6 familiar SPFL faces clue in Tavernier and Goldson on what Saudi offers as winners and losers named

A transfer to the Saudi Pro League wouldn't have been on the radar of many before the big money arrived from the Gulf in a bid to reimagine the football landscape.

Saudi's crown prince Mohammad Bin Salman has made clear he is unmoved by claims of sportswashing with detractors claiming the mammoth investment in sport was done to counteract attention against the country's human rights record. Football, boxing, snooker and golf are among the sports being backed in a major way. Ronaldo, Mane and Neymar are the superstar star names who have said yes to the Saudi Pro League but those with a connection to Scottish football have also been financially rewarded by the sport's newest contenders to disrupting the status quo. And now Steven Gerrard is primed to move for two Rangers stars who were standouts for him during his three-plus years in Glasgow.

Record Sport revealed James Tavernier and Connor Goldson are on the Liverpool icon's wishlist as he aims to improve current club Al-Ettifaq. The skipper's potential move to Saudi has been the talk of social media for months and now Goldson is also desired. We take a look at how making the leap has paid off for a host of familiar faces.

Jota – Loser

The test case when it comes to warning others of the perils over switching European football for the Middle East dream. The beloved Celtic star has endured a special kind of nightmare in the gulf state. The £25m fee Al-Ittihad spent appeared a failsafe, however, the winger has suffered multiple blows during his ill-fated stint with the deposed Saudi champions.

It started badly and flickering signs of life have never resulted in a return to full health with Ittihad. Compatriot Nuno culled him from the squad for league games and bitty experiences in Cup competitions never cut it. New boss Marcelo Gallardo brought him back from the cold but sporadic appearances haven't changed the mood music surrounding his transfer. He appears a prime candidate to leave in the summer.

Jack Hendry – Winner

The Scotland international was a well travelled man before Gerrard came knocking and it paid off for him. Spells in England, Belgium, Italy and Australia underlined he was a man willing to try something new. Hendry could be partnered by Goldson if Gerrard lands him and the 28-year-old appears well set in Saudi. There's a market for international calibre talent to fill out the Pro League below the superstar names and Hendry has cashed in on that need.

Martin Boyle – Loser

The Australia international made the move to Saudi before the influx of world superstars arrived. Boyle was handsomely remunerated for his brief sojourn with Al-Faislaly. Yes, he was keen to come home, but the move to Saudi broadened his horizons and also shaved a few miles off his flight time when travelling to represent the Socceroos. He returned to Hibs and that's where home is for one of the finest SPFL players of his generation.

Fashion Sakala – Winner

Michael Beale was never more succinct when, with a heightened brow, he once quipped 'that's our Fashion', when trying to decode the enigma which is the Zambia striker. Sakala was the rare example of a Rangers player who was neither a flop nor a roaring success at Ibrox - enough highlights to make fans believe but a deluge of gaffes to have punters tearing their hair out. But Saudi has been sweet for Sakala as he became the first player in Al-Fayha's history to score 14 goals in a season. That's our Fashion!

Aziz Behich – Winner

How can you win without playing a game? Well, to go from Tannadice to sharing a dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo inside two years is quite the feat. The Australia international wasn't a disaster in the City of Discovery but swapped a return to his homeland with Melbourne City to cashing in with Saudi big-hitters Al-Nassr. Not bad for some even if opportunities, so far, have been limited.

Moussa Dembele – Winner

There's a compelling case Dembele is the best striker to grace Scottish football since Henrik Larsson said goodbye 20 years ago. But his post-Parkhead career has been packed with both highs and lows. He enjoyed three free-scoring seasons with Lyon while endured two campaigns where he was off the boil - with an ill-fated loan at Atletico proving a misfire.

And Dembele banging in the goals with Ettifaq appeared a banker and the 27-year-old has delivered double figures in his first season in Saudi. The caveat will be if he is set to stick in the middle east or if he fancies another crack in Europe. But the big money which led him to linking up with Gerrard will have a sway over what comes next.