Rumour Mill: Adam Matthews | Rangers | Hearts

ADAM Matthews says Celtic avoided disgrace in Barcelona, Sandy Easdale hits out at Charles Green claims, and John Hughes wants Hearts to stay at the top, plus all today’s SPFL Premiership fixtures in Saturday’s Rumour Mill

Celtic's Adam Matthews takes on Chilean star Alexis Sanchez. Picture: AP

‘No disgrace’ in Barca hiding, says Matthews

ADAM Matthews believes Celtic did not “disgrace” themselves in Barcelona, and that past results against the Catalan giants may have given the side unrealistic expectations.

The Welshman said: “Maybe the results we have had against them in these games gave us a false confidence. With the players they have you can’t afford to do that, especially in the Nou Camp.

“But Real Madrid went there and lost five goals two seasons back so it is no disgrace.” (Evening Times)

Easdale: ‘Green not involved at Rangers’

INFLUENTIAL Rangers shareholder Sandy Easdale insists Charles Green is pulling no strings at Ibrox.

The Greenock businessman, who holds voting rights over more than a quarter of the shares in the club, refuted claims that former CEO Green has retained a say in the running of Rangers.

Easdale said: “Charles has nothing to do with the club. If you look at the statement when he left and was handing the shares over to me, he said he had no influential powers at the club and that’s the way it is today.” (Scotsman)

Yogi: ‘We all need Hearts’

NEW Inverness Caley manager John Hughes believes that Scottish football will be a better place if Hearts can retain their Premiership place.

The Jags take on Hearts at Tynecastle today, in Hughes’ first game since taking over in the Highlands.

Hughes said: “For Scottish football to be vibrant we need all the big clubs in the top flight. To see the demise of Hearts is not great for Scottish football.” (P&J)

Bangura’s back

MO Bangura’s spell on loan at Swedish side Elfsborg has ended, with the Sierra Leone cap set to return to Celtic.

The striker is under contract at Celtic Park until 2015, and Elfsborg’s chairman has already said the team will not be retaining his services.

Bangura sparked anger by playing against Celtic in the Champions League qualifier between the two teams. (Sun)

Saturday reads: Gibbons on Celtic & Rangers, Jocky Scott on Dundee in ‘73

• CELTIC were like ‘paper tigers’ in their 6-1 thrashing by Barcelona, writes Glenn Gibbons.

He says there was “a strong suggestion of a team susceptible to a dangerous uncertainty” ahead of Wednesday’s game.

Read his thoughts, and his take on the boardroom battle at Rangers, here

• DUNDEE legend Jocky Scott looks back at the Dees’ 1973 League Cup win, ahead of a 40th anniversary event tomorrow.

Scott told The Scotsman’s Alan Pattullo: “Maybe we didn’t realise it at the time, and it’s only later on you recognise it – but we were a very good side.”

Read the full interview here.

This afternoon’s Premiership fixtures (all 3pm kick-offs)

• Aberdeen - St Mirren

• Celtic - Hibernian

• Hearts - Inverness CT

• Kilmarnock - Dundee Utd

• Partick Thistle - St Johnstone

• Ross County - Motherwell