If Celtic and Rangers strikers want to earn big summer moves then big performances this weekend are essential.
Celtic and Rangers strikers Moussa Dembele and Alfredo Morelos will be playing to earn their respective teams a big win this weekend – but there is also a personal motivation for them to each perform.
Both players were linked with big money moves away from the Scottish Premiership sides in the recent transfer window, but no teams were willing to meet the transfer fees required.
Dembele had been tipped to leave Celtic all season but when the transfer window came, his injury interrupted start to the season meant there were no takers at the club’s £20 million plus asking price.
If a top English or European side are going to spend big on Dembele this summer, they will want to see him make an impact in this Old Firm encounter.
Dembele has a hat-trick in the tie before, but this was in 2016, and teams will want to see he has built on this early spark, and is not stagnating.
Morelos is in his first season in Scotland and was subject of interest from Chinese Super League sides last month.
Rangers were never going to sell mid-season, but they could be tested in the summer if he keeps up his goalscoring form.
It would have to be a big offer for Rangers to sell, above £10 million, but if a team is going to be convinced to pay it, they will want to see him break his Old Firm duck.
Rangers and Celtic should be more than just stepping stones, they are huge clubs each with big ambitions of their own, but Morelos and Dembele are potentially capable of playing at an even higher level.
If they do want to earn big summer moves, then this weekend is the time to earn it.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
