How are Scottish Premiership sides shaping up after transfer window?

Many fans were disappointed with the Scottish deadline, but a number of clubs will feel better after the transfer window closed.

After Kyogo Furuhashi’s transfer to Rennes, Celtic’s transfer activity was always going to be closely watched.

Jota’s return is unlike-for-like, but if he performs similarly to what Luis Palma did on loan at Olympiakos, the club will have added real quality.

However, manager Brendan Rodgers made it clear he wanted to come out of this window stronger. Jeffrey Schlupp’s loan move from Crystal Palace offers top-level experience and depth after Alex Valle’s departure, but Celtic supporters, and perhaps their manager, expected more.

There’s no doubt they tried to bring in a striker. If there was no established direct replacement, why was Kyogo allowed to leave? The trade-off may have been that the move was key to Jota returning.

Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda, who have recently returned, are now in place, along with Johnny Kenny and Daniel Cummings, who both appear to be leaving.

With only 14 league games remaining, a sizable lead, a blockbuster Bayern Munich double-header, and the final day of the Scottish Cup, one might think they have a reluctance to acknowledge that they have enough after having exhausted their options.

According to Rangers’ CEO, Patrick Stewart made it clear that this window would only receive one or two incoming calls. Despite being in the Europa League’s last 16, that was.

Rafael Fernandes signed earlier in the window, but Lyall Cameron didn’t start until the summer, and the model of bringing in prospects to develop persisted.

One or two high earners have departed, which was necessary, plus Zak Lovelace who had just begun to break into the first-team picture.

The main objective of Dundee United was to keep Sam Dalby until the end of the season.

With United in third place in the table, they’ll feel confident in delivering at least a top-six place, despite a number of sides waiting if there’s a significant decline in form. This is due to the addition of Allan Campbell, who brings midfield strength.

Aberdeen fans can’t say their manager hasn’t been backed in this window. Six brand-new individuals have been added, each with the potential for defensive strength and greater threat.

They must quickly assemble those components, or they could just fall off the table. Incredibly, early-season strugglers Hibernian are now hot on their heels with other clubs not far off.

Deadline-day signing Oday Dabbagh will be relied upon to bring much-needed goals.

The Tynecastle side will have a lot of confidence as they look to continue their upward trend with five goals in three starts, which clubs want from January recruits.

Holding onto your prized possessions occasionally opens up a window for success. Motherwell did that in keeping the injured Lennon Miller, despite interest.

The Fir Park club made a big splash by signing three goalkeepers and signing Luke Armstrong, who is already off the mark.

With wins starting to arrive and eight brand-new faces significantly enhancing St Johnstone’s chances of escaping relegation, things have changed in Perth. Suddenly, they have a fighting chance.

Fans at St Johnstone might look back on this time as a turning point in the club’s recent history because manager Simo Valakari has been supported and if new hires are better suited to his style of play.

Elsewhere, Hibernian were more focused on reducing a bloated squad. Given their recent success, fans will be much more accepting of that.

The trio of St. Mirren, Kilmarnock, and Dundee will likely be extending their gaze.

All three added to their squad, as did 11th-placed Ross County earlier in the window. A few wins relieve all kinds of pressure, but a subpar spell could be very detrimental. They continue to be in that risk zone.