Rangers eye striker, Atletico have say on Celtic, ex-Motherwell man linked with Ajax - Scottish football news

We wrap up some of the news stories in Scottish football and beyond

Rangers are reported to be looking at a teenage starlet in the north-east, while Atletico Madrid say they are not taking Celtic lightly ...

Rangers linked with Sunderland starlet

Rangers have been credited with an interest in Sunderland rising star Mason Cotcher. The 17-year-old forward is expected to leave the Black Cats and has recently been on trial at Arsenal. The Sunderland Echo is reporting that Brighton and Rangers are also monitoring his situation. Cotcher is an England Under-17 internationalist and has been in excellent form for the Skybet Championship outfit's youth teams.

Rangers urged to give Souness permanent role

Former Rangers man Nigel Spackman has urged the current Ibrox hierarchy to allow Graeme Souness to have a prominent role at the club. Souness helped identify Philippe Clement as their new manager and Spackman, who signed for Rangers under the Scot, says he should be more influential. “When it comes to the owners, I would be saying, ‘whatever Graeme wants us to do, let’s do it’," said Souness. Graeme has a wealth of experience in football. He’s obviously been involved in football for his entire life at every single level. And even in recent years, he has been doing a lot of TV work away from the UK in European games. We’ve worked together a lot doing all kinds of games from the Spanish, Italian and German leagues, the Champions and Europa League. He’s built up a lot of knowledge on the current game.”

Morata's respect for Celtic

Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata is taking nothing for granted ahead of Wednesday's match against Atletico Madrid. The Spanish giants are in Glasgow today ahead of the Champions League tie and while they are favourites to prevail, the striker said: “In the Champions League there is never an easy game. It sounds cliched, but it's true. Celtic have not had the best start in the competition - but from us there will be no complacency. We have four points from six, but we know it should be six. It was a very late equaliser from Lazio and that is why there can be no room for complacency. For Celtic, these next two games against us are so important for them. They will know if they want any chance of progressing they need to start getting points. We have a lot of respect for Celtic, but if we focus on ourselves we believe we can get a positive result."

Ten Hag: Sir Bobby Charlton will always remain an inspiration

Erik ten Hag believes Sir Bobby Charlton will always remain an inspiration to Manchester United as they prepare for their first home game since the World Cup-winner died on Saturday. Tributes to Charlton, who was 86, will take place before Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Copenhagen, in the form of a minute’s silence, a wreath being placed on Charlton’s seat in the directors’ box and players and club staff wearing black armbands. Charlton will also be remembered in the official programme for both the Copenhagen match and Sunday’s derby against Manchester City. There will be a minute’s applause prior to the City match as well as expressions of remembrance via flags and banners in the stadium. And when asked if Charlton would be an inspiration for his side not only on Tuesday but beyond, Ten Hag pointed to the statue. “He is in front of Old Trafford,” Ten Hag said. “With Denis Law and George Best. He is always with us. They are always a huge inspiration for us, every day, and in every game.”

Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur team are top of the EPL.

Postecoglou continues to impress

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou credited his side’s 2-0 win over Fulham to their “outstanding” pressing after they returned to the top of the Premier League. Goals from Son Heung-min and James Maddison confirmed the three points for the hosts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Postecoglou also praised the contribution of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who started in place of the suspended Yves Bissouma. “I thought our pressing was outstanding the whole game and maybe in the first half we could have got one or two more to put the game to bed,” Postecoglou said. I thought Pierre was good and he’s been good in every game he’s played for us and he’s been put in some difficult situations and handled them well, he’s very experienced."

Docherty urges Dundee to pick up where they left off

Tony Docherty wants Dundee to carry on from where they left off when they resume action against Ross County on tonight. Before the original fixture against County on October 7 was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Dens Park, the Dark Blues had drawn 2-2 at home to Kilmarnock before a goalless draw against Hibernian at Easter Road made it just one defeat in five. Dundee’s game at Aberdeen was called off at the weekend due to Storm Babet but Docherty is looking for his side to keep the positivity going against Malky Mackay’s Staggies, who are in 11th place, behind the Taysiders on goal difference. He said: “The players are champing at the bit. We haven’t had a game since the 30th of September. We need to remember that we had real momentum going forward, it was a positive performance against Hibs away from home and prior to that we had a really positive performance going down to 10 men against Kilmarnock and getting a point. The players are in a good place now. It is important that we keep the confidence levels."

Mitchell van der Gaag played for Motherwell for two seasons.

Van der Gaag linked with Ajax

Current Manchester United assistant coach Mitchell van der Gaag, who spent part of his playing career at Motherwell, has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Ajax. The Dutch giants Ajax announced yesterday that manager Maurice Steijn has left the Eredivisie club with immediate effect. Steijn’s departure comes in the wake of a 4-3 defeat at Utrecht that left the Dutch giants sitting one point off the bottom of the table with just one win from their first seven games.

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