Morelos, Porteous and Nouble among 11 Scottish Premiership standouts free to talk to clubs in January

The season might only be in its infancy but recruitment is a year-round game nowadays. Clubs will already be battling it out behind the scenes to plan for next season and we're just three months away from the January window - and all the fun that comes with it - after all.

With it comes the chance to table bids and strengthen squads immediately but it also opens the window of opportunity to pounce on pre-contracts. Any player out of contract next summer will be fair game from January 1 and clubs up and down the UK will be eyeing the market intent on landing a freebie or two.

It's a well-utilised market in Scotland and the most proactive clubs tend to benefit - Rangers announced the arrival of John Souttar six months in advance while Alan Forrest is already looking an impressive addition for Hearts.

Here, Record Sport have run the rule over 11 players who will be catching the eye of scouts up and down the country.

It's been an up-and-down start to the season for Hearts but Robbie Neilson will be satisfied overall. His team go into the international break third in the league and with a fighting chance of Conference League qualification - with a double-header against Fiorentina to come.

It's been a different story for out-of-favour Mackay-Steven though who has fallen firmly down the pecking order since the arrival of Forrest. Now 32, his next contract will probably be his last big one, so he'll have to field offers and think carefully. As one of the most naturally talented players of his generation in Scotland, though, he likely won't be short on offers even if he struggles to revive his Tynecastle career.

Kent's contract situation will likely be causing some anxiety at Rangers as the closer we get to January, the