Seventeen Old Firm players, some with vast experience at international level and most in possession of a glittering array of medals, are now united by the fact that they could all be moved on by Rangers or Celtic in the January transfer window.
It is a squad that could feasibly challenge for the SPL title.
Seventeen Old Firm players, some with vast experience at international level and most in possession of a glittering array of medals, now united by the fact that they could all be moved on by Rangers or Celtic in the January transfer window.
The squad does not include those who have already gone or whose departure is imminent. Rangers' Alan Gow signed for Wolves yesterday while team-mate Kris Boyd is on the verge of a move to Alex McLeish's Birmingham.
The reasons behind the possible departures are diverse. Some, like Lee Naylor, Andrius Velicka or Massimo Donati, have been deemed not good enough, others like Barry Ferguson and Madjid Bougherra are being courted by suitors, while the likes of Aiden McGeady and Bobo Balde may need to leave due to unsolvable internal disputes.
Some will fetch substantial transfer fees while, in other cases, their respective clubs will be happy just to shift them from the wage bill.
- Goalkeeper Mark Brown
Reasons for possible departure Imminent arrival of Lukasz Zaluska as back-up to Artur Boruc.
Possible destinations Another SPL team. Dundee United, Kilmarnock, and Falkirk could all do with goalkeeping reinforcements.
Fee Nominal After establishing himself as first-choice goalkeeper for both Motherwell and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Brown has been reduced to the occasional outing behind the largely immovable Artur Boruc at Celtic. Has done little wrong when he has appeared but may now feel the time has come to become a No.1 again, especially with Lukasz Zaluska arriving in the summer to provide extra competition.
- Right-back Christian Dailly
Reasons for possible departure Fringe player unlikely to feature much Possible destinations Championship or League One team, preferably in the London area Fee None Dailly was a surprise signing in the last January transfer window but his versatility proved vital as he helped fill a number of gaps during a hectic conclusion to Rangers' season. Has featured just twice this season, however, and will surely be allowed to move on, especially with his family still down south.
- Left-back Lee Naylor
Reasons for possible departure Inconsistent performances Possible destination Championship side.
Fee Nominal A left-back was probably on the wish list of most Celtic supporters' letters to Santa as Naylor's reputation continues to slide on the back of a series of underwhelming performances. The player would probably be happy to return down south too and a move seems likely as soon as Celtic sign a replacement.
- Central defence Bobo Balde
Reasons for possible departure Because he's finally ready to move on Possible destinations England. Lower Barclays Premier League or Championship Fee None One of the greatest sagas in recent Celtic history may be finally coming to an end. The club have tried desperately to shed his exorbitant income from their wage bill for several years now only for Balde to sit tight, take his money, and play with the youth team.
Birmingham City may yet end that impasse and Celtic would let him go for free and probably drive him to the airport, too.
- Central defence Madjid Bougherra
Reasons for possible departure Impressive showing has alerted suitors Possible destinations Newcastle United or Marseille Fee £4.5m Another transfer window, another Rangers centre-half attracting covetous glances down south. Bougherra only arrived at Ibrox in the summer but Newcastle United have seen enough to consider trying to lure him to the Premier League, despite getting little return on the £8m they paid for Jean-Alain Boumsong four years ago.
- Right midfield Chris Burke
Reasons for possible departure Has failed to nail down a regular place after a succession of injuries Possible destinations A top-six SPL side - Hearts, Aberdeen, Dundee United - or the Championship Fee Depends on destination. Clubs in England would likely pay around £250,000 Once Rangers' fresh-faced great hope but the years have not been kind to Burke.
Out of contract in the summer and with no sign of a new deal appearing any time soon, the winger may be allowed to move on to reignite his career elsewhere. Could undoubtedly still do a job but only if he can stay fit, which has proved a problem in recent years.
- Central midfield Barry Ferguson
Reasons for possible departure Interest from Newcastle United Possible destination Newcastle Fee £3m The Rangers captain pledged to finish his career at Ibrox after returning from an unhappy stint with Blackburn Rovers but it has not stopped reported inquiries from Newcastle. Would help ease Rangers' groaning wage bill but also seriously undermine their aspirations of regaining the SPL title.
- Central midfield Massimo Donati
Reasons for possible departure A stranger to regular first-team football Possible destination A return to Italy, possibly back to AC Milan Fee £1m Has failed to make the impact expected of him following his much-trumpeted arrival last summer and could return to Italy with Barry Robson, Paul Hartley, Scott Brown and Marc Crosas all ahead of him for a berth in central midfield. Could replace the injured Rino Gattuso back at AC Milan.
- Left midfield Aiden McGeady
Reasons for possible departure Civil unrest Possible destinations Mid to lower-end Barclays Premier League, Germany, Spain Fee £6m+ McGeady's exclusion from the squad to face Dundee United last weekend would suggest the end is nigh for the winger. There should be no shortage of suitors although Bayern Munich are unlikely to be one of them with the Germans confident that Franck Ribery will stay put despite Real Madrid's interest.
- Striker Andrius Velicka
Reasons for possible departure Unused and unwanted Possible destination Hearts Fee Nominal A curious summer signing who has made just four appearances and none since August.
May feature more following the impending departure of Kris Boyd and the exit of Jean- Claude Darcheville or Rangers could choose to cut their losses and move the Lithuanian on, with a return to Hearts possible.
