Rangers eye highly-rated starlet, 14-team top-flight plans, Celtic 'to approach EPL club', Hearts and Hibs latest - Scottish Premiership Rumour Mill

The latest Scottish football news, transfer rumours and gossip...

The coronavirus outbreak has suspended all football in Scotland

Radical league reconstruction plans unveiled

A radical plan that would see Kelty Hearts and Brora Rangers promoted to senior football and the creation of a 14-team Premiership that would save Hearts from relegation has been drawn up. (Scotland on Sunday)

Johnson ‘could relegate Hearts’

UK prime minister Boris Johnson could intervene and bring an official end to the 2019/20 Scottish football season – crowning Celtic as champions and consigning Hearts to relegation. SPFL chiefs are believed to be expecting Johnson to intervene this week by ordering an immediate end to professional leagues across Britain. (The Sun)

Rangers to battle Everton and Leeds for Blackpool youngster

Rangers are reportedly keen on Blackpool youngster Anthony Weston - but Everton and Leeds are also understood to be monitoring the 16-year-old striker. (The Sun)

Celtic set to approach Southampton about loan players

Playing in June has been floated as a possible solution to the issue of how to complete the league programme if the suspension for the coronavirus outbreak prevents a resumption in the next two months. However, that does not take into account loan arrangements in place for players. In the case of Celtic, Fraser Forster and Mohamed Elyounoussi would be returned to Southampton before any potential June fixtures were contested – and Neil Lennon admits there may need to be a conversation with the Saints in the future. (Scotland on Sunday)

Scottish Cup finished next season?

The 2019/20 Scottish Cup could be completed next season, according to reports. The SFA are understood to be looking at playing the two semi-finals and final at the start of the new campaign. (The Sun)

Halkett on dream move gone sour

Craig Halkett has admitted his move from Livingston to Hearts has not gone as planned. Speaking before the shutdown of Scottish football, the centre-back said: “This wasn’t what I expected at all. I was so happy to be joining Hearts as it’s a massive club. And of course I didn’t expect to be where we are now. We just have to deal with it and knuckle down and try to get out of it.” (Scotland on Sunday)

Bartley: Don’t make us play into June

Marvin Bartley has warned that extending the Scottish football season into June would not go down well with players. The Livingston captain said: “We are human beings, with our own lives outside the game, and families, and sometimes I think that does get overlooked. We only get a certain amount of time off and we have all booked holidays in advance, people have weddings, and someone has a family reunion as well, and that has all been planned around the summer break.” (Scotland on Sunday)

Christie: Fans will miss ‘religion’ of football

As with all others in the football world, Ryan Christie recognises that public health supersedes any other considerations as the coronavirus accelerates. Yet, while the suspension of the season is a sensible decision taken for all the right reasons, it will have a societal impact that is particular to the game. The Celtic attacker, who spoke this week before Friday’s shut-down was announced by the Scottish FA and SPFL, acknowledges that, with football having such a grip in Scotland, a vital element that contributes to our cultural and community well-being will also be missing with its halting. (Scotland on Sunday)

No Hibs at East Mains for a week

Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster has backed the Scottish FA and SPFL’s joint response group’s decision to postpone football and confirmed players will be “off-site” for the next week. (Evening News)