Scottish football's summer is heating up on multiple fronts, with Rafael Benitez's name suddenly in the frame for the national team job, Rangers chasing reinforcements in Scandinavia and the Balkans, and Celtic on the verge of landing their first signing of the window.

Benitez and the Scotland vacancy

The most eyebrow-raising piece of business involves no transfer fee whatsoever. Former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez has declined to close the door on becoming Scotland head coach, telling TalkSport he is open to the idea of international management. Whether the Scottish Football Association pursue that conversation remains to be seen, but the noises out of the Benitez camp are enough to keep his name firmly in circulation. It would be a headline appointment, to say the least.

Rangers chase midfield options

At Ibrox, the focus is firmly on bolstering the engine room. Rangers have seen a £5.3m bid for Tromsø midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl knocked back, according to iTromsø via the Daily Record. The 20-year-old was clearly a priority target, and the rejection suggests the Norwegian club are in no mood to make things straightforward.

Discussions are also continuing over Partizan Belgrade captain Vanja Dragojevic. The 20-year-old defensive midfielder is tied down in Serbia until 2030, so Partizan hold all the cards in any negotiation. Sky Sports report talks are ongoing, though no agreement is imminent.

The Chermiti stand-off

Rangers are equally firm on the other side of the equation. Lyon are reported to be preparing a bid worth roughly £17.1m — including add-ons — for striker Youssef Chermiti, with separate reports from Foot Mercato suggesting an initial offer of £12m plus £3.4m in variables is being structured. Rangers, for their part, are understood to value the 22-year-old at around £25m and have no intention of letting him leave this summer. The market will decide whether Lyon blink first.

Celtic move quickly for Duran

Over in the east end of Glasgow, Celtic appear to have done their summer business early and cleanly. Camilo Duran, a 24-year-old Colombian winger from Qarabag, is on his way to Glasgow to complete a move to Celtic Park. The fee is reported at an initial £3m rising to a potential £6m, with another figure of £5.5m floating around depending on the source. A four-year contract is expected to be signed, and the player was anticipated in Scotland by Thursday. It is a done deal in all but the paperwork.

Other movement across the Scottish game

Elsewhere, Notts County are set to bring in Dundee striker Emile Acquah after the clubs agreed terms in principle for the 25-year-old. Queens Park Rangers have registered an interest in Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior, who is 30. Greenock Morton have taken French Under-20 international Noah Lahmadi on trial following his release by Toulouse.

Scotland-capped midfielder Barry Bannan has departed Millwall and will return to Sheffield Wednesday, ending his spell in south London at 36. And in a significant piece of academy business, Liverpool have confirmed they are signing Celtic's Scotland Under-16 captain Dara Jikiemi on a five-year deal, a move confirmed by Fabrizio Romano.

Finally, Hibernian forward Martin Boyle has spoken candidly about the mental health impact of being left out of Australia's World Cup squad, revealing he sought counselling after missing the cut. It is a timely and important reminder that the emotional cost of elite sport does not always stay behind closed dressing-room doors.

Frequently asked

Is Rafa Benitez going to be Scotland manager?
Benitez has not ruled out taking the Scotland head coach job, saying he is open to international management. No formal offer has been reported, but his comments have put him firmly in the conversation.
Who is Camilo Duran and why is he joining Celtic?
Camilo Duran is a 24-year-old Colombian winger who plays for Azerbaijani club Qarabag. Celtic have agreed a deal worth an initial £3m rising to around £6m, with the player travelling to Glasgow to sign a four-year contract as the club's first summer signing.
Who is Jens Hjerto-Dahl and why do Rangers want him?
Jens Hjerto-Dahl is a 20-year-old Norwegian midfielder who plays for Tromsø. Rangers had a £5.3m bid rejected for him, suggesting he is a top target for Ibrox as the club looks to strengthen its midfield options this summer.