Ajer boost for Celtic, Rangers start work on pitch, SPFL meeting update, Hearts and Hibs latest - Scottish Premiership Rumour Mill

The latest Scottish football news, transfer rumours and gossip...

Boost: Kristoffer Ajer

Celtic Ajer boost

Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer has laughed off claims that he is eyeing a Parkhead exit. The Norwegian international has been linked with several clubs - including Leicester City - but insisted he is not about to leave. He said: "I have two years left on my contract and am not focusing on my future at all. What the media writes, I don't focus on it." (Daily Record)

Gers rip up pitch

Rangers have started work on their struggling pitch, signalling an end to any hopes of the season starting up again quickly. According to reports, turf care experts spent Tuesday at Ibrox as the club begins a major overhaul on their surface. (Daily Record)

Cops 'provide advice' to players training in park

Police have spoken to a group of Aberdeen players who were training together in a park in the city.

Midfielder Funso Ojo posted footage of the incident in Hazlehead Park on his Instagram account on Monday.

Club chiefs said the players were training, but that it was in an open space and not part of a session organised by the club who have given their squad a fitness programme to do remotely. (The Scotsman)

SPFL chiefs to continue talks

An SPFL board meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday will now take place on Wednesday morning as Scottish football seeks to find a path through a multitude of imponderables.

The conference call between the nine board members has been eagerly anticipated since it could potentially lead to Celtic being awarded the Premiership title if they decide to “call” the season now. (The Scotsman)

Holt: Celtic legend told me I couldn't sign for Rangers

Former Hibs striker Grant Holt has revealed that Rangers were keen to sign him as a replacement for Nikica Jelavic - but his boss at Norwich, Paul Lambert, told him he couldn't join the Ibrox side.

Holt said: "I remember Paul coming to me and it was the funniest phone call ever. He said, 'Ally McCoist has just phoned and he wants to take you to Rangers.' One, I will get lynched off the Norwich fans if I let you leave. And two, I'd get lynched even more if I let you join Rangers.'" (Talksport)

Stendel speaks on Cochrane

Hearts have held talks with teenage midfielder Harry Cochrane to help revitalise his Tynecastle career. Manager Daniel Stendel wants the player involved at first-team level and considers him one of the club’s most talented academy graduates. (Evening News)

Paterson praises Hibees

Craig Paterson has praised Hibs’ treatment of staff in a difficult situation and saluted players such as skipper David Gray for driving talks about wage deferrals with the club’s hierarchy. (Evening News)

Hughes: Scrap relegation but reward winners

John Hughes has appealed to the game’s governing bodies for patience, saying it would be reckless to rush forward with a fast but flawed judgment on how to settle a season that has been stuck in limbo since last month’s shutdown. The former Hibs and Falkirk boss added: "If there has to be a rushed decision, just extend the leagues, make sure there is no relegation but make sure that teams still get promotion. It’s not perfect but it is the easiest thing to do and the fairest.” (Evening News)