CELTIC left it late to land Paris St Germain teenager Odsonne Edouard on a deadline-day loan – but Rangers were left frustrated as their pursuit of Jamie Walker ended without a deal.
Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers secured the extra firepower he has been looking ahead of his side’s glamour Champions League clash with Edouard’s parent club in two weeks’ time.
The 19-year-old’s name was first linked with a Parkhead switch earlier this week but Celtic wrapped up their move with just two hours to spare.
With chief marksman Moussa Dembele still injured, Rodgers has been desperate to find cover for his only other out-and-out frontman Leigh Griffiths.
However, Edouard – Celtic’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window – hopes he can be more than just an understudy.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Celtic, one of the world’s truly great football clubs, and I can’t wait to wear the famous Celtic jersey.
“I am really looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and we will work hard together to bring our fans as much success as possible.”
Celtic announce signing of striker Odsonne Edouard on loan from PSG
But there remains concern among the Parkhead faithful after Rodgers failed to land a centre-back to beef up a defence that has looked wobbly at times in during Dedryck Boyata’s recent absence.
And there was just as much irritation across Glasgow, where Rangers failed to push through a move for Walker.
Ibrox boss Pedro Caixinha had been trailing the Hearts playmaker all summer but baulked at the Jambos’ £1million asking price.
Talks resumed on Thursday afternoon, with the possibility of Gers offering up a cash sum as well as a player swap for the forward.
But despite hours of back-and-forth discussions no deal materialised.
Walker will likely end up at Ibrox yet, however, with the Light Blues confident they will get their man on a pre-contract come January.
Caixinha did add one more new face to his squad with a one-year loan swoop for Cardiff defender Declan John, while he was also able to off-load striker Joe Dodoo to Charlton on a six-month loan.
Former Ibrox defender Dom Ball beat the deadline by seconds to join Derek McInnes’ new-look Aberdeen squad when he joined the Dons on loan from Rotherham, while third-choice Reds frontman Jayden Stockley was shipped on to Exeter.
While the Walker talks stalled, Hearts did wrap up a couple of deals, securing Genoa wideman Manuel Milinkovic on a 12-month loan deal and midfielder Ross Callachan from Raith Rovers for an undisclosed fee.
Youngster Dario Zanatta headed in the opposite direction to Rovers on a 12-month loan, while defender Jordan McGhee was allowed to complete his move to Falkirk.
Milinkovic said: “I’m very pleased to have joined Hearts. I can’t wait to get started now. I’ve seen the stadium and it looks fantastic, I’ve also watched clips of Hearts games online and to see such a packed stadium is amazing. I can’t wait to play in front of these fans.”
Boyhood Jambo Callachan added: “I grew up watching Hearts and for them to come in with an offer for me, it’s a dream come true really.”
Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson enjoyed a profitable end to the window as his club banked more than £1million in transfer fees.
Defender Ben Heneghan’s move to Sheffield United netted the Steelmen £400,000, while they also landed another £750,000 profit from last summer’s sale of Marvin Johnson to Oxford.
The fleet-footed forward has clinched a £3million switch to Middlesbrough – with a quarter of that fee due heading to Fir Park as a result of a sell-on clause inserted into his U’s package.
And there could be further windfalls down the road. Press Association Sport understands Well chiefs have demanded a similar measure be written into the agreement that has taken Heneghan to Bramall Lane.
Robinson – who also fought off Oxford’s attempts to sign winger Chris Cadden – was quick to re-invest some of that jackpot as he set up deals for midfielder Liam Grimshaw and defender Peter Hartley.
Hibernian boss Neil Lennon missed out on Celtic’s Liam Henderson – but crucially was able to keep hold of Nottingham Forrest target John McGinn.
The Scotland midfielder’s brother Paul made his return north of the border after leaving Chesterfield as he joined up with Partick Thistle.
Hamilton also took the opportunity to strengthen their squad, signing Swansea’s former Scotland Under-19 forward Botti Biabi on a loan deal until January, while Dundee made a similar move for Shrewsbury striker AJ Leitch-Smith after tearing up Tom Hateley’s Dens Park contract.
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