I'll be reviewing the three most expensive acquisitions by each club. Dictated by either transfer fee or the wages that they're paying them. As the current champions, i thought it was only right that we started with them.

Fashion Sokala

Gerard began his recruitment drive way back in May, signing Zambian striker Fashion Sokala on a pre-contract agreement from Belgium side.

Sokala was really impressive in the 2021 Jupiter pro league, contributing to 15 goals in 26 starts as decaster boys finished fourth in the regular league season. So, what does he bring to the side? What's clear from his top line numbers is that Sokala does his best work inside the box with an impressive 2.3 out of his 3.3 shots per 90 coming from inside the penalty area. Only three players were more active inside the penalty area across the league for this metric. However, the 24 year old does need to work on his composure with a shot accuracy last term of 36.8 percent, giving him the 13th best conversion rate of the league's 15 leading marksman.

Ranger striker kemar roof by comparison hit the target 46 of the time in the SBFL last season. With over one key pass per 90, Sakala is also a capable if unspectacular creator. Clocking five assists over his last two league campaigns which is the same as Alfredo Morelos. Although, with just 17 passes completed per 90 last term he'll have to brush up his link at play in a possession-heavy side like rangers. Where he'll likely be expected to drop deep or to drag his opponent out wide if the opposition are packing their own box.

Overall in the past three seasons so Sokala's numbers have trended up and if he makes steady progress this season. He might prove a worthwhile replacement for Alfredo Morelos, who looks likely to move on in the next 6 to 12 months. Especially given as his contract expires in 2023.

Celtic's most expensive summer recruit this season is none other than Kyogo Furuhashi. Who joined from Japanese side vissel kobe for 4.86 million. Prior to his transfer to the green and white, the 26 year old was flying in the J1 league, putting up 17 goal involvements in his first 20 league starts.

This form has continued on Scottish shores with the Japanese forward backing three goals in his first two league starts. Celtics forward lyon has chopped and changed at the start of this season to great effect with the hoops putting up an astonishing 29 shots per 90 in their first three league games. Kyogo has arguably been the most important component to this attacking fluidity, with his movement inside the box proving decisive on more than one occasion. The fact he's currently averaging an astonishing 3.1 shots per 90 inside the six yard box alone illustrates this point perfectly.

John Lundstrum

John Lundstrum who like Fashion Sakala arrived at ibrox on a free transfer. Having spent more than 34 million euros since Gerard arrived at the club while only generating 5 million euros in sales in return, However, 27 year old Lundstrum arrives with a solid pedigree. Having featured in 62 of Sheffield United's 76 premier league games before they were eventually demoted. His first season in the top flight saw a credible return of eight goals and assists in 26 starts from the centre of midfield. With xg actually suggesting he should have had closer to 10.

This would have tied him in first place with lis Mussay in terms of goal contributions. So, you may be unsurprised to learn that he actually averaged the third most shots at the blades on a per game basis in the 2019-20 season. However, nothing else about his game really popped and his underlying numbers dropped off drastically in the 2021 campaign. For example his shots dropped from the aforementioned 1.3 to 0.7 and his tackles and interceptions went from 2.4 to 1.4. Even in that productive 2019-20 season, if you do a little bit more digging most of his underlying numbers lack behind that of his midfield counterparts.

Carl Starfelt

Centre-back car starfell arrived at Celtic in a 4.5 million pound deal from Russian outfit Rubin Kazan. The 26 year old had a really impressive 2021 for the voltain turning out in all but one game as his side finished fourth in the league. Startlingly the Swede was only dribbled past once every 10 games while completing an astonishing 91 of the tackles that he contested, far superior rate to Christopher is 71.

He also had an impressive pass accuracy on 92 which was actually the best in the squad while completing a squad high amount of passes on a per game basis. In the air not quite as imposing winning just 59 of his headers which is not great i suppose given Celtic's awful record from set pieces last season.