Rumour Mill: Old Firm | McGeady | Scotland v Germany

Aidan McGeady in action for Celtic in a 2009 Old Firm clash. Picture: Jane Barlow

McGeady: ‘Celtic are missing Rangers’

FORMER Celtic star Aidan McGeady has claimed that Celtic and their fans are missing their top-flight rivalry with Rangers.

The Everton and Ireland winger said: “There were probably a lot of Celtic fans happy at the time when Rangers were demoted to the bottom league but over the last couple of years they’ve probably realised it would be beneficial to have them there.

“If you look at it now, Celtic could lose five or six games on the bounce and still win the league. It would definitely help if Rangers were there.” (Scotsman)

Rangers win League One: McCoist happy to celebrate

ALLY McCoist believes his Rangers side should celebrate their League One title, as they continue their climb up the Scottish football ladder.

McCoist said: “It feels the same as it did last year when we won the League 2 title. It’s fantastic. Winning is a wonderful feeling, no matter where it is.

“These are all championships we have to win to get back to where we want to be.” (Scotsman)

Scotland set for Dortmund opener in Euro bid

THE Tartan Army are set for a trip to Borussia Dortmund’s home ground to begin their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Scotland will take on Germany on 7 September at the Westfalenstadion, home to the Champions League finalists who feature a number of Polish and German internationals.

The stadium, one of the most atmospheric and iconic in Europe, will be without its infamous ‘yellow wall’ terrace which cannot be used for international matches. (Record)

Yogi ‘had heart in mouth’ over Foran clash

INVERNESS Caley manager John Hughes has admitted he was worried captain Richie Foran would be sent off last night against Hibs, and miss the League Cup final as a result.

Foran escaped with a booking after a two-footed lunge on Sam Stanton, and Hughes said his skipper was lucky to stay on the field.

Hughes said: “My heart was in my mouth. I said to the boys before the game not to do anything stupid. We want them to get stuck in… but asked them not to lunge in.” (Record)

Celtic’s Biton could face spell out

CELTIC midfielder Nir Biton could be set to join James Forrest on the sidelines through injury.

The Israeli international is believed to have torn a muscle in his thigh during his side’s loss to Slovakia last week - Forrest suffered a groin injury in training ahead of Scotland’s game with Poland.

Manager Neil Lennon said: “We think Nir is going to be a bit longer-term than Jamesy, and we will need to wait and see what the results of the scans bring back.” (Scotsman)

Barry Ferguson’s first win ‘one of worst’

FORMER Rangers and Scotland midfielder Barry Ferguson has celebrated his first win as a manager - then described it as one of the worst games of football he’s ever seen.

Ferguson’s Blackpool beat Millwall 1-0 to end an eight-game winless run. He said: “It was one of the worst games I’ve watched in terms of quality, but I don’t care.

“I want to play attractive football, but it’s at a stage where we just needed to grind out a win.” (Sun)

SPFL on YouTube - Goals, skills and highlights

• 12 goals in the two Scottish Premiership games this weekend, but none better than Lionel Ainsworth’s strike for Motherwell against Hibernian at Easter Road. Watch here

• DUTCH defender Jeroen Tesselaar shows a piece of jaw-dropping skill to elude his marker and set up Michael Gardyne to score his first ever goal for Kilmarnock during the 4-2 win over Hearts at Rugby Park. Watch here

• THE competition for February’s Goal of the Month Competition is still live! The competition closes at noon on Friday, with one random voter winning a SPFL Mitre match ball. To vote, comment on the YouTube video here

• Kilmarnock 4-2 Hearts

Kilmarnock eased the pressure at the bottom of the SPFL Scottish Premiership as Kris Boyd fired them to a crucial 4-2 win over Hearts at Rugby Park. Allan Johnston’s men hadn’t won for five matches but Boyd struck twice and Michael Gardyne scored his first goal for the club as they picked up a much-needed three points. Danny Wilson’s own goal had given the hosts the lead while the Jambos replied through Sam Nicholson and Dale Carrick.

• Hibernian 3-3 Motherwell

Motherwell and Hibernian have a history of producing goal-feasts when they meet and they didn’t disappoint as they shared the points in a 6-goal thriller at Easter Road in the SPFL Scottish Premiership. John Sutton and Lionel Ainsworth gave the visitors a cushion but Terry Butcher’s men hit back through Jordan Forster, Paul Hanlon and Paul Heffernan before Sutton struck again at the death to rescue a point.