The Rumour Mill: Monday’s Scottish football news and gossip

Charles Green to attend Scottish Cup game at Tannadice

The Rangers chief executive has revealed he’ll head to Tannadice for the Scottish Cup game with Dundee United – after telling Rangers fans not to go.

Rangers turned down their allocation for the gameas fans were set to boycott the game. Green is likely to get a hostile reception, and remains 100 per cent behind the fan boycott. He said: “I think that it’s my responsibility, it would be bad manners not to go in my opinion. I’m sure the welcome will be frosty — it’s frosty everywhere I go right now!

“I’ve never known it to be warm since I got to Scotland. I won’t be taking any extra security. Listen, I’m from the Yorkshire coal mines.” (Various)

Strachan is McAllister’s choice for Scotland job

Gary McAllister has said he his former team mate should get the Scotland job. McAllister, who played alongside Gordon Strachan at Leeds, said he knew that one day Strachan would be the Scotland boss.

McAllister said: “The position looks made for him. I was convinced he was heading in that direction when we played together at Leeds 20-odd years ago.” (Daily Record)

Celtic join race for Kilmarnock’s Liam Kelly

Celtic look to have joined the race to sign Liam Kelly from Kilmarnock. The Scotland midfielder is out of contract is out of contract next year and can be signed for a nominal fee in January.

Celtic face competition from Premier League sides West Ham and Norwich for Kelly’s signature. Kenny Shiels is said to be desperate to tie up the 22-year-old but it seems likely the player will leave either in January or in the summer. (Daily Mail)

Tatters almost quit over Elgin ticketing

Elgin City chairman Graham Tatters has said he needed to be persuaded not to quit the club following the ticketing fiasco that lead to the postponement of their tie with Rangers. Elgin were fined £25,000 and Tatters was fined £5,000 by the SFA following the mix up in November.

Tatters said: “I considered quitting after it all in November, but various people talked me out of it.” (Various)

Celtic head for the sun

Celtic are to head for Marbella to prepare themselves for a four pronged trophy chase this season. Neil Lennon will be taking his team to the Costa del sol for a warm weather training session in the new year.

Celtic have a break from competitive games between January 2 and January 19, and will head for the sun to prepare for their busy new year as they contest the SPL, Scottish Cup, the League Cup and Champions League. (Daily Mail)

Hooper hoping for England call-up

Gary Hooper hopes his recent run of good form will earn him an international call-up. The Celtic man scoed two at the weekend and was close to sealing his hat trick with another decent effort on goal.

Hooper said: “That’s my dream - to play for England. If I keep doing that week in, week out, we’ll see how it goes.” (Daily Record)

Juventus get more time to prepare for Celtic clash

Celtic’s Champions League last 16 opponents have managed to bring forward their Serie A tie with Fiorentina to allow them more time to get ready for the crunch tie with the Scottish champions.

League leaders Juve were scheduled to play fellow title-chasers Fiorentina just two days before their European tie with Celtic, but Serie A bosses have allowed them to mover the game so that Juventus will have an extra day before their Champions League game. (Daily Record)