Rumour Mill: Ajax v Celtic | Izaguirre red card

Celtic and Ajax shared the spoils in Amsterdam last night. Picture: Getty

Ajax 2 Celtic 2

NIR Bitton gave Celtic the lead befor Viktor Fischer levelled the scoreline. Mikael Lustig’s powerful header restored Celtic’s lead but Emilio Izaguirre’s second yellow card and subsequent early bath allowed Ajax to grab an equaliser through Lasse Schone.

Izaguirre ‘sorry’ for Amsterdam sending off

HONDURAN international Emilio Izaguirre revealed he apologised to his Celtic team-mates moments after the final whistle in Amsterdam for his sending off.

Celtic were leading 2-1 before Izaguirre copped a second yellow and an early bath. Lasse Schone then equalised with six minutes remaining.

And Izaguirre said: “I am very disappointed with my red card. I need to take responsibility for the dropped points.

“I was worried I had let the team down leaving them with ten men. I said sorry to the team. It was a big game and we needed to keep 11 men on the field.” (The Sun)

De Boer slams Celtic for parking ‘two buses’

AJAX boss Frank de Boer has hit out at Celtic’s tactics, claiming they ‘parked two buses’ at the Amsterdam ArenA.

De Boer told Four Four Two: “It’s always difficult. They parked two buses in front of us. It was a bit of a false start for us with the early goal for Celtic.

“The spaces were small and tight. We had great difficulty, but we scored a great goal. It’s disappointing when you control the game, but then they score another goal.” (Four Four Two)

Deila refuses to blame Izaguirre

RONNY DEILA believes the dismissal of Emilio Izaguirre cost Celtic victory in the Amsterdam Arena last night but refused to blame the Honduran left-back for his actions.

“Of course the sending-off was the turning point in the game,” Deila said. “We had very good control of the game at that stage.

“I’m quite sure we would have won the game without the red card. We were very comfortable and could also have made better changes later in the game.

“Emilio has no record of a lot of red cards. I personally think he played very well up to that red card. He took out their best player, Anwar El Ghazi, for most of the game. He just has to move on. We do it together as a team.” (The Scotsman)

Hearts take Arnaud Djoum on trial

BELGIAN midfielder Arnaud Djoum is on trial at Hearts as head coach Robbie Neilson searches for a new midfielder.

The 26-year-old is a free agent after leaving the Polish club Lech Poznan two months ago. Djoum plays as a central midfielder but can also operate in defence. (Evening News)

Stubbs happy with back-up players

ALAN Stubbs has said he is more than happy with the quality of his back-up players, and that the club is better equipped to deal with injuries.

For instance, James Keatings and Fraser Fyvie will miss the match away to Livingston but Stubbs has a wealth of options ready to step in, and could call on Dominique Malonga, Islam Feruz or Martin Boyle to partner Jason Cummings up front.

Stubbs added: “The impact on the group as a whole now is not as severe. If we do pick up two or three injuries we’ve not only got back-up but players who are chomping at the bit to get their opportunity to stake a claim to stay in the team. We didn’t necessarily have that option early on.” (The Scotsman)

Hayes loses red card appeal

ABERDEEN winger Jonny Hayes has said he is ‘gutted’ at the SFA’s decision to throw out his red card appeal.

Hayes was ordered off against Celtic for a tackle on Mikael Lustig - and was so confident of overturning the red card that he paid the £1,000 appeal costs himself.

But he was unsuccessful and tweeted: Obviously gutted with the outcome today! Hearts away is always a fixture you look forward too. Hopefully the boys can continue the run.

“Thank you for the messages and opinions over the last few days! The games changed unfortunately. Just need to learn from it and move on now.” (The Sun)

Rumour Mill: Ajax v Celtic | Izaguirre red card | Hearts eye Arnaud Djoum