Scottish Football Transfer News: Celtic interest in in-demand striker, Rangers forward leaves on loan, Hearts midfielder loan exit, VAR cost blow

It’s another big week in the Scottish Premiership with a full midweek round of fixtures with key games at the top and bottom of the league, as well as the hunt for European football and a place in the top six.

The league is hugely competitive with three points separating Celtic and Rangers in the title race and two points between St Johnstone and Dundee in the relegation battle.

Hearts are the only team without any strong competition. They sit 18 points behind second-place Rangers and 11 points ahead of fourth-place Hibs.

It is the middle of the league which is most competitive. Between fourth and tenth there are just five points. With Livingston hosting Dundee United and Motherwell facing Ross County on Wednesday it could easily change the dynamic of what is now a mini league within the division. Making it more exciting is that there are just five fixtures remaining – six for St Mirren – until the split.

Midweek also sees a big match in the Championship title race with Arbroath playing their game in hand at home to Partick Thistle, while the Challenge Cup semi-finals take place.

All of which will be played as mere background to the war going on in Ukraine. The Scottish FA, on Monday, issued their support of the country and offered to help anyway they can for the World Cup play-off due to take place later this month at Hampden Park.

Scroll down and click through for all the latest news and transfer speculation from around the SPFL and Scottish football.