Celtic loanee's 'apocalypse' scenario, Rangers' pointed Scott Brown message, Benitez 'agrees deal' - Scottish Premiership Rumour Mill

Celtic got back to winning ways in the Scottish Premiership on Tuesday night while Livingston extended their remarkable unbeaten run to 14 games.

A round-up of Wednesday's Scottish football news. Picture: SNS

Neil Lennon’s men claimed a 4-0 win at Kilmarnock to reduce the gap to Rangers to 20 points, although the league leaders have the chance to restore a 23-point cushion when they entertain St Johnstone at Ibrox tonight.

Livingston’s 2-0 win over Aberdeen, their first at Pittodrie since 2004, continued a stunning run of form for the West Lothian side since the appointment of Dave Martindale as manager, while Hibs reclaimed third place with a 2-1 win away to 10-man St Mirren.

The top flight action continues tonight with Hamilton v Ross County and Motherwell v Dundee United both kicking off at 6pm, before Rangers v St Johnstone gets underway at 7.45pm.

Here is all the latest news from around the SPFL on Wednesday:

Jonjoe Kenny future

Everton boss Carl Ancelotti has addressed Jonjoe Kenny’s long-term future after the on-loan right-back made his Celtic debut last night. Asked if Kenny has a long-term future at Goodison, Ancelotti responded: "Yes. He is our player from the Academy. We decided to give him the opportunity to play for six months to see what happens and he will be back in the summer." (Glasgow Evening Times)

Wright place

New Rangers signing Scott Wright has revealed how former boss Derek McIness “had his back” amid anger over his January move from Aberdeen. Wright saluted the support of the Dons gaffer throughout the process as he insisted it would not have been awkward for him to see out the campaign for the Dons. (The Scotsman)

Rafa Benitez ‘agrees deal’

Hopes of Rafa Benitez taking over at Celtic appear to have suffered a blow as reports in Italy suggest he'll return to Napoli. The Serie A side are said to have a verbal agreement for the Spaniard to take over from current coach Gennaro Gattuso in the summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Ofoborh situation

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has revealed why he did not attempt to accelerate the signing of Bournemouth midfielder Nnamdi Ofoborh. The 21-year-old has signed a pre-contract agreement with the Ibrox club and will arrive in June on a four-year deal but Gerrard saw no value in pursuing a January move due to the already stiff competition for places in his midfield (The Scotsman)

Rangers’ Brown message

Rangers issued a subtle message to the Scottish FA calling for ‘consistency’ after Scott Brown went unpunished for an apparent elbow on Kilmarnock’s Aaron Tshibola during Tuesday night’s Scottish Premiership encounter. In the minutes following the incident, the Ibrox club reposted a quote from Steven Gerrard’s press conference on Twitter, where he called for “every player to be judged in the same way” after Alfredo Morelos was banned for three matches for a stamp on Hibs defender Ryan Porteous.

Nisbet transfer request latest

Hibs manager Jack Ross has addressed Kevin Nisbet’s situation after the striker submitted a transfer request on deadline day after the club rejected a £2.8 bid from Birmingham. Ross stressed Nisbet remains a key member of his squad, adding: “He's very young and he's had a lot to deal with this season so we have got to be sympathetic and understanding about that.” (Edinburgh Evening News)

Ntcham set for Marseille debut

Celtic loanee Olivier Ntcham could make his debut for Marseille against Lens on Wednesday night. Local newspaper La Provence reports it will be the 24-year-old or Valentin Rongier who starts in midfield amid on ongoing “apocolypse” at the French club, after manager Andre Villas-Boas offered his resignation in protest of the signing.

Hearts new signings ready

Gervane Kastaneer and Aaron McEneff are poised for Hearts debuts against Ayr United at Somerset Park on Friday night. Both players did extra training at Riccarton yesterday and will be involved in their first match this weekend after joining the Edinburgh club on Monday (Edinburgh Evening News)

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