From Vardy to Hagi - Scottish Premiership free agent options?
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?
Best free options released in Premiership
But who are the main options for clubs looking for players who have experience of the Scottish top flight last season?Kieran O'Hara is the only goalkeeper available "free" with Premiership experience last season, the 29-year-old Englishman having made 18 appearances in his second season with Kilmarnock.Looking for a right-back? James Brown is arguably the pick of the bunch as the 27-year-old Irishman made more starts than Londoner Michee Efete as they suffered relegation together with Ross County.On the left of defence, Dominic Thompson, who made 11 Motherwell starts after arriving from Blackpool in January, could just be the preferred choice ahead of Barry Douglas, who has left relegated St Johnstone, given the Englishman is 11 years younger than the 35-year-old former Scotland cap.Would anyone be willing to reunite Mexican 29-year-old Antonio Portales with Joe Shaughnessy after their partnership in central defence helped Dundee avoid the drop on the 32-year-old Irishman's return from injury?In midfield, wingers who performed well last season are in short supply, with all the quality being in the centre.Top billing, despite Rangers' inconsistent season, are Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence, although both appear destined to continue their careers outside Scotland given their wage requirements - the Romania international on the European mainland, with the Welshman yet another linked with Wrexham.More affordable options would be Jorge Grant, the 30-year-old Englishman exiting Hearts, or - as defensive midfielders are in short supply - 27-year-old Macedonian Davor Zdravkovski, who was with Motherwell.Up front, of course, there is Shankland, but it appears no rival club has yet been able to wrench him from Hearts' grasp.Could 32-year-old England-born Northern Ireland cap Kyle Vassell be persuaded to have another season in the Premiership after leaving Kilmarnock?Or is Benjamin Kimpioka worth another chance in the Scottish top flight given the 25-year-old Swede showed so much promise before his form collapsed after potential big-money transfers failed to materialise?
Free agents after leaving top-flight clubs
Aberdeen: None.Celtic: None.Dundee: Scott Fraser, midfielder; Antonio Portales, centre-back; Joe Shaughnessy, centre-backDundee United: David Babunski, midfielder; Allan Campbell, midfielder; Louie Moult, striker; Meshack Ubochioma, winger; Tony Watt, forward.Falkirk: None.Heart of Midlothian: Jorge Grant, midfielder; Barrie McKay, winger; Lawrence Shankland, striker.Hibernian: Maksymilian Boruc, goalkeeper; Jair Tavares, winger; Nohan Kenneh, midfielder.Kilmarnock: Kieran O'Hara, goalkeeper; Kyle Vassell, striker. Livingston: Michael Nottingham, centre-half.Motherwell: Moses Ebiye, striker; Harry Paton, midfielder; Dominic Thompson, left-bwck; Davor Zdravkovski, defensive midfielder.Rangers: Adam Devine, right-back; Tom Lawrence, midfielder; Ianis Hagi, midfielder; Kieran Wright, goalkeeper.Ross County: Ricki Lamie, centre-half; Alex Samuel, forward; Michee Efete, right-back; James Brown, right-back; Scott Allardice, defensive midfielder; Charlie Telfer, midfielder; Ryan Leak, centre-half; George Harmon, left-back.St Johnstone: Benjamin Kimpioka, striker; Nicky Clark, striker; Cammy MacPherson, midfielder; Barry Douglas, left-back.St Mirren: Dennis Adeniran, midfielder; Elvis Bwomono, centre-half.
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