Celtic's chances of signing Plymouth Argyle striker Lorent Tolaj may soon change | OneFootball

Plymouth Argyle's rise up the League One table could have consequences for Celtic's pursuit of striker Lorent Tolaj.

It is shaping up to be an exciting end to the season for Plymouth Argyle in League One.

After a nightmare first half of the season following their relegation from the Championship, Plymouth were languishing in the relegation zone as recently as early January, and many fans were calling for head coach Tom Cleverley to be sacked.

However, the decision to stick with Cleverley has certainly been rewarded, with the Pilgrims winning nine of their last 14 league games to climb away from the danger and towards the play-off places.

Argyle's momentum continued to gather pace as Mathias Ross' 57th-minute winner earned them a 1-0 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Stevenage at Home Park on Tuesday night, and they are now 10th in the table, just two points from the top six.

Of course, an instant return to the Championship would represent an outstanding achievement for Plymouth given where they were just over two months ago, but it could also provide a major boost to their chances of retaining star striker Lorent Tolaj.

Plymouth Argyle will be braced for Lorent Tolaj transfer battle this summer

While it has been a turbulent campaign for Plymouth, Tolaj has been one of their most consistent performers throughout the season.

After scoring 15 goals to help Port Vale to automatic promotion from League Two last season, Tolaj made the move to Home Park in the summer for £1.2 million, and that fee now looks like something of a bargain given his impressive impact in a Pilgrims shirt.

Tolaj has scored 17 goals in just 28 appearances for Argyle so far this season, including hitting a brace on three occasions and bagging a hat-trick in the victory at Doncaster Rovers in December, while he has also provided four assists.

It seems that Tolaj's exploits in Devon have not gone unnoticed, with the Daily Mail claiming last month that Scottish giants Celtic were leading the race for the 24-year-old and his strike partner Aribim Pepple, who is currently also in fine form after a slow start to life at Plymouth.

The publication also revealed that Tolaj has interest from several English sides, but Cleverley reportedly confirmed at a recent fan forum that he does not have a release clause in his contract, which certainly strengthens the Pilgrims' negotiating position.

Until the turn of the year, Argyle supporters could have been forgiven for assuming that Tolaj's departure in the summer would be a mere formality, but with the outlook now looking much brighter at Home Park, the situation could change significantly.

Celtic could be set for Lorent Tolaj frustration as Plymouth Argyle rise continues

If Plymouth finished in lower mid-table in League One, as seemed likely not too long ago, it would have been difficult for them to convince Tolaj to remain in Devon for another season.

Should Celtic firm up their interest and make a formal bid for Tolaj this summer, it may still be tough for him to turn down a move to Glasgow, particularly with potential European football on offer, while he may also receive some lucrative proposals from higher divisions in England.

However, as the Pilgrims continue to storm up the table, promotion to the Championship could be a genuine possibility for Cleverley's men this season, and that would surely be a game-changer for their hopes of keeping hold of Tolaj beyond the summer.

Given his prolific form in the EFL in recent seasons, it is easy to forget that Tolaj was playing in the National League with Aldershot Town less than two years ago, so the opportunity to ply his trade in the second tier would no doubt appeal to the striker.

Like any player, Tolaj will have ambitions of performing at the top level, but rather than jumping into the pressured environment of a club the size of Celtic, he may decide to continue his development in the Championship with Argyle, particularly considering the strong connection he has formed with the Home Park faithful.

It remains to be seen whether Celtic will pursue a deal for Tolaj this summer, and with reports emerging that the Hoops are in pole position to sign Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh, who scored five goals during his side's remarkable run to the last 16 of the Champions League, they could decide to turn their attention elsewhere.

However, if Celtic or any other club were to make a bid for Tolaj, Plymouth would have a much better chance of fending off interest in their prized asset if they were in the Championship, which could provide an extra incentive in the final weeks of the season as they look to gatecrash the top six.