With summer target lists likely already being drawn up, could these two Hearts players be worth a look for Celtic and Rangers?
With Rangers now back in the top flight, normal service in Scottish football has been resumed, as the league’s two biggest teams once again occupy the top two spots. However, with a massive 25 points between them, the gulf in ability is striking.
Mark Warburton, who guided Rangers to promotion back to the top flight last season, has been under pressure this season for allowing Celtic to carve such an enormous gap between the two sides in the league, and will likely already be looking at new faces to bring to Ibrox in the summer.
Celtic however have a different challenge on their hands. With so many of their players, such as Moussa Dembele, getting a lot of attention from clubs in England, Brendan Rodgers may well be keeping an eye on possible replacements he may need to bring to Celtic Park when the summer window opens.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers with Rangers manager Mark Warburton
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So, could two potential targets be ready and waiting in Edinburgh? Ian Cathro’s Hearts currently sit fourth in the table behind Aberdeen, and some of their players have been catching the eye this season.
The first, is their talented young right-back, Callum Paterson. Breaking into the first team squad in 2012, Paterson has gathered many admirers, both for his impressive defensive displays and for scoring 10 goals in 24 appearances for Hearts before a knee injury that ended his season early.
With both clubs needing to improve their defences, and providing he recovers from his injury, could a defender like Paterson, who offers something going forward as well as defensively, be a perfect signing for Celtic and Rangers?
Heart of Midlothian’s Callum Paterson celebrates
Another player who might be a good target for Rangers and Celtic is Hearts’ Jamie Walker. The 23-year-old, who also came through the Hearts youth system, has made over 170 appearances for the club, scoring 40 goals from the wing.
After his impressive double against Rangers in midweek, clubs are likely to have been alerted as to just how much Walker has progressed over the last few years. And now, with both Celtic and Rangers often favouring a 4-3-3 formation, Walker would be a perfect fit, as a player who can play on both the right flank and the left.
Hearts’ Jamie Walker celebrates scoring
Could this duo be a perfect fit at both Celtic and Rangers? Would fans be happy to see them bring two players from Hearts to Celtic Park or Ibrox? Which club needs them more? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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