Will Tolaj and Pepple leave Plymouth Argyle for Celtic? | OneFootball

Plymouth Argyle strikers Lorent Tolaj and Bim Pepple have both been eyed by Celtic

Plymouth Argyle will want to retain strikers Lorent Tolaj and Bim Pepple beyond the summer transfer window, but may be facing an uphill battle in that regard.

Celtic are interested in both Tolaj and Pepple, who have helped the Pilgrims re-establish their League One play-off credentials in recent weeks.

Argyle were beaten 1-0 by Rotherham United on Saturday, but had previously enjoyed successive victories over Blackpool, Leyton Orient, and title hopefuls Cardiff City.

Tolaj has been a major asset for Plymouth all season, notching 14 goals and four assists in the third tier, while Pepple scored five goals in February, having struggled for consistency earlier in the campaign.

Lorent Tolaj may be more likely to leave Plymouth Argyle than Bim Pepple amid Tom Cleverley comments

Tolaj is currently suffering from a muscle tear in his leg, which meant that he missed out on the action when Argyle were beaten by Rotherham.

Both the former Port Vale man and Pepple proved their class when Tom Cleverley's men defeated Cardiff last month, though, notching braces in an impressive 5-2 victory.

Cleverley recently revealed both Pepple and Tolaj want to stay at Plymouth despite Celtic's interest: "For as long as they are Argyle players, and they are playing with that badge on their chest, they are giving everything for this club.

"They love playing for this club. It's rightly so they should be recognised for what they are doing, and at this level, your players will always be linked with clubs in higher leagues or different European leagues.

"They have both got good mentalities to have tunnel vision. They know their job. They have got high ambitions both individually and collectively at this football club, and neither of them have got any appetite to leave the football club."

However, if Plymouth fail to win promotion to the Championship via the play-offs, Tolaj's stance may change, as he has every right to feel that he is too good for League One.

In contrast, Pepple may be best served by staying at Argyle regardless of which league they are competing in next season, as he has yet to prove himself as a consistent goalscorer.

Before scoring five goals in just four third-tier appearances last month, the 23-year-old had managed a return of just four goals in 20 appearances.

Celtic circumstances mean that Lorent Tolaj swoop makes sense for Scottish giants

Celtic have been the overwhelmingly dominant side in Scottish football in recent times, but this season has been completely different for the Glaswegian outfit.

Martin O'Neill has taken interim charge of the Bhoys for the second time this term, and may guide his side to a second or third-place finish, rather than the title.

The reigning Scottish Premiership champions' relative struggles are highlighted by the fact that their top scorer is attacking midfielder Benjamin Nygren, with strikers such as Daizen Maeda unable to emulate the prolific form he displayed last season.

As reported by the Daily Record, Maeda was expected to leave Celtic in the January transfer window, but instead stayed, meaning that he could depart this summer instead.

In that instance, Tolaj could be an ideal acquisition for the Glasgow giants, who will be determined to enjoy a significantly stronger campaign under a new manager next season.

Tolaj's League One displays indicate that he would be a dangerous asset in the Scottish Premiership, whereas fellow Plymouth striker Pepple may be better suited to staying in Devon for now.