From Vardy to Hagi – Scottish Premiership free agent options
With Lawrence Shankland having signed a new three-year contract with Heart of Midlothian, there are not many high-profile free agents left from last season’s Scottish Premiership squads.
Fellow Scotland cap Greg Taylor, for instance, also ended speculation about his future this week as the left-back decided against a new deal with Celtic and began a new adventure in the Greek Superleague with PAOK.
But who are the gems still waiting to be picked up for free?
Veteran Scots out of a job in England
Perhaps the biggest name to be linked with a possible free transfer to a Scottish club this summer is Jamie Vardy.
The former England striker, still dangerous in England’s top flight at the age of 38, has garnered many headlines in the Scottish media after being touted for a move to Rangers as he exits relegated Leicester City.
Only the Old Firm could afford the kind of wages such an elite player would demand, but three vastly experienced former Scotland strikers are also looking for new clubs after exiting English clubs.
At the same age, Steven Fletcher has been released by Wrexham after helping the Welsh club reach the Championship, while Jordan Rhodes, 35, and Chris Martin, 36, have also left League One clubs – Blackpool and Bristol Rovers respectively.
Former Scotland goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin is maybe looking for one last club at the age of 38 after leaving Swansea City.
Not all free agents are veterans and Angus Gunn, who emerged as Scotland’s first-choice in goal during Craig Gordon’s injury absence, somewhat surprisingly is still searching for a new club after exiting Norwich City at the age of 29.
Former Norwich team-mate and current Scotland centre-half Grant Hanley, 33, has been released after a disappointing short spell with League One champions Birmingham City.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of midfield options, although Tom Cairney might not be for long as the 34-year-old is reportedly poised to join Wrexham as he ends 10 years with Premier League club Fulham.
Two other former Scotland caps, Stuart Armstrong, 33, another linked with Wrexham, and Barry Bannan, 35, are out of contract with Sheffield Wednesday, although a new contract offer is still on the table for the latter.
Jamie Lindsay has been released by Bristol Rovers, but fellow 29-year-old Liam Henderson is likely to have plenty of offers after equipping himself well during seven years in Italian football that have ended currently after Empoli’s relegation from Serie A.
Meanwhile, what odds a return to Scottish football for Paul Dummett, the 33-year-old Welshman who had a loan spell with St Mirren from Newcastle United but has exited Carlisle United along with Scottish midfielder Dylan McGeouch, 32, after relegation from League Two?
