Rangers and Celtic take same approach over exciting striker moves

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Glasgow Rangers are reportedly keen to bring Karlan Grant to Ibrox, but their Scottish Premiership rivals are also keen on a League One striker.

Celtic and Rangers have put many of the top clubs in England to shame by flying out of the traps in the January transfer window, with Gers boss Steven Gerrard completing four deals while their rivals have managed to get three across the line.

On paper, Rangers appear to have the upper hand with the business that they have done so far. Signing Jermain Defoe on loan has the potential to be an inspired piece of business, while Steven Davis rejoining is a shrewd move from the Light Blues.

The pre-contract deals for Glen Kamara and Jordan Jones could also prove to be very smart signings in the coming years.

Celtic meanwhile, have loaned Timothy Weah and Oliver Burke and signed forward Vakoun Issouf Bayo on a permanent basis.

Weah and Burke are arguably potential wildcard signings for the Hoops. If they pay off, Defoe and co will have a huge task on their hands as they look to end Rangers’ wait to win the Scottish Premiership title.

So perhaps, at this stage, it is advantage Rangers. But neither side appears to be done in the market, with both clubs linked with exciting striker moves in recent days.

The Scottish Sun reported this week that the Gers want Karlan Grant on a pre-contract deal from Charlton, while League One rivals Sunderland are in danger of losing Josh Maja in similar circumstances to Celtic, according to the Chronicle.

It perhaps sets up a fascinating battle between the two Old Firm clubs given the similarities between the two targets. Both are out of contract in the summer, and set to move on from England’s third tier.

There is little more than a year separating the two players in age, while Maja’s goal tally is fractionally better this season with the Hoops target scoring 14 in 24, while Ibrox-linked Grant has 13 in 26.

If they both head to Glasgow in the summer, it will be very interesting to see which side of the Old Firm appears to get the better deal in both the short and long-term pictures.