Rumour Mill: Ben Kennedy | Jason Denayer

Celtic chase Stevenage striker Ben Kennedy

Celtic have joined Arsenal and Tottenham in the race to sign Stevenage striker Ben Kennedy.

The 18-year-old is one of the hottest properties emerging from the Sky Bet Football League, and his impressive displays have seen him attract interest from some of the largest clubs in the country.

It is understood that Ronny Deila’s Celtic are keen to sign up a new striker in the summer transfer window, and have subsequently earmarked the highly-rated Stevenage striker as a potential addition. (Football League World)

Manchester City to block Denayer Celtic return

Manchester City have told Jason Denayer that they want him to spend next season in the English Championship in order for him to complete his footballing apprenticeship.

Ronny Deila has spoken of his hopes of retaining the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year however it appears Man City look determined for the Belgian international

to spend a year in the Championship before he fights for a first team spot at the Etihad. (Mail)

Magath still in dark over Rangers move

Former Bayern Munich boss Felix Magath says he is still in the dark over a possible move to Rangers as manager or director of football.

Magath held talks with Dave King following his takeover of the Rangers board and has bought 810,000 worth of shares in the Ibrox club.

He says he has no plans to return to Glasgow in the near future but is monitoring the club’s progress. (Evening Times)

Rangers to allow fans to go free to play offs

Rangers are set to flaunt SPFL rules and allow the club’s 25,000 season ticket holders to attend play off matches at Ibrox for free.

The SPFL have a 50 per cent levy on ticket sales for the play offs however Hibs set a precedent last year when they allowed season ticket holders in for free at Easter Road for their match against Hamilton.

Motherwell are also keen to let their season ticket holders in for free if they find themselves in the play offs. (Various)

Celtic to make move for Ciftci

Celtic are set to reignite their interest in Nadir Ciftci after failing to land the Dundee United player in January.

The Turkish forward is valued at £3m by the Tannadice outfit however it is understood Ronny Deila believes he can land the player for half that price tag. (Sun)

• Ronny Deila has challenged his side to build on their double winning season and make a dent in next season’s Champions League

Ticket prices slashed for Scottish Cup final

Children, students and pensioners will be able to watch the upcoming Scottish Cup final between Inverness and Falkirk for a fiver as the SFA announced it was slashing ticket prices for the May showpiece. (Various)

SPFL set to appoint first sponsor

The Scottish Professional Football League is finally set to clinch a new sponsor as the game’s top flight comes to the end of a two-year barren spell without a backer.

Scott Steedman, the SPFL’s commercial director, insists there is “no way” that a new deal won’t be signed and sealed for next season. (Scotsman)

Raith Rovers sack manager Grant Murray

Raith Rovers have sacked manager Grant Murray after three years at the helm, with chairman Alan Young citing a “concerning” lack of progress made by the Kirkcaldy side.

The former Rovers captain, who replaced John McGlynn in the Stark’s Park dugout in the summer of 2012, won silverware by defeating Rangers in the Ramsden’s Cup final last season. (Scotsman)

Feyenoord warned off of John Guidetti

Former Feyenoord coach Bert van Marwijk believes his old club are barking up the wrong tree by chasing Celtic striker John Guidetti, a player he says struggles to hold down a regular spot at the Scottish champions.

Feyenoord are keen on taking Guidetti back to De Kuip, where he played on loan in the 2011/12 campaign. The Sweden international is out of contract with parent club Manchester City in the summer and Feyenoord have already made him a contract offer worth €20,000 per week. (InsideFutbul)

Kilmarnock to tie up duo

Kilmarnock will finalise the captures of Hearts’ Scott Robinson and Falkirk’s Jamie Macdonald as soon as the Rugby Park side have confirmed their place in the top flight of Scottish football for next season. Gary Locke’s side are seven points from safety and could secure their place in the top flight with a win against Hamilton if Motherwell lose. (Express)

John McGinn awaits damage news from Thompson spear

St Mirren midfielder John McGinn will undergo a scan today to assess the damage caused by an horrific training ground accident in which club captain Steven Thompson threw a pointed pole into his thigh.

Scotland under-21 international McGinn, who is out of contract at the end of the season, now faces the prospect of missing the remainder of St Mirren’s bid to avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership. (Scotsman)

Date set for John Guidetti ‘offensive’ song hearing

Celtic striker John Guidetti will discover on Thursday if he is to be punished for singing an allegedly “offensive” song about the demise of Rangers.

The on-loan Manchester City player had been due to appear before the Scottish Football Association’s disciplinary panel on 9 April but that hearing was postponed. The SFA has confirmed the 22-year-old’s case will now be heard this Thursday.

Guidetti was issued with a notice of complaint last month after giving an interview to Dutch TV show FC Rijnmond. (Scotsman)

COMMENT: Alan Pattullo: A tale of two Lees/Leighs

Try, try again. It might seem a little strange to advise someone to look to Leigh Griffiths for guidance, particularly when that someone is as experienced as Lee McCulloch. But, when it comes to turning around public opinion, the Celtic striker’s recent narrative arc is surely of interest to the Rangers skipper, who endured some hostile treatment at the hands of his own supporters on Saturday. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Queen of the South have been told that Palmerston Park would be fit for the Premiership next season if they can get a new certificate for their artificial pitch

Rumour Mill: Ben Kennedy | Jason Denayer | Felix Magath