The Rumour Mill: Monday’s football news and gossip

Spartak winger keen to prove himself

Spartak Moscow winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov wants to do everything he can to stop Celtic tomorrow - to gain revenge on David Moyes. The Russian player was sent back to his homeland at the start of the year after dropping out of favour during his three seasons with Everton. Now he hopes to prove Goodison Park boss Moyes wrong: “I hope I can show some people. I’d be happy to prove something. It was a big story for me with my time at Everton. But I have been told my old manager David Moyes used to be a Celtic player, so maybe he will be somewhere watching the match.” (Record)

• As Celtic left Glasgow Airport for Moscow yesterday, there remained concerns over the fitness of full-back Adam Matthews. He missed the win over Motherwell because of an ankle injury and was seen walking through the airport with his right foot in a cast. “It is really a precautionary measure,” explained Celtic’s assistant manager, Johan Mjallby. “We are still hoping he will be in the squad, but it’ll be touch and go.” (Scotsman)

• Spartak Moscow goalkeeper Andriy Dikan is set to miss tomorrow night’s match after being taken off at half-time with a shoulder injury during Saturday’s 3-1 win at Amkar Perm. (Various)

• French referee Tony Chapron, 40, will take charge of Celtic’s game tomorrow. He has previously officiated at European games involving Rangers and Queen of the South. (Various)

• Barcelona’s stadium staff are planning to stage a strike when Celtic visit the Nou Camp in the Champions League this month. Celtic fans will also have to contend with a strike by the city’s metro workers, unhappy at their conditions. (Express)

McCoist ‘frustrated’ with Rangers performance

Ally McCoist expressed his frustration with the Rangers team that won 1-0 at Forres Mechanics on Saturday in the Scottish Cup second-round. “We should be playing better than that even with young boys,” he admitted. “I never said it would be an overnight fix. It is going to be a long road. At the same time, the players should be doing their job. It is frustrating, and it is frustrating that I have to keep getting frustrated.” (Scotsman)

Brechin sack manager

Jim Weir has become the first managerial casualty of the season in Scotland after he was sacked by Brechin City yesterday. The 43-year-old saw his side slump to a 3-0 defeat against ten-man Ayr United on Saturday - the club’s fourth loss in a row. (Express)

Sno in second heart scare

Former Celtic player Evander Sno has suffered a second on-field heart scare. The Dutch midfielder had a cardiac arrest when he fell to the ground during NEC’s defeat at Feyenoord on Saturday. But the 25-year-old managed to walk off the pitch after the internal defibrillator he had been given after suffering a heart attack two years ago kicked in. (Sun)