At the top end of the Premiership, Celtic and Rangers have relatively few players who are out of contract this summer. Aberdeen, Hearts and St. Johnstone have done much of their business already. The other seven clubs will inevitably be slower to make offers, at least until their top flight status is secure.
But here's how I expect things to play out with some of the more prominent names who are currently without deals for next year...
TEN PLAYERS WHO ARE DEFINITELY OFFSKI
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| Efe Ambrose's Celtic career is all over bar the shouting |
The one confirmed deal so far - the winger will join another load of Dons - the Milton Keynes variety - at the end of the season after signing a pre-contract
NIALL MCGINN (ABERDEEN)
Press reports today suggest the Northern Irishman will turn down a new deal in order to have another crack south of the border. It's a big blow to Aberdeen.
EFE AMBROSE, KRIS COMMONS, EMILIO IZAGUIRRE, KOLO TOURE (CELTIC)
Ambrose and Commons have two appearances for Celtic between them this season and none since July. Toure seemed to steady the defensive ship when he arrived but his waning powers have become increasingly exposed and he's been increasingly marginalized in the last few months. In contrast, Izaguirre saw plenty of action when Kieran Tierney was injured and Brendan Rodgers will probably want to keep him, but the lure of a move back to Honduras or to MLS will probably be too strong.
CALLUM PATERSON (HEARTS)
The Scotland international was in line for a decent move south until he wrecked his knee, but indications are that he will gamble on his previous form being enough to earn him that big deal and he will rebuff any offers from the Jambos to hang around.
GREG TANSEY (INVERNESS CT)
Tansey has never been the same since ICT pulled the plug on a move to Aberdeen last winter and he's dismissed any chat of new contracts; I wouldn't blame him if he was still bitter. The Dons are unlikely to be still interested, but other clubs will surely like his range of passing. (edit - within an hour of this being posted, Tansey had signed a pre-contract with Aberdeen)
PHILIPPE SENDEROS (RANGERS)
A catastrophic signing who has played just twice in the last five months. If the rumours of a five figure weekly wage are true, then wow.
KENNY VAN DER WEG (ROSS COUNTY)
The full-back has apparently been offered a two year deal but claimed Dingwall was too boring and he can't understand the local accent.
TEN PLAYERS WHO WILL BE HANGING AROUND
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| Ryan Jack is Aberdeen's captain - surely he'll stick around |
RYAN JACK (ABERDEEN)
It's a surprise that this hasn't been sorted yet, given that he's a local boy and club captain; it would be an even bigger surprise if it doesn't happen. Jack might get offers from elsewhere, but it would be a shock were he to leave.
ASH TAYLOR (ABERDEEN)
Less of a slam dunk than Jack as he remains prone to massive fluctuations in form, but the centre-back has been solid recently so expect him to stay at Pittodrie too.
EOGHAN O'CONNELL (CELTIC)
O'Connell has always looked solid enough when given the chance - but never gets a run in the team. He will surely be given a contract extension if only because it means Celtic can command a fee for him (as they did a few years ago with Jackson Irvine) if he subsequently moves on.
GARY WOODS (HAMILTON)
Not that Woods has been all that outstanding, but he's beaten out Norwich loanee Remi Matthews to be Accies' no.1 keeper and so it would be a surprise if they chucked him.
AARON HUGHES (HEARTS)
According to newspaper reports, the Northern Irishman will be offered an extension. Given he's 37 and hasn't impressed since joining in January it seems an odd move by Hearts, but hey ho.
GARY DICKER (KILMARNOCK)
A serviceable defensive midfielder last year, Dicker has looked invigorated by a recent move to central defence. In a young squad, his experience is also invaluable.
SEAN WELSH (PARTICK THISTLE)
Injury-prone for so long, once Welsh finally got fit he always seemed like the extra defensive midfielder that Alan Archibald really should ditch for an attacker. But this season he's been great, so much so that he might have other suitors.
KENNY MILLER (RANGERS)
Now 37 though still very effective, Miller will surely have to take a paycut to stay at Ibrox, but he still won't get a better offer from elsewhere. The choice is pretty much to agree to reduced terms or retire.
CRAIG CURRAN (ROSS COUNTY)
Curran isn't by any stretch the best forward in the league, but there's a place in any manager's heart for a guy who will run through brick walls if asked. If he's finally shaken off his concussion problems then County will surely keep him about the place, especially if Liam Boyce is likely to leave.
TAM SCOBBIE (ST. JOHNSTONE)
Not always a regular in Perth, but the former Falkirk defender remains a useful squad player at left-back and centre-back and is expected to get a new deal.
TEN PLAYERS WITH UNCERTAIN FUTURES
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| Sam Nicholson has been linked with Rangers |
A regular in the top flight with Inverness and then the Dark Blues for more than six years now, Ross has fallen dramatically out of favour with Paul Hartley after being a first choice last season; the manager might look for an upgrade.
JESUS GARCIA TENA (HAMILTON)
Accies' forgotten man. The Spaniard is out with a cruciate ligament injury and probably won't play again before the summer, so a new deal must be up in the air.
SAM NICHOLSON (HEARTS)
The Cathro revolution could lead to some interesting personnel decisions at Tynecastle, but it would be a shock if Hearts didn't offer something to Nicholson...not least because the winger is still young enough that they'd get compensation if he moved instead.
JOSH MEEKINGS (INVERNESS CT)
A few weeks ago I'd have said Meekings was a dead cert to leave. He's spent six seasons at Inverness and he's entitled to spread his wings a bit and try his luck with a bigger club. However his season (and the last one) have been blighted by knee problems which might put off suitors; he may have to hang around in the Highlands for a bit longer until his fitness problems are behind him.
JORDAN JONES (KILMARNOCK)
The winger has shown flashes of talent in some games and had bugger all impact in others; one suspects he'll stay on if Lee McCulloch becomes manager permanently.
KEITH LASLEY (MOTHERWELL)
Lasley remains a housewives' favourite, and he'll always be a legend at Fir Park, but the legs are finally beginning to go. 38 in September, is it time to hang up the boots?
SCOTT MCDONALD (MOTHERWELL)
McDonald missed out on the chance to return to Australia in January, but that opportunity will surely come up again in the summer. He nearly left 'Well last year for Hibs before having cold feet, but his s
second spell at Fir Park could be about to end at last.
CLINT HILL (RANGERS)
Despite being 38, Hill has been Rangers' best central defender this season by miles. The biggest handicap to a contract extension is not his age (remember how David Weir kept going?) but his high wage.
PAUL QUINN (ROSS COUNTY)
Quinn has spent increasing time on the bench, partly because of mediocre form and partly because of internal goings-on in Dingwall. His time in the Highlands looks to be up.
DANNY SWANSON (ST JOHNSTONE)
Saints remain favourites to keep Swanson, but Hibs have also shown an interest. It would be a big blow to Tommy Wright if Swanson was to leave Perth for a second time.
Of course, a list of out of contract Premiership players can be found at http://nareystoepoker.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page.html. Enjoy!
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