Serhou Guirassy’s rise to prominence in the Champions League is a fascinating story and a stark reminder of the challenges Scottish clubs face in the transfer market. The Guinean striker, now leading the scoring charts in Europe’s most prestigious club competition with Borussia Dortmund, could have been wearing a Rangers shirt if things had worked out differently.

Back in January 2020, reports from France suggested that Rangers were one of several clubs interested in Guirassy while he was playing for Amiens. At the time, the striker had started to show signs of real quality, attracting attention from clubs across Europe. However, despite their interest, Rangers were ultimately priced out of a deal. Instead, six months later, Guirassy moved to Rennes in a transfer worth up to £13.5 million, a fee well beyond what Rangers could afford at the time. With no way to match that valuation, Rangers turned their attention elsewhere, signing Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten to strengthen their attacking options.

Fast forward to today, and Guirassy is proving to be one of the most lethal strikers in European football. His performances for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga earned him a big move to Borussia Dortmund in the summer, and he has wasted no time making his mark on the Champions League. With ten goals in just nine games, he is currently the competition’s top scorer, outshining the likes of Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski. The fact that Rangers were once in the mix for his signature but couldn’t get a deal done is another example of how Scottish clubs struggle to compete financially with teams from the top five European leagues.

This kind of “what if” scenario is nothing new for Scottish football fans. Over the years, both Rangers and Celtic have scouted or pursued players who later went on to become top-class performers elsewhere. The reality is that even though Scotland’s biggest clubs have strong scouting networks and can identify emerging talent, they often lack the financial muscle to turn that interest into a completed transfer. If a club from the English Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, or Ligue 1 enters the race, it almost always means the Scottish club will miss out.

For Rangers, missing out on Guirassy stings, especially given the alternative signings they made. Kemar Roofe, when fit, has been a solid player, but injuries have limited his impact significantly. Cedric Itten, meanwhile, never truly settled at Ibrox and was eventually moved on. In contrast, Guirassy has continued to develop into a world-class striker, showing that Rangers had identified the right kind of player but simply lacked the resources to make the move happen.

Celtic fans can also relate to this situation, having experienced similar frustrations in the transfer market. A prime example is Ivan Toney, who was available for a relatively modest fee while playing at Peterborough United. Celtic showed interest but hesitated, allowing Brentford to step in and secure the deal. Toney has since developed into one of the Premier League’s best strikers, earning England caps and being linked with moves to elite clubs like Arsenal.

Another painful example for Celtic is John McGinn. A lifelong Celtic fan, McGinn was keen on a move to Parkhead, but the club’s reluctance to meet Hibernian’s valuation saw Aston Villa swoop in. Since then, McGinn has become a key player in the Premier League and captains Aston Villa, leading them into European competition. Had Celtic acted more decisively, they could have had one of Scotland’s best midfielders in their ranks for years.

These examples highlight a crucial reality for Scottish clubs: recruitment decisions are make-or-break. Unlike clubs in England, who can afford to make transfer mistakes and correct them with another expensive signing, Celtic and Rangers must get their scouting and negotiations spot on. If they fail to secure the right players, it can have long-term consequences, as Rangers have seen with the Guirassy situation.

That being said, Celtic has had some brilliant success stories in the transfer market in recent years. Kyogo Furuhashi, for example, was signed for a relatively low fee but became a talisman for the team, scoring vital goals in domestic and European competitions. Reo Hatate is another prime example of a smart, well-timed signing. Arriving for a modest fee, Hatate has developed into one of Celtic’s most important players, showcasing the kind of vision and decisiveness that the club needs in its recruitment strategy.

However, for every Kyogo or Hatate, there have been mistakes. Celtic’s £5 million signing of Vasilis Barkas turned into a disaster, as the goalkeeper failed to adapt to Scottish football and was eventually loaned out before leaving the club. Albian Ajeti, signed from West Ham for £4.5 million, was another costly error, as he failed to make any significant impact before being moved on.

The financial gap between Scottish clubs and those in Europe’s top leagues is only growing, making it even more crucial for clubs like Celtic and Rangers to act swiftly and decisively when targeting players. If they hesitate, or if a wealthier club enters the race, they will almost always lose out.

Guirassy’s story is a reminder of how important it is for Scottish clubs to be bold in the transfer market. Had Rangers managed to secure him back in 2020, their squad might have looked very different today. Instead, they missed out, and now they can only watch as he lights up the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund.

For Celtic, the lesson is clear: if they want to continue competing at the highest level, they must remain aggressive in their recruitment strategy. Whether it’s targeting emerging talent from markets like Japan, South America, or lower leagues in Europe, the club needs to act quickly and decisively.

The next Guirassy is out there somewhere. The question is, will Celtic or Rangers be able to secure him before he becomes too expensive?