Celtic ace in shock '£15m exit deal', Rangers star tipped for return to former club, Gerrad outlines signing 'project', Hearts boss responds to job speculation - Scottish Premiership Rumour Mill

It is set to be another key weekend in the SPFL, even if only two divisions are currently playing.

Friday's Scottish football news including the latest on the Celtic job. Picture: sNS

Tiers three and four will return on March 20 after League One and Two were given the green light to resume football activity earlier this week.

The action should have started this evening with the Fife derby in the Championship between Raith Rovers and Dunfermline Athletic only for it to be postponed due to coronavirus.

Yet, there are a number if key games in the Premiership relegation battle, while Rangers could feasibly win the title this weekend.

Here is all of Friday’s Scottish football news:

Hearts star John Souttar is now expected to return before the season ends. The centre-back has resumed full first-team training following his a ruputure of his Achilles for the second time in 2020. The plan was for him to be back for pre-season but it could be sooner. (Evening News)

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has admitted Scott Wright is a “project” for next season but has been pleased with his impact so far. The January transfer window signing has put on four kilos in muscle mass as he gets up to speed with what is required tactically and physically at Ibrox. (The Scotsman)

Alfredo Morelos will find out if his booking for an alleged dive in Rangers’ win over Livingston will be rescinded at a fast-track hearing today (Friday). The Colombian was booked by John Beaton despite footage showing he had been fouled. (The Scotsman)

Steven Gerrard has been given hope that he will be in the dugout for Rangers’ potential tile-clinching match at Celtic. The Ibrox manager was sent off against Livingston and could face a ban. However, Hearts boss Robbie Neilson had to wait nearly a month for a hearing. (Daily Record)

Leicester City believe they have won the race to sign Celtic star Odsonne Edouard in the summer. The Foxes are expected to pay just £15million which will see the Frenchman link up with Brendan Rodgers and be the long-term replacement for Jamie Vardy. (Daily Mail)

Robbie Neilson has responded to speculation over his future. The Hearts boss has come in for criticism after the team has drawn three successive games, while performances haven’t been up to scratch, albeit the club are 12 points clear in the Championship. He said: “It's the way football is and you just have to take it on the chin sometimes, people ask questions.” (Various)

Bookmakers could pay out on John Kennedy becoming the next Celtic boss. They would normally do so when an interim boss takes charge for as many as ten games. With the Scottish Cup returning, Kennedy is likely to do so before the season end. He is currently odds-on favourite with most bookies. (Daily Record)

Two of Jermain Defoe’s former clubs have been tipped as possible destinations for the striker if he leaves Rangers. Former England team-mate Paul Robinson reckons the 38-year-old would have “no shortage of takers” if he departs at the end of the season when his contract expires. (Football Insider)

Rangers have been granted an exemption to fly to the Czech Republic to play their Europa League clash with Slavia Prague. The country introduced a strict lockdown due to a spike in coronavirus cases. (Daily Record)