WITH less than two months to go until the end of the Ladbrokes Premiership season, there are dozens of players whose futures remain far from certain.
Inverness lost midfielder Greg Tansey to rivals Aberdeen on a pre-contract agreement on Wednesday and every top-flight side is still at risk of losing their stars for nothing at the end of the campaign.
We have selected a team of the best players with contracts expiring soon, including some of the league’s finest talent and hottest prospects.
Read more: The Scottish Premiership stars with contracts running out this summer
Who do you want to see your club tie down on a new deal before it’s too late?
Goalkeeper
Craig Samson, Motherwell
The 32-year-old has had an iron grip on the number one shirt at Fir Park this season, playing every minute of league action for the Steelmen so far.
Despite a less than impressive record during the 2016/17 campaign – Samson has conceded 67 goals in 35 games and kept just five clean sheets – he offers a wealth of top-flight experience, having made almost 200 Premiership appearances.
Right-back
Callum Paterson, Hearts
One of the brightest talents for club and country, Paterson’s season was cruelly brought to an end early when he suffered a serious knee injury in December.
The setback ended speculation of a January switch to England for the 22-year-old, but with a return to the pitch expected around October the Scotland international will not be short of suitors.
Centre-back
Clint Hill, Rangers
The veteran centre-back was brought in by Mark Warburton last summer and has been one of the few new arrivals to impress in a Light Blues shirt this season.
Despite his advancing years, the 38-year-old has become a key part of the backline at Ibrox and has shown his threat at the other end too by notching six goals in all competitions.
Centre-back
Efe Ambrose, Celtic
The error-prone Nigerian was shipped out on loan to Hibernian in March after failing to feature in Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers’ plans and looks certain to be heading out of Parkhead.
But at the age of 28 and with a wealth of domestic, European and international experience to draw on, Ambrose is far from past it - as he has demonstrated with an impressive start to his spell at Easter Road.
Left-back
Emilio Izaguirre, Celtic
The Honduras international is another Hoops defender who looks set for the exit door, having fallen behind rising star Kieran Tierney in the pecking order for the champions.
The 30-year-old, who has 88 caps for his country, has spent the last seven seasons at Celtic and has made a contribution this term with 16 appearances, including a trio of Champions League outings while Tierney was sidelined.
Central midfielder
Sean Welsh, Partick Thistle
Like Paterson, Welsh’s season has been blighted by injury after the midfielder required surgery on a metatarsal injury in February.
The knock, which the 27-year-old is expected to return from next month, curtailed an impressive run of form in which he had chipped in with five goals and six assists for Alan Archibald’s side.
Central midfielder
Ryan Jack, Aberdeen
Greg Tansey’s signing from Inverness on Wednesday put Jack’s future at Pittodrie in further doubt, with the 25-year-old yet to pen a new deal with his boyhood club.
The Dons captain has been an ever-present at the heart of midfield for Derek McInnes’ side this season, but could see his ten-year spell in the north east come to an end if Aberdeen don't act soon.
Right winger
Sam Nicholson, Hearts
Another promising Jambos youngster with an uncertain future. A knee injury sustained in October resulted in a three-month layoff for the Scotland Under-21 international after an impressive start to the campaign in which the winger scored three goals and created three assists in eight games.
Nicholson returned in January, but he is yet to hit the net under Ian Cathro or agree terms to extend his spell in Gorgie.
Attacking midfielder
Danny Swanson, St Johnstone
Swanson has been instrumental in another fine season for the Perth club that has seen them rise to fourth place in the table.
The former Dundee United and Hearts midfielder began the campaign in stunning form, notching 12 goals before the turn of the year. Although he hasn’t found the net since, Saints will do everything in their power to keep the 30-year-old at McDiarmid Park.
Left winger
Niall McGinn, Aberdeen
The Dons and Northern Ireland star is another who looks set for a departure after manager Derek McInnes admitted on Thursday that the winger is on the way out.
McGinn has been a key man once again for the Pittodrie outfit this term, providing 13 goals and 11 assists to help them pull clear of Rangers in the battle for second place.
Centre forward
Kenny Miller, Rangers
Another Gers veteran with plenty still to offer, Miller has rolled back the years this season to contribute nine goals for the Ibrox club.
The 37-year-old has been linked with moving into a coaching role but is determined to continue spearheading Pedro Caixinha’s side into next season if terms are agreed.
Substitutes
Gary Woods, Hamilton Academical
Ash Taylor, Aberdeen
Andraz Struna, Hearts
Kris Commons, Celtic
Lionel Ainsworth, Motherwell
Scott McDonald, Motherwell
Alex Schalk, Ross County
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