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SPFL record tipped, Rangers bluff called, Celtic blockbuster predicted

This time, the January transfer window is under the spotlight, with Celtic and Rangers facing some potentially huge decisions.

Matt O’Riley’s £30million move remains the Scottish transfer record, but could a pair of stars be poised to smash it?

Then there’s January itself. Both have emerged as prized assets for their clubs, but could either be at risk of a big-money move when the window opens?

And finally, what blockbuster business could be on the cards? From record sales to shock signings, there could yet be some major movement on both sides of Glasgow.

Jonny McFarlane and Graeme Young give their answers to today’s three Burning Questions.

The £30m Celtic received for Matt O’Riley remains the Scottish transfer record. Will it survive the next two windows, and who is the player most likely to smash it?

Jonny McFarlane: It's a toss-up between Camilo Duran and Olwethu Makhanya. Both have been outstanding this season and should smash that glass ceiling. The Rangers man is hampered by the lack of European football, and English scouts in particular might struggle to raise too much enthusiasm for performances against what they see as 'Scottish dross'. That might allow Derek McInnes to hold on to his star for another season, but when the time is right, the club will surely scoop a record fee for a defender who has everything in his locker to be a success in the modern game.

Duran is more likely to go sooner. He's already got a superb Champions League record from his time at Qarabag and has continued that form, despite his team's struggles, at home and on the continent. His stay in Scotland will be short and the fee a record departure for a player who has a higher level in his game than Scottish football.

Graeme Young: I have been so impressed with Makhanya, but goals are what make the world go round in our beautiful game. Duran is a stick-on to go for big money. Scouts in England were well aware of the Colombia international before he signed for Celtic, and he brings a double whammy when it comes to his potential fee when it's time to depart.

His analytics are off the charts and he passes the eye test by making the difference in the biggest games. Duran can play multiple positions and appeals to clubs across Europe due to his versatility and knack for making the difference. Teams will likely curse themselves for not beating Celtic to the punch. However, they also won't baulk at paying at least four times what Celtic did when they forked out £6m to lure him from Azerbaijan.

Is there a fear both Olwethu Makhanya and Camilo Duran could be prime targets for other clubs in January? If so, are either, or both, at risk of being sold?

Jonny McFarlane: The Scottish game saw a £40m cash injection evaporate overnight when both Rangers and Celtic saw Youssef Chermiti and Alistair Johnston's potential transfers wiped out by injury. That outcome won't be forgotten by either club.

Rangers in particular will be stung by the big striker's injury, given the likelihood of cashing in for a record fee on their young striker, who had finally come good towards the end of the season. The Govan club also have recent, painful history of not taking big offers for star players and losing them down the line for nothing. If Rangers are to start matching Celtic as a selling club and make their player-trading model work, they need to start selling players. Losing anyone in the midst of a title race isn't ideal, but money talks.

With tens of millions in the bank, Martin O'Neill is under no pressure to sell anyone, but I'd be surprised if Duran isn't a player in a hurry. At 25 in February, he's got a short window where he's at an attractive age, something that won't be lost on his advisors, who will be seeing pound signs.

Graeme Young: Jonny nails it with that key point regarding both teams being burned in the summer. However, there's every chance both of these teams will be locked in a title battle which could go the distance. Makhanya looks one of the best finds in recent memory, with Duran not far behind.

Those two are almost certain to see out the season, but don't rule out a raft of loan-to-buy or temporary exits when the January sales start. Bojan Miovski is a prime candidate to explore opportunities elsewhere if Lawrence Shankland returns at full capacity.

And what about Sebastian Tounekti? The Tunisia international is cast in the wrong movie, and he's likely fourth choice on the left behind Yang, Jota and Callum Osmand. I know English Championship sides mulled a late move for him in the days before he left Hammarby for Celtic. That could be an option once again.

And finally, no sitting on the fence: give us one bold prediction for the January transfer window. A blockbuster sale, shock signing, record fee or something completely out of left field.

Jonny McFarlane: Celtic are always a hard club to predict. You'd have to imagine they will look to add starting quality to this flawed squad, but January is always difficult for that. A midfielder with legs to replace Engels will surely arrive.

At Ibrox, the one to watch out for is Manny Fernandez. He's had poor moments, but he's a data standout and any top-five league club looking for a central defender who's good in the air will have him near the top of their list of options. Make no mistake, clubs in big leagues are watching him.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if he ends up in the Premier League, where he also qualifies as homegrown despite his status as a Nigeria international. Will that be January? It's not what Rangers would ideally want, but a fee north of £15m would surely be enough.

Graeme Young: This is an easy one for me. Andrew Cavenagh is setting everyone up for a blockbuster January window. The American intimated it would be quiet for the Ibrox side, but I'm not buying it. The man who once revealed he had a live transfer data screen close by during signing season isn't likely to sit back and refuse to roll the dice if the title and, whisper it, a potential Treble are up for grabs.

Across the city, the transfer talk is rightfully centred around a long-running hunt for a proper defensive midfielder. However, I believe the most expensive signing of the window could be a big-money central defender.

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