Rangers scouts spotted after brand new Celtic transfer update
Rangers and Celtic scouts were both present as Kelty Hearts and Montrose played out a 0-0 draw in League One last Saturday.
Just three points separate Kelty Hearts and Montrose in the third tier, while both Rangers and Celtic are gearing themselves up for Sunday’s Old Firm derby.
The Light Blues are also preparing for Thursday’s Europa League round of 16 second-leg tie with Fenerbahce, following their impressive 3-1 victory in Istanbul last week.
A draw, or even a narrow defeat, would do for Barry Ferguson’s side as they strive to reach the quarter-finals, but Rangers will be keen to send the Ibrox faithful home with another victory.
Rangers send scouts to League One game amid Celtic transfer update
The Gers can slightly close the 16-point gap between themselves and Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic with a victory over their fierce rivals on Sunday.
| Scottish Premiership top two (11/03/2025) | Goal difference | Points |
| 1 Celtic | 70 | 75 |
| 2 Rangers | 33 | 59 |
Meanwhile the Daily Record [P52, 11 March] report that Celtic scout Tosh McKinlay watched Dundee United’s Owen Stirton, who is currently on loan at Montrose and has scored six goals in his last eight outings for the third-tier outfit.
The Gers also had scouts present at Montrose’s League One clash, while Light Blues youngster Blaine McClure is currently on loan with Kelty Hearts, who took on Stewart Petrie’s men on Sunday.
McClure is still just 18 and marked his first Rangers B team start with a goal during their 3-1 Old Firm triumph back in January.
Europa League progress is vital for Rangers
The Light Blues’ increasingly impressive Europa League campaign continued with last week’s 3-1 victory over Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.
But Rangers will know that they will have to put in yet another strong performance in order to progress to the quarter-final stages of the tournament.
An encounter with either Serie A giants Roma or La Liga outfit Bilbao would await Ferguson and co in the last eight, if they can navigate themselves past Fenerbahce.
Winning the Europa League would be an extraordinary feat for the Gers, amid the presence of sides such as the Premier League’s Manchester United and Tottenham in the competition.
However, achieving such success has become more necessary due to the fact that Rangers are enduring a woeful campaign domestically, and will not be able to catch Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Furthermore, the Light Blues lost to their Old Firm rivals via a penalty shootout in December’s League Cup final and were dumped out of the Scottish Cup by Championship side Queen’s Park last month.