Ex-Rangers star wants return, competition faced for duo - Transfer bulletin

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Your January 8 transfer window update. Rangers News delivers updates concerning Nikola Katic, Marko Soldo, Arif Aiman Hanapi, Joe Gelhardt and Vaclav Cerny.

Nikola Katic Rangers return

This one came about when Craig Moore raised it – hinting he was putting the centre-half to Rangers in his role as an agent.

Moore insisted the Bosnia international would be the ideal signing for Gers as he fits the profile of centre-back they currently need.

It is now being reported that Katic wants the return to Rangers and is making it his priority.

• READ MORE:£3m ace may regret Rangers snub as he's yet to start a game since admitting Ibrox interest

Marko Soldo competition

Soldo is one of the two Croatian midfielders being linked to Rangers after we exclusively revealed their interest in him.

But they now face serious competition with the news La Liga side Real Betis are also looking at Soldo.

The Spanish top flight isn’t exactly a tough sell to players but Gers can perhaps take comfort from the financial difficulties of the Seville side.

Arif Aiman Hanapi

Malaysian winger Hanapi is being billed as a potential replacement for Vaclav Cerny when his loan expires and he heads back to Wolfsburg.

They now face competition from Iran with reigning champions Persepolis FC interested.

However, Rangers would be favourites because they have deeper pockets and also because Perespolis’ foreign player quota is currently full, so they would have to do some wheeling and dealing before anything could be done.

Joe Gelhardt frontrunners

There appears to be a new frontrunner for the signing of Joe Gelhardt from Leeds, and it’s not Rangers.

Hull City are said to be in talks with their Championship rivals with the striker keen on the move across Yorkshire.

A number of other Championship clubs, along with the Light Blues, are keen with Leeds set to sanction a loan. But it appears to be the Tigers who are winning the race

Vaclav Cerny latest

Rangers loanee Vaclav Cerny has opened up on his future about half way through his temporary switch from Wolfsburg.

Gers do not hold an option to buy and the Czech winger admits that makes his future uncertain.

Cerny is enjoying his football at Ibrox and performing well, and knows that if he keeps that up he will have more options.

Philippe Clement has previously admitted Rangers might not be able to afford to sign him permanently.

Mulligan/Cameron/Shankland

Rangers have been told to sign three players from Premiership rivals – Josh Mulligan and Lyall Cameron at Dundee and Lawrence Shankland at Hearts.

All three are available on free transfers in the summer and can be signed in pre-contracts right now.

Andy Halliday has previously talked up Cameron for Rangers but has now added Mulligan in there, insisting he is an “athletic monster.”

While Tony Watt insists Shankland would guarantee Rangers 20 goals a season.