The Rumour Mill: Monday’s football news and gossip

Naismith plays down title talk

The lead Rangers have established at the top of the SPL has led many to presume that the title will be theirs for a fourth consecutive season come the spring, but Steven Naismith insisted that a lack of presumption was the key to their success. “This early in the season you can’t think about the points,” said the midfielder. “You’re just going into every game trying your best to get the win. We know how quickly it can be turned around. We dropped points at home last week when a lot of folk wouldn’t have predicted that.” (Scotsman)

Rangers linked with giant Swede

Rangers are interested in signing 6ft 4in striker Joe Sise after his contract with Halmstad expired, the Swedish club said. Sise, who was born in Sweden but holds dual Gambian nationality, can also play on the wing and has scored eight goals in 29 games this season. He is expected to fly to Glasgow for training at Murray Park this week. (Sun)

Uncertainty over wages as Hearts go silent

Hearts’ media black-out, imposed after manager Paulo Sergio was held to account by the SFA over remarks about referee Iain Brines, meant that the club was unavailable for comment yesterday about the issue of unpaid salaries. A statement on the club website on Friday said that some senior players were still awaiting their money, but would be “paid over the next few days”. The delay in depositing wages in players’ bank accounts has dogged the club for some time, and players have become uneasy about the situation. (Scotsman)

McGhee: Aberdeen is ‘draining’

Former Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee has launched a scathing attack on the Pittodrie club which sacked him last December. He said: “You get people who enthuse a room. You know them and catch their enthusiasm. Ally McCoist is one. Then you get other people who suck the life out of a room. Aberdeen is full of people who are drainers.” (Sun)

Loovens joins Bangura on Celtic injury list

Celtic are facing up to the prospect of further serious injury problems today as they await news of what may be lengthy absences for defender Glenn Loovens and striker Mohamed Bangura. Loovens limped out of yesterday’s 2-1 win over Aberdeen at Celtic Park with a hamstring problem, while Bangura was unable to take any part in the game after sustaining knee damage in training on Saturday. (Scotsman)

• Ki Sung-Yeung insists Celtic will cope with their hectic schedule and battle Rangers for the title. The South Korean said: “The next three matches are crucial. It’s a tough schedule and the boys will get stronger as we go through.” (Record)

Brown singles out ref for criticism

Aberdeen manager Craig Brown last night claimed referee Stevie O’Reilly was unduly uncompromising with his decision to caution Ryan Jack for excessive celebration of his goal at Celtic Park. Jack was shown the yellow card for rushing towards the Aberdeen fans with his team-mates after his fine individual goal had pulled the visitors level at 1-1. Jack was sent off for a second bookable offence with ten minutes remaining. “The first booking for over-celebrating his goal was harsh,” said Brown. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Craig Levein is hoping to persuade Spurs’ London-born central defender Steven Caulker to turn his back on England, after the Scotland boss was alerted to the fact he has a Scottish grandmother. (Sun)

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