The Mike Ashley connection appears to lie behind a bulk loan deal of young players from Newcastle to Rangers.

Five young Magpies - including England youth tyro Gael Bigirimana and one-time hot prospect Haris Vuckic - have agreed to move to Ibrox on loan until the end of the season.

Vuckic is a 22-year-old attacking midfielder. The Slovenian, whose sole international cap came in a 1-1 friendly draw against Scotland in 2012, has made 18 appearances for Newcastle and also had loan spells with Rotherham and Cardiff. He arrived at St James' Park six years ago.

Swiss teenage defender Kevin Mbabu has also beeen loaned from the Magpies, along with 20-year-old English defender Remie Streete and Northern Ireland international Shane Ferguson.

Rangers' Scottish Championship title rivals Hearts have signed Dutch-born midfielder Kenny Anderson from Jupiler League side RKC Waalwijk.

The 22-year-old, born to a Scottish father, joins the Jambos for a nominal fee, on an 18-month deal, having made 17 appearances for RKC this season, scoring four goals.