Three Scottish Premiership stars who will be out of contract in the summer
With the New Year fast approaching, the focus will once again shift on the transfer window. Clubs will look to make use of the window to strengthen their squad, while also letting go of players who are not part of the plans.
The January window also opens up the avenue for clubs to negotiate deals for players who are in the final year of their contracts. Players, who have their deals expiring at the end of the season, will be able to sign pre-contracts with interested parties over a Bosman transfer in the summer.
There are a number of players in the Scottish Premiership who will be turning free agents at the end of the season. Here, we look at the top three players from the Scottish top-flight who will be available on a free transfer in the summer;
Scott Brown (Celtic)
The 33-year-old has had a spectacular career with Celtic, laden with trophies season after season. Having moved to Celtic from Hibernian in 2007, Brown has gone on to make 484 appearances for the Hoops, scoring 37 goals and setting up 58 more. He has won as many as 8 Scottish Premiership titles along with 4 Scottish Cups and 5 Scottish League Cups in the process.
An influential presence on the field, the former Scotland international is a natural leader on the field and in the dressing room. Despite his age, still has plenty left to offer. A tenacious midfielder, Brown will be a solid addition to any team he opts to join, provided he decides to leave the Scottish champions at the end of the season.
Dedryck Boyata (Celtic)
Another Celtic player on the list, Boyata tried hard to force through an exit in the last summer window but clearly, it did not materialize. Having fallen out of the squad due to his antics, the Belgium international has worked his way back into the team and has once again established himself as a mainstay at the back for the Hoops.
The centre-back, who turns 28 later this month, has plenty of experience at this level and was integral to the Bhoys’ consecutive domestic treble triumphs. The former Manchester City man was also a part of the Belgium squad that finished third in the summer’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The 27-year-old is, in all likelihood, playing his last season with the Glasgow outfit. A return to England could be on the cards for the Belgian and he would be a solid addition to any Premier League side.
Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen)
Aberdeen’s captain is another name whose contract runs out in the summer. The 27-year-old joined the Dons, ironically on a free transfer, from Inverness back in 2015 and has gone on to establish himself as a key part of the team under manager Derek McInnes.
Since joining the club, the Scotsman has managed to make 157 appearances, scoring 10 goals and setting up 27 more. A versatile midfielder who can play on the left side, in the No.6 role as well as at left-back, the three-time capped Scotland international would add great value to any team he would join.
His drive, determination and energy have endeared him to the fans at the Pittodrie and it goes without saying that he will be an enticing option for numerous teams to look at.
