Rumour Mill: Celtic chase Steven Gerrard

Gerrard will leave Liverpool to join LA Galaxy in the summer. Picture: Getty

Celtic look to lure Steven Gerrard to Parkhead

Celtic are preparing to make an ambitious offer for current Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. The former England international will leave the Reds at the end of this season to sign for LA Galaxy. But like other MLS players have done in the past, Gerrard could return to Europe in a loan deal during the January transfer window. He has, however, ruled out signing for any of Liverpool’s English Premier League rivals, which could make Celtic’s offer an attractive alternative for the 34-year old. (Sunday Mirror)

League Cup Final build-up

Kris Commons insists he never wanted an easy ride at Celtic and has been more than happy to buy into Ronny Deila’s strict training methods. The attacker revealed he’s dropped 4kg in weight since the Norwegian took over. (The Scotsman)

• Deila hailed the transformation in Commons’s fellow attackers Leigh Griffiths and Anthony Stokes. Regarding Griffiths, Deila stated the striker had improved more than any player at the club, while Stokes ‘was a new man’ in training having made an effort to work harder. (The Sun)

• Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong are wavering about whether to attend the Hampden showdown because they still have an emotional attachment to former club Dundee United. The pair, signed by Celtic in the January transfer window, aren’t eligible for the match having played for United in earlier rounds. (The Sun)

• Dundee United’s Paul Dixon is desperate to lift the League Cup to make up for the heartbreak of missing out on Dundee United’s Scottish Cup triumph. The left-back, who re-signed with the club five weeks ago, was injured for United’s 3-0 victory over Ross County in 2010. (The Scotsman)

• United assistant Simon Donnelly was quick to point out the irony that the Dundee United management staff - led by Jackie McNamara with Darren Jackson also involved - were all in the Celtic squad that defeated The Arabs in the 1997 League Cup Final. (The Sun)

• McNamara responded to bizarre and untrue rumours that his father, Jackie McNamara Snr, had passed away. The United manager received a call from a concerned United press officer, and quickly phoned his dad who, thankfully, was very much alive sitting at home watching TV. (Mail on Sunday)

Rangers ‘not certain of play-off berth’

New Rangers manager Stuart McCall admitted it would be the “biggest ever capitulation” were Rangers to miss out on the play-offs. McCall watched his side draw their first match with him in charge despite taking the lead at home to bottom of the table Livingston. Rangers currently sit in third place with a five point gap over play-off hopefuls Falkirk. (The Sun)

News in brief

• Robbie Neilson hopes Hearts’ incredible success in the Scottish Championship this season will help them recruit quality players for their top flight assault next campaign. (The Sun)

• Gary Teale lamented the “story of [St Mirren’s] season” as the Buddies wasted a couple of good chances before losing to a late Lee Miller goal at Kilmarnock. (The Sun)

• Hamilton boss Martin Canning saw “anxiety” in his players despite his team being 2-1 up at home to Ross County. Accies drew the match 2-2 having led 2-0 inside the first 20 minutes and are now 10 games without a win. (The Scotsman)

• Jamie Langfield insists Aberdeen’s bottle will not crash as they look to keep pace with Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership. (The Sun)

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