(Credit: Imago)

Ciaran Morrison

Mon 11 May 2026 8:30, UK

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Celtic and Rangers could face competition from Championship clubs for Motherwell striker Tawanda Maswanhise this summer.

That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, who believes Scotland’s European coefficient will be an issue for Celtic and Rangers in their pursuit of the 23-year-old.

Maswanhise leads the Scottish Premiership goalscoring charts in his second season at Motherwell, with the Steelmen taking a chance on the striker when he was released by Leicester City in 2024.

Interest in Maswanhise is increasing ahead of the summer transfer window, with it looking unlikely that Motherwell will be able to keep hold of their star players.

Celtic face a rebuild of their squad this summer, whilst Rangers could challenge their Glasgow rivals for Maswanhise to bolster their attacking options.

Tawanda Maswanhise ‘may not be staying in Scotland’

Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Celtic and Rangers will both find it tough to reach the league phases of European competition next season.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness would tip Maswanhise to move to the Championship in England this summer.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Motherwell have been playing, probably, the best football in Scotland this year.

“They haven’t had quite the same success as Hearts, but yes, Maswanhise would be linked to the Old Firm.

“But what’s going to happen, if Hearts do get the league title, is that the Scottish coefficient is so poor now in terms of getting into European competitions, and the way they qualify for European competitions, that the Old Firm themselves are going to struggle.

“Maswanhise will want European football. That would be the next step for him, and he may not be staying in Scotland. There could be some clubs at the top level in the Championship who would take him and take a chance. That’s where he may well end up.”

Old Firm could raid Motherwell this summer

Sources had told Football Insider that Motherwell could accept a big offer for Maswanhise this summer, from either Celtic or Rangers.

The Well also face selling winger Elijah Just, with the Glasgow duo both interested in the 26-year-old, who was nominated for PFA Scotland’s Premiership player of the year award this season.

The departures may not end their at Fir Park as manager Jens Berthel Askou is a contender to replace interim boss Martin O’Neill at Celtic.

Askou’s potential arrival at Celtic Park could be decisive in the futures of Maswanhise or Just, with the Hoops keen to strengthen their attack.