Chris Sutton Slams Celtic’s Transfer Decision as Rangers Hold Firm on Defender’s Valuation

Scottish Premiership Transfer Fallout: Rangers and Celtic’s Latest Moves

With the Scottish Premiership on pause until next weekend, attention has shifted to the aftermath of the winter transfer window.

Both Celtic and Rangers managed to secure some important signings throughout January and early February, but discussions have already turned toward the upcoming summer window.

As speculation continues to build and major activity is expected at the end of the season, let’s take a look at some of the latest reports and rumors surrounding Glasgow’s biggest clubs.

Rangers Hold Firm on Rıdvan Yılmaz’s Asking Price Amid Ongoing Talks

Rıdvan Yılmaz’s future remains a key talking point following the significant interest shown in him during the recent transfer window.

The defender has been at the center of much speculation, particularly with reports suggesting that Trabzonspor had approached Rangers regarding a potential deal.

Although no agreement was reached in January, Yılmaz remains a highly sought-after player in Turkey.

Beşiktaş emerged as a serious contender for the 23-year-old, reportedly willing to offer around €3 million (£2.5m) to bring him back to his homeland.

The club, currently managed by former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, saw Yılmaz as a valuable addition. However, Rangers had a firm valuation in mind, and Beşiktaş’s offer did not meet their expectations.

Now, according to Turkish journalist Arda Özkurt, Galatasaray appears to be leading the race to sign Yılmaz. In a recent social media update, Özkurt stated:

“Galatasaray continues negotiations with Rangers for Rıdvan Yılmaz. The club wants to sign him on loan, while Rangers prefer a permanent transfer or a loan deal with a mandatory purchase option. Rangers are holding out for €6 million (£5m).”

Rangers remain firm on their asking price, unwilling to lower their valuation. The lack of agreement with Beşiktaş, despite their £2.5 million bid, indicates that the Ibrox club will not settle for less than what they believe Yılmaz is worth.

Chris Sutton Criticizes Celtic’s Transfer Strategy

While Celtic succeeded in bringing Jota back during the winter window, many fans and pundits have been left puzzled by the decision to sell Kyogo Furuhashi without securing a replacement in advance.

The Japanese forward’s departure was a controversial move, dividing opinion among supporters and experts alike.

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton is among those questioning the club’s transfer strategy.

Writing in his Record Sport column, Sutton expressed his frustration over the handling of the situation:

“Once again, Celtic fans are left wondering what went wrong in the transfer window. Brendan Rodgers openly stated that he had known for months about Kyogo’s desire to leave and that a replacement was needed. Yet, nothing was done in time.

This wasn’t a last-minute situation like Moussa Dembélé’s unexpected exit on deadline day. Celtic had plenty of time to prepare for Kyogo’s departure, so how did they allow him to leave without securing a new striker?”

Sutton also highlighted the situation surrounding Kieran Tierney, who was keen on a return to Celtic but remained at Arsenal due to his club’s reluctance to let him go:

“Just ask yourself—why isn’t Kieran Tierney back at the club right now? He wanted the move but instead remains stuck making five-minute cameos for Arsenal.

The reason is simple: Arsenal refused to let him go, and he had no choice but to accept it. So why wasn’t the same approach taken with Kyogo? If Celtic weren’t sure about signing a replacement, they should have told him to wait.”

While acknowledging the significant fee involved in Kyogo’s sale, Sutton dismissed the notion that financial constraints influenced the decision:

“I understand that there was big money involved, but Celtic are not exactly struggling for cash. By letting him leave, they revealed their desperation for a new striker, which in turn drove up the prices of potential targets.

It was a complete misstep in negotiations—rookie stuff, to be honest.”

Looking Ahead

With the summer transfer window fast approaching, both Celtic and Rangers will need to refine their strategies to avoid similar issues.

While Rangers focus on securing the best possible deal for Yılmaz, Celtic must ensure they don’t leave themselves short again when it comes to squad depth and key positions.

The coming months will be crucial for both clubs as they aim to strengthen their squads and prepare for another competitive season