£6m deal, £12m flop: Celtic and Rangers dominate SPFL top 10 signings

In recent years, English Premier League It may be stunted Scottish Premier League In terms of spending. Even teams near the bottom of the division can attract top talent to England because of the money made from TV deals and matchday revenues that teams north of the border cannot match.

until Rangers and Celticwho have spent huge amounts of money on players recently, are unable to keep up with the lavish spending taking place in the Premier League.

Over time, this financial gap will continue to increase, and nowadays, players are turning to the old company as a springboard to further their careers, both in England and abroad.

Despite this, both Rangers and Celtic have made some expensive signings over the past 25 years, and with that in mind, we've looked at Scotland's top ten record signings.

10

Mikel Arteta

Barcelona to Rangers (£5.8m)

Mikel Arteta He came through the academy at Barcelona, ​​and spent time on loan at Paris Saint-Germain before moving on Rangers in 2002 for £5.8 million.

He helped the club win the treble during his first season, and it was clear that the Spaniard would not stay in Scotland for long. In fact, he joined Everton in 2005 and spent the rest of his career in the Premier League, going on to play for Arsenal.

Of course, he is now in charge of the Gunners as he bids to end their two-decade wait for a Premier League title this season.

9

Chris Sutton

Chelsea to Celtic (6 million pounds)

A few weeks after taking charge, Martin O'Neill He spent £6m to sign Chris Sutton from Chelsea, breaking the club's transfer record in the process.

The Englishman formed a dynamic duo with Alan Shearer at Blackburn Rovers when they won the Premier League title in 1995, but his spell at Chelsea failed to create much of a spark.

Overall, he spent five-and-a-half seasons at Parkhead before returning to England to play for Birmingham City and Aston Villa. He can now be found on Sky Sports as an pundit on all things Scottish football.

8

John Hartson

Coventry City to Celtic (£6 million)

In a bizarre case, Rangers could have signed John Hartson the previous year, but he failed a medical and the deal was cancelled.

Fast forward a year later and Martin O'Neill It was splashed with around £6 million To bring the Welsh to Scotland. He spent five years at Celtic, winning several titles and reaching the UEFA Cup final in 2003 before moving to England to finish his career, where he spent time with West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City.

Hartson also played for Arsenal early in his career, but his best spells came north of the border.

7

Cameron Carter Vickers

Tottenham to Celtic (6 million pounds)

After a successful loan spell at Parkhead during the 2021/22 season, he joined Celtic Subsidiary of 6 million pounds sterling To lure Cameron Carter-Vickers to the club ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Since then, the American defender has emerged as one of the regulars in the squad as the club has won three Premier League titles.

He recently signed a contract extension until 2029 and the £6m fee appears to have turned into a bargain.

6

Michael Paul

Everton to Rangers (£6.5m)

Under Dick Advocaat, Rangers' spending was lavish, to say the least, culminating in a win for the Gers Spending £6.5m to sign the left-back Michael Ball from Everton in 2001.

He was one of the most sought-after defenders in the country, but his time at Rangers wasn't exactly a success. Injury kept him out of the 2002/03 season while he was… He participated in only 71 matches For light blues.

A better period came at Manchester City as he returned to full fitness, retiring in 2011.

5

Christopher Julian

Toulouse to Celtic (7 million pounds)

Christopher Jullien became the second most expensive signing in Celtic's history when he joined in 2019 from Toulouse Fees are in the region of £7 million.

went to He played only 62 matches for Parkhead before leaving in 2022 to join Montpellier, where he has emerged as a key player for the Ligue 1 side since his arrival.

4

Ryan Kent

Liverpool to Rangers (£7.5m)

After a successful loan spell, Ryan Kent moved to… Rangers in 2019 for £7.5mIt is the largest sum the club has paid for a player in nearly 20 years.

It initially looked like money well spent, but a poor final season at Ibrox saw the winger leave for nothing when his contract expired in 2023. He moved on to Fenerbahce, but was released earlier this season after a somewhat fruitless spell. In Turkey. The winger is currently without a club.

3

Odsonne Edward

Paris Saint-Germain to Celtic (£9 million)

Odsonne Edouard scored three goals against Rangers during his loan period in the 2017/18 season, leading the team. Celtic will pay £9 million On his signing that summer.

It was a club record fee, and the Frenchman impressed at the club before moving to Crystal Palace In 2021 for £14 million. He has spent the previous three-and-a-half seasons in the Premier League following his move from Parkhead, with Edouard currently on loan at Leicester City.

2

Arne Engels

Augsburg to Celtic (£11m)

Celtic They broke their transfer record by spending £11m To sign Arne Engels from the German League in the summer of 2024.

11 share goals In his first 21 appearances, it suggests money has been well spent, although time will certainly tell on that, especially considering the amount spent on the midfielder.

1

Torre Andre Flew

Chelsea to Rangers (£12 million)

Rangers broke the Scottish transfer record by signing Toure Andre Flo in 2000 for a fee It is believed to be around £12 million.

A goal on his debut against Celtic could have been the start of a fantastic spell in Scotland, but in all honesty, Rangers have not seen the best in someone they spent £12m on.

He returned to England in 2002, joining Sunderland, before his career with Sogndal ended in 2012.