Scottish Premiership market values: Maeda & Kühn rise at Celtic, mixed results at Rangers

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86 players updated 

©TM/IMAGO

The Scottish Premiership has received its latest market value update at Transfermarkt and in total no less than 86 players across the Scottish top-flight have seen their market values increase or decrease based on their form over the course of the last three months. All but one of the league’s 12 clubs saw their squad market value increase, with Celtic enjoying the biggest increase as their squad gained €6.5 million. The new market values now mean that the Parkhead squad is worth €130.2m – which now means their squad is worth €50.8m more than their cross-city rivals Rangers. 

Celtic continue to rise after European run

To no great surprise, Celtic’s uncontested league run and impressive form in Europe has led to a number of star players increasing in market value. The most notable of which was Daizen Maeda, whose market value has increased by €3 million to €11m. The 27-year-old forward has been instrumental in Brendan Rodgers’ side this season and as such he gained more market value than any other player in this update. Alongside the Japanese star, Celtic also saw an increase of €2m to Nicolas Kühn’s market value, which now puts the German forward on €12m, as well as a €1.5m increase for Paulo Bernardo, whose market value increases to €6m. Other first team stars like Arne Engels (+€1m), Alistair Johnston (+€1m) and Jota (+€1m) also received notable upgrades due to their good form. 

“While Celtic’s dominance in the Scottish Premiership is something fans of Scottish football have come to expect in recent years, it was the club’s success in Europe that has led to many of their players getting notable upgrades,” said Stefan Bienkowski, Lead Content Manager for Transfermarkt UK. “In particular, Maeda and Kühn both showed little trouble raising their game to a far higher standard and as such both players should be subject to serious offers from England and in Europe’s other top leagues in the summer.” Alongside the multiple increases in market value, Celtic also saw a number of back-up players like Liam Scales, Maik Nawrocki and Anthony Ralston all lose €500k in market value, while older players Callum McGregor and Jeffrey Schlupp both lost €1m in market value. 

Mixed results for Rangers in frustrating season

With 16 points separating Celtic and Rangers, it came as no surprise when the Ibrox club elected to sack manager Philippe Clement and replace him with interim boss Barry Ferguson. The club’s poor form has been reflected in downgrades to a number of first team players, with Nedim Bajrami, Ridvan Yilmaz, Danilo and Robin Pröpper all dropping in market value by €500k. “It’s clear that Rangers are in the middle of a difficult rebuild,” noted Bienkowski. “And while they did well to move on a number of older players last summer, there are still some senior figures in the Ibrox squad that continue to frustrate fans from one week to the next.” 

However, despite their poor form in the Premiership, Rangers remain competitive in the Europa League and saw a number of young players increase in market value. Central midfielder Mohamed Diomande saw his market value increase by €1m to €7m, while fellow young prospects Jefté and Hamza Igamane saw their market values increase by €1.5m. Vaclav Cerny, who joined Rangers on loan from Wolfsburg as the club’s most valuable player, also saw his market value increase by €1m to €9m thanks to his 17 goals and seven assists in all competitions for the Ibrox club this season. 

Exciting young prospects blossoming throughout the league

Outside of Scottish football’s two Glasgow giants, there were a number of players at the other Scottish Premiership clubs that received market value increases due to good form. For example, Dundee’s 22-year-old attacking midfielder Lyall Cameron saw his market value increase by €500k to €1.5m thanks to 10 goals and eight assists for the Dens Park club. Just across the city, Dundee United can also celebrate a €425k increase to Sam Dalby’s market value, following the centre forward’s 13 league goals for the Arabs this season. And they aren’t the only young players that have enjoyed impressive seasons in the Scottish top-flight in recent months. 

A Kilmarnock, 19-year-old striker Bobby Wales saw his market value increase by €300k to €400k. On a similar note, Hibs defensive midfielder Nectarios Triantis saw his market value increase by €250k due to his impressive performances for the Leith side, while St Mirren’s 17-year-old winger Evan Mooney (+€250k), Hearts 18-year-old forward  James Wilson (+€200k) and Dundee United central midfielder Luca Stephenson (+€200k) all pointed to a number of exciting young talents that are learning their trade in Scottish football this season.  

How Transfermarkt market values work

The Transfermarkt market values are calculated, taking into account various pricing models. A major factor is the Transfermarkt community, whose members discuss and evaluate player market values in detail. In general, the Transfermarkt market values are not to be equated with transfer fees. 

The goal is not to predict a price but an expected value of a player in a free market. Both individual transfer modalities and situational conditions are relevant in determining market values. Examples of this are listed below. Transfermarkt does not use an algorithm (you can find the detailed market value definition here).