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Published Jun 18, 2026Updated Jun 191
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Hearts seek overseas coach after McInnes departure; Scottish football transfer roundup
Heart of Midlothian are targeting an overseas head coach appointment before pre-season training next week. Scottish football clubs are active in the transfer market, with Celtic recruiting backroom staff while pursuing and losing goalkeeper targets, Rangers seeking Dundee defender Luke Graham, and various players attracting European interest.
Quick Facts
- Hearts seeking new head coach
- Derek McInnes departure from Hearts
- Martin O'Neill recruiting Maloney and Fotheringham
- Celtic considering Iheanacho's future
- Iheanacho offered to Vasco da Gama
Heart of Midlothian are targeting a new head coach appointment before their first-team squad returns for pre-season training next Thursday, following Derek McInnes' departure from the club. The Edinburgh side is considering at least three candidates from overseas as they move to fill the managerial position.
Meanwhile, Celtic's manager Martin O'Neill is working to strengthen the club's backroom staff by appointing Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham as part of his coaching team with the Scottish Premiership champions. The club continues to evaluate their playing roster, with uncertainty remaining around Nigeria striker Kelechi Iheanacho after Celtic has yet to trigger an option to retain him. A Brazilian television report claims Iheanacho has been offered to Vasco da Gama.
Celtic's pursuit of Go Ahead Eagles goalkeeper Jari De Busser has ended in disappointment after the player opted to join Dutch club AZ Alkmaar for family reasons. In scheduling news, Celtic may open their title defence on a Monday evening due to Commonwealth Games events at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.
Across Scottish football, Rangers maintain interest in Dundee centre-back Luke Graham, though the 22-year-old has attracted attention from over 40 clubs throughout the UK and Europe. Aberdeen forward Marko Lazetic, also 22, is generating interest from European suitors. Elsewhere, central defender Besir Iseni has agreed to join Livingston on a two-year contract following the expiry of his deal with KF Dukagjini.
Topics
Why This Matters
Scottish football clubs' managerial and transfer activities signal the competitive restructuring of the league. Hearts' overseas coaching search reflects global recruitment trends in smaller European leagues, while Celtic's pursuit of premium talent and Rangers' defensive investments directly impact title contention. For fans and fantasy football participants, these moves indicate which teams are strengthening or weakening before the season begins.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireReports published on Hearts' managerial search and Scottish football transfer activity