Celtic and Rangers most valuable players in combined XI as James Tavernier misses out

©TM/IMAGO

The penultimate Old Firm clash of the league season takes place on Sunday and the stakes couldn’t be much higher in the Scottish Premiership title race. Celtic travel across Glasgow to Ibrox with a one-point lead over their fierce rivals at the top of the table, but Rangers have a game in hand.

The result of the Old Firm this weekend could be pivotal to deciding who lifts the trophy in May with Celtic aiming to reclaim their title and Rangers eyeing the treble. It’s not been plain sailing for Brendan Rodgers on his return to Parkhead after enjoying complete dominance during his first spell at Celtic. Conversely, Philippe Clement has transformed Rangers’ fortunes by reviving their title aspirations since replacing Michael Beale in October and they lifted the first silverware of the season with the League Cup. No team outside of Glasgow has won the league title since Aberdeen in 1985 and, unsurprisingly, the Old Firm dominate the most valuable players currently playing in Scotland. 

Who are the most valuable Celtic and Rangers players

Celtic’s squad has the highest market value in Scotland at €116.6 million, which is €7.8 higher than Rangers (€108.8m). As illustrated in the graphic above, Celtic have six players in the top ten most valuable players in the Scottish top-flight with Rangers having four. Before Fábio Silva (€13m) joined Rangers on-loan from Wolves in January, Celtic occupied the top six spots with Kyogo Furuhashi leading the way at €14m. It’s widely accepted that Celtic have more sellable assets within their squad - especially Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate - while Rangers’ best performers this season are all in their thirties - John Lundstram, James Tavernier and Jack Butland.

Combined Celtic and Rangers XI

Formulating a combined XI from Celtic and Rangers will always prove controversial given the fierce rivalry between the teams. It’s arguably the biggest derby in the United Kingdom but based purely on Transfermarkt’s market values, six Celtic players and five Rangers stars make the combined eleven. Jack Butland has been a revelation since moving north and he eclipses fellow former England international goalkeeper Joe Hart. While James Tavernier became the top scoring British defender in history last weekend, Celtic’s Alistair Johnston (€8m) is valued €1m higher than the Rangers captain due to the age differential. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Connor Goldson form the centre-back partnership with Greg Taylor at left-back. 

In the 4-4-2 formation, Celtic’s prized assets O’Riley and Hatate take the two central midfield roles while Rangers occupy the winger positions. Todd Cantwell (€8.5m) received a €0.5m upgrade in the March update and teammate Abdallah Sima is on the right flank. The two most valuable players in Scotland form a strike partnership valued at €27m in Kyogo and Silva.