Celtic strengthen at Dundee United's expense
The last time Celtic paid money to another Scottish club for a player? August 2010, when Anthony Stokes signed from Hibs. It's not a market they tap often, and a cynic might wonder if the signing of Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven was as much an attempt to weaken Dundee United as to strengthen Ronny Deila's squad. The latter's arrival wasn't much of a surprise, given that he had already agreed to move to Glasgow in the summer, and Celtic have been linked with Armstrong for a while.
£1.8 million seems like a lot of money for Armstrong, but there was reported interest from down south too; if he had stayed at Tannadice for the rest of the season, and finished the campaign strongly, his value might well have got up into the Ryan Gauld range, especially if he attracted a few more suitors.
It will be intriguing to see how Deila fits them in. Armstrong is a great all-action midfielder, but his tremendous bursts forward to support the front players tend to work better in open games; will he have as much impact against Scottish opponents who sit in and defend? Meanwhile, GMS has all the tricks but doesn't always have an end product to go with them. This season, Celtic have used the likes of Anthony Stokes, Stefan Johansen, Callum McGregor and James Forrest in the wide areas. Is Mackay-Steven good enough to dislodge any of them?
Aberdeen make a statement
The last time Aberdeen paid a transfer fee larger than the estimated £275,000 for Kenny McLean? 1999, for the forgettable Rachid Belabed. Armageddon, huh? McLean has been unplayable since Gary Teale took over St. Mirren and started playing him just off a striker. Unfortunately for the Buddies, he had a minimum fee release clause in his contract which Aberdeen triggered, which is why he moves for only a fraction of what Armstrong cost Celtic.
The signing of McLean, and the pre-contract agreed with Graeme Shinnie, are a real declaration of intent from Aberdeen. They fancy that, with Rangers still in disarray, that they can establish themselves as Scotland's second force. They're building a squad with far more depth than the other Premiership clubs (Celtic excluded, of course).
Muirhead move is an intriguing one
The Dons weren't the only diddy team splashing the cash, either. Dundee United used some of the cash they received to sign Kilmarnock's highly-rated teenage striker Robbie Muirhead - who was actually being targeted by Celtic too. One report suggested the Bhoys eased the Armstrong move through by agreeing to leave Muirhead alone. The forward has impressed only in patches this season, not helped by not getting a run of games from Allan Johnston. Magic inconceivably prefers Lee Miller up front. United also wanted Scott Allan back from Hibernian - which is remarkable given the cloud under which he left Tannadice a few years ago - but that bid was rejected.
Press reports have been conflicting regarding the length of Muirhead's contract, and whether he was only tied up to this summer or to the next. But a fee of £150,000 seems rather cheap for a talented youngster. Would Kilmarnock not have been better trying to resign him, and then at worst get a development fee from his next club? Especially given that they signed a grand total of no-one at all in January...
What impact will deadline day have on the relegation battle?
McLean's move could have a profound impact on the battle to avoid relegation. St. Mirren had already brought in James Dayton for the rest of the season, and can still call on Stephen Mallan and John McGinn in midfield, but it's a huge hole to fill. They brought in Emmanuel Sonupe on loan on deadline day, but it would be foolish to expect much from the 18 year old Spurs attacker.
It was no surprise that Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough was doing his best Harry Redknapp impersonation; heck, even they were paying transfer fees - £50,000 to Kidderminster for winger Marvin Johnson. If that wasn't exciting enough, they signed Plymouth reserve striker Nathan Thomas and brought in two more players on loan, taking their total for the season to six. Curiously, one is Sheffield United keeper George Long, which suggests Baraclough isn't happy with Dan Twardzik between the sticks. There's little to whet the appetite though, and it doesn't appear that they've successfully replaced the departed Henrik Ojamaa.
As for Ross County, they had already done their business (rumours of a move for Cliftonville's Joe Gormley proved unfounded). It'll be interesting to see how they get on once their squad have managed to learn each other's names.
Will Mike Ashley's loanees help or hinder Rangers?
Next month, Mike Ashley will be accused by the SFA of having rather more influence over Rangers than he should. Bringing in five Newcastle United players on loan probably hasn't done his case much good. I'd like to know who is paying them - are their parent club covering the wages, or are Rangers contributing, using the money loaned to them by, er, Mike Ashley? Just a thought.
Interestingly, the chap who runs SPLStats pointed out that Remie Streete, one of the loanees, may be ineligible for the same reason that Hatem Ben Arfa isn't allowed to play for anyone for the rest of the season. The SFA have remained tight-lipped on this so far, however.
Oddly given their financial problems, the Gers completely failed to move anyone out on deadline day, despite interest in Dean Shiels and Nicky Clark. So the new boys join a squad that already contains twenty players aged over 21. Bizarre.
It's not long since Rangers fans were terrified that Ibrox would be renamed by Mike Ashley. A more pressing concern now is that he changes their name - to Newcastle United Reserves.
Lawrie Spence (LS) has ranted and spouted his ill-informed opinions on Narey's Toepoker since September 2007. He has a life outside this blog. Honestly.
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