Barcelona plot move for Celtic target, SFA No.2 brands Rangers dispute 'white noise', Hearts and Hibs latest - Scottish Premiership Rumour Mill

The latest Scottish football news, transfer rumours and gossip...
Barcelona's president Josep Maria Bartomeu pictured during a press conferenceBarcelona's president Josep Maria Bartomeu pictured during a press conference
Barcelona's president Josep Maria Bartomeu pictured during a press conference

Barcelona join race for Celtic target

Barcelona have reportedly joined the race for Celtic target Michal Karbownik, who is also interesting Tottenham according to reports. The 19-year-old Legia Warsaw full-back has been linked with a string of clubs including Dynamo Moscow, Real Betis and Napoli but the Catalan giants are understood to be monitoring the left-back with a view to signing him and loaning him out to another club, thought to be Betis. (Estadio Deportivo)

Brown wants ex-Celt to return

Scott Brown has insisted Celtic would welcome back former striker Teemu Pukki ‘with open arms’. The Finn, now of Norwich City, left the Parkhead side after just one full season but has impressed following the Canaries’ return to the English Premier League. Brown said: “When he first came he didn’t look like a natural goalscorer. When I see him playing with Norwich, he’s obviously had that little bit more experience, he’s flying. For a natural goalscorer, I would take him because you always need one of them.” (The Pinkun)

Mulraney: Gers dispute is ‘white noise’

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Scottish FA vice-president Mike Mulraney has described Rangers’ dispute with the SPFL executive as “white noise”, insisting it is an open wound which must be “cauterised” to allow Scottish football to fully focus on dealing with the Covid-19 crisis. The Ibrox club are expected to release their dossier of evidence today relating to their allegations of “bullying and coercion” and misgovernance by the SPFL in the passing of the resolution to call time on the 2019-20 season. (The Scotsman)

Davidson turns down Perth return

Callum Davidson is understood to haveturned down the chance to return to St Johnstone as manager, with current McDiarmid Park No.2 Alec Cleland in pole position to succeed the recently-departed Tommy Wright. The Northern Irishman stepped down over the weekend after seven years, and Saints chairman Steve Brown has insisted the side will not be rushed into naming a successor. (Daily Record)

Naismith opens up on Hearts players’ mental struggle

Hearts captain Steven Naismith has admitted that the Hearts squad is ill-equipped mentally to deal with the pressures of a relegation battle. The Jambos currently lie bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership, four points adrift of 11th-placed Hamilton Accies with eight matches remaining. With little chance of a quick resumption to football, all leagues in the country expect the Premiership have already been settled. If that same fate befalls the Premiership, Hearts will be demoted to the Championship unless current talks on league reconstruction bear fruit and keep them in the Premiership, but in the event of the season restarting, Naismith says the Hearts squad have to learn how to deal with fighting for survival. (Evening News)

Doidge speaks on games behind closed doors

Hibs striker Christian Doidge has admitted playing in empty stadiums wouldn’t phase him – because he did it while playing part-time football in Wales. The former Forest Green hitman said: “I played at pretty much the lowest level you can play in Wales. We got about 10 guys coming to watch, and three of them were just walking their dogs – so being behind closed doors would be nothing new to me. Obviously, the big difference would be playing in such a big stadium when it was empty. I’m not a fan of the idea, if I’m honest, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do in these times. And if that’s what is required to continue the football, then I’ll do it.” (Deadline)

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