovery from the cramp that sidelined him during the game last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Motherwell at halftime.
Sorry about the manager’s misunderstanding.
Motherwell has clarified certain misunderstandings over manager Stuart Kettlewell’s future and then apologized to the fans. Since Kettlewell was named the club’s permanent manager in February of last year and had been touted as having signed a contract “initially until May 2024,” it had been widely assumed that he was out of contract at the end of the season. However, it has come to light that by keeping Motherwell in the top division during the previous season, the 40-year-old triggered a one-year extension until May 2025. “We would like to apologise to both our fans and Stuart for not properly communicating the terms of the extension in May last year and for the uncertainty this has clearly caused,” the statement said.
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