The latest team news and transfer rumours for Celtic and Rangers as AFCON approaches
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Celtic have been handed a squad boost following a recent Africa Cup of Nations announcement, while Rangers could be fending off clubs in pursuit of one of their key players in the new year.
New manager Wilfried Nancy is yet to get his first win on the board with his new club, having lost against Hearts and Roma since his arrival.
Rangers are next in action on Monday against Hibs in the Scottish Premiership, while Celtic will visit Dundee United on Wednesday.
Rangers will be tempted by ‘significant January offer’ for key Ibrox star
Rangers could be swayed into selling one of their key players in January, with interest building from the Premier League.
According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur are in pursuit of Nicolas Raskin and the Light Blues will ‘find it very difficult’ to turn down a ‘significant offer’ if it comes their way.
The Belgian international has been described as a ‘hugely important’ figure in Danny Rohl’s plans but the club could let down their guard if a ‘significant offer’ comes their way in January.
Spurs have been linked with Raskin since October and they have been left impressed by his performances for both club and country recently.
Rangers are ‘extremely reluctant’ to part ways with the 24-year-old but if Tottenham table a big enough offer, the Glasgow giants may have no choice but to accept it.
Celtic given boost as AFCON update drops
Celtic will be able to call upon Kelechi Iheanacho over the coming weeks as he has not been selected to represent Nigeria for the upcoming AFCON tournament.
The Super Eagles have released their star-studded squad for the action in Morocco, including the likes of Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen, Fulham’s Alex Iwobi, and former Rangers star Cyriel Dessers.
However, there is no room for Iheanacho, who has missed the last six Scottish Premiership fixtures with Celtic due to an injury.
Nancy recently gave an update on the striker, confirming that he has been ‘training well’ as he nears his return from injury. The 29-year-old was named on the bench against Hearts and made a second half appearance in the Europa League against Roma.
“He has trained well, After that, he needs minutes. It has been a long time, two months since he really played,” Nancy said ahead of the Roma clash.
“The way we work the players who have not played regularly, we try to get them through physical work to get back into the rhythm. For the moment obviously he is not fit to play a lot of minutes, but a few minutes, yes. We will see.”
The deadline for AFCON players to be with their respective national teams is December 15th. The tournament runs until January 18th, which is when the final will be played. Depending on how far Nigeria reach in the tournament, Celtic could have been without Iheanacho for more than a month.