Steve Clarke is poised to commit his long-term future to the Scotland national team, with discussions over a contract extension through to Euro 2028 at an advanced stage. The former Kilmarnock and West Bromwich Albion manager, who has overseen a period of sustained international relevance since taking charge in 2019, is set to be rewarded for guiding the Tartan Army to back-to-back European Championship finals and a first World Cup since 1998. The deal represents a strong statement of intent from the Scottish Football Association, reinforcing stability at a time when continuity is prized across the international game.
Securing Clarke until the 2028 tournament, which will be co-hosted by the UK and Ireland, allows for long-term strategic planning around the current core of players while integrating emerging talents for the 2026 World Cup cycle. Insiders suggest the final details of the contract are being ironed out, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks. The move extinguishes any lingering speculation linking Clarke with a return to club management and underscores the belief that he remains the right figure to build on recent progress.
Beyond the international setup, the Scottish transfer window is beginning to stir. Heart of Midlothian are reportedly monitoring Falkirk winger Calvin Miller, just months after a proposed switch back to Celtic collapsed. The 28-year-old, who originally came through Celtic's academy, has impressed in the lower leagues and could offer width and directness at Tynecastle. For Hearts, adding attacking depth is a priority as they look to consolidate a top-six spot and launch a deeper European run next season.
Celtic, meanwhile, appear committed to nurturing 20-year-old forward Callum Osmand within their own structure, rebuffing any ideas of a loan move for the 2026-27 campaign despite an injury-disrupted debut season in Glasgow. The decision signals that manager Brendan Rodgers and the coaching staff see Osmand as a project worth developing in-house, perhaps with sporadic first-team exposure rather than sending him out to the Championship. It is a vote of confidence that the youngster will hope to repay with fitness and form.
Another Celtic-related loanee, centre-half Maik Nawrocki, faces an uncertain summer. Hannover, where he spent the season on loan, missed out on promotion to the Bundesliga, severely denting their ability to trigger a permanent transfer reportedly set at £2 million. The Scottish champions remain open to discussions, but a return to Celtic Park appears increasingly likely unless another suitor materialises. The situation highlights the financial chasm between promotion and consolidation in the German second tier, and Celtic may need to reassess the 25-year-old's future.
Across Glasgow, Rangers are framing the upcoming transfer window as a cultural reset. The Ibrox club's Fan Advisory Board was told the strategy will "focus on improving leadership, mentality and squad chemistry, alongside addressing key positional needs." This follows a post-split campaign that attracted criticism from the same board, which noted "sentiment has deteriorated" and flagged the team's record against top-six opponents as a major worry. Winger Findlay Curtis is expected to be reintroduced to the first team after a productive loan spell at Kilmarnock, suggesting a youth-oriented approach under manager Danny Rohl.
While the Old Firm recalibrate, elsewhere in the Premiership players are on the move. Aberdeen winger Nicolas Milanovic looks set to depart just a year into a three-year contract after being told he does not feature in Stephen Robinson's plans. The 24-year-old's exit will free up space and wages, with the Dons likely to seek a replacement. Ross County, meanwhile, are eager to bring back winger Ryan Duncan on a permanent basis after his loan spell in Dingwall, although they face competition from League One clubs for the released 22-year-old.
The loan market continues to churn in peculiar ways. Motherwell recalled goalkeeper Aston Oxborough from his loan at Dunfermline Athletic to provide cover for their final Premiership match against Hibernian, only for the 28-year-old to immediately return to play in Dunfermline's Scottish Cup final—a testament to the convoluted logistics of end-of-season schedule clashes. In the Championship, former St Johnstone striker Makenzie Kirk is expected to head out on loan to a League One side after failing to nail down a regular starting role at Portsmouth. Meanwhile, Hibernian forward Elie Youan has publicly stated his desire to leave for the past two years, revealing that moves to Stoke City and Legia Warsaw previously collapsed. The 27-year-old is out of contract and his next step remains unclear.
Further afield, Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller has been identified as the most valuable player omitted from Scotland's World Cup squad, commanding an estimated £8.7 million valuation according to Transfermarkt. The 20-year-old's exclusion raised eyebrows, but his rising stock underlines the increasing depth available to Clarke—a depth that a prolonged contract should help exploit. Meanwhile, former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat, now back in charge of Curacao, refused to elaborate on his return but confirmed a friendly against Scotland ahead of their historic World Cup debut. The fixture adds an intriguing subplot to Scotland's preparation cycle.
In the dugout, the pressures of management have been laid bare. Dundee head coach Steven Pressley admitted he considered quitting during particularly "dark" moments this season, a stark reminder of the mental toll in a results-driven industry. At Stenhousemuir, Gary Naysmith was so eager to avoid deceiving his players that he asked Ayr United to announce his appointment as their new manager early—before the Championship play-off final—a move that speaks to the peculiar ethical dilemmas in the coaching carousel. As Scottish football braces for a summer of change, from boardroom decisions to player contracts, one thing is certain: the foundations are being laid for the next cycle, with Clarke at the helm. Based on reporting from BBC Sport.