Rangers complete double swoop on transfer deadline day

Rangers completed a double swoop on transfer deadline day as Celtic left their fans sweating going into the final hours of the window.

The Light Blues confirmed the arrival of striker Youssef Chermiti from Everton and then Marseille’s Canada international centre-back Derek Cornelius.

Former Sporting Lisbon forward Chermiti is reported to have cost Rangers £8million with the potential for the fee to hit eight figures. The 21-year-old did not score in his 24 appearances for Everton.

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Centre-back Cornelius, 27, has joined on a season-long loan with Rangers holding the option to make the transfer permanent next summer.

Chermiti came in as last season’s top goalscorer, Cyriel Dessers, completed his move to Panathinaikos.

However, Nicolas Raskin looked set to stay despite being left out of the squad for Sunday’s goalless draw with Celtic.

The William Hill Premiership champions were in a race to bolster their attacking options after Adam Idah completed his move to Swansea.

Swansea announced the signing of the Irish striker for a “significant undisclosed fee” which is reported to be about £6million, about two-thirds of the sum Celtic paid Norwich last summer.

The confirmation increases the pressure on the Celtic board to deliver at least one centre-forward after manager Brendan Rodgers insisted on Friday he could not sanction Idah’s transfer without a guaranteed replacement.

Attempts to sign Anderlecht forward Kasper Dolberg appeared to have failed amid reports the Dane has agreed a return to Ajax.

Rodgers had confirmed on Friday he would be in the market for two central strikers if Idah departed and Celtic have been linked with a loan move for Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana, who has had loan spells with Union Berlin, Burnley and Turkish side Goztepe in the past two seasons.

Celtic appear close to the signing of 23-year-old Tunisia winger Sebastian Tounekti after reports in Sweden claimed Hammarby had accepted a fresh offer worth up to £5.5million.

However, winger Yang Hyun-jun’s proposed move to Birmingham has apparently fallen through.

One player who has departed Celtic is centre-back Stephen Welsh. The 25-year-old centre-back became Motherwell’s 12th and final summer signing after signing a season-long loan deal.

Shayden Morris was the first move on the final day of the transfer window in the William Hill Premiership as Aberdeen’s Hampden hero departed for Luton.

The wide man, whose cross led to Kasper Schmeichel’s own goal in the Scottish Cup final win over Celtic, joined the League One side for an undisclosed fee.

Reports claim Ester Sokler could also be on his way out of Pittodrie, while Fletcher Boyd has been strongly linked with Aston Villa and Aberdeen have been linked with a move to take Kevin Nisbet back from Millwall.

Livingston were the most efficient Premiership club on deadline day, announcing two Premier League loan signings before any of their rivals got deals over the line.

David Martindale has brought in 21-year-old West Ham right-back Junior Robinson and 20-year-old Manchester City midfielder Mahamadou Susoho for the season. Miles Welch-Hayes, who made just three appearances in two years with the Lions, has left the club by mutual consent.

Falkirk signed 20-year-old Swansea defender Filip Lissah on a season-long loan.

Hibernian are hoping to complete the loan signing of Scotland forward Lyndon Dykes from Birmingham, while Elie Youan is close to joining Legia Warsaw.

Hearts announced the departure of Musa Drammeh to Portuguese side SCU Torreense on a permanent deal and are not expected to bring anyone else in.

St Mirren have loaned midfielder Oisin Smyth to Partick Thistle until the end of the season, which could allow manager Stephen Robinson to sign one of his strike targets.

Dundee manager Steven Pressley stated they were “assessing the market” on Sunday while Dundee United and Kilmarnock finished their incoming business in advance, although Kenyan midfielder David Onana left Tannadice.