Rumour Mill: Billy McKay | Aberdeen title hopes | John Brown

John Brown says Rangers aren't ready for Celtic. Picture: HeMedia

Dundee United close in on Billy McKay

Jackie McNamara is hoping to hand Billy McKay a Dundee United debut at Ross County on Saturday after Wigan accepted a £200,000 bid for the Northern Ireland striker. (Evening Telegraph)

Alan Stubbs yesterday refused to confirm or deny speculation linking Hibs with Billy Mckay, the Wigan Athletic striker for whom Dundee United have already had a bid of £200,000 
accepted. (Scotsman)

Aberdeen confident they can win title

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes his Dons side can emulate the feat of Sir Alex Ferguson’s title winning side of 1985 by opening the season with five victories.

The Dons have won all four of their league matches in the new campaign ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Firhill to face Partick Thistle. (Press & Journal)

Rangers not ready to face Celtic - Brown

John Brown admits he was delighted Rangers avoided Celtic in the third round of the League Cup – because he reckons they’ll be better equipped to face them if they reach the semi-final or final.

In the aftermath of Gers’ 5-0 defeat of Airdrie on Wednesday, striker Nicky Clark insisted his team would have welcomed a clash with Celtic. (Daily Record)

Ronny Deila deserves more time - Lennon

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon says Celtic boss Ronny Deila deserves more time at Parkhead following their Champions League exit to Malmo.

The Norwegian is under intense scrutiny after his side’s capitulation to Malmo on Tuesday – one year on from blowing gilt-edged opportunities to get to the group stages at the expense of Legia Warsaw and Maribor. (Daily Mail)

John Greig on board of Rangers youth development

Former Rangers captain and manager John Greig has joined the board of the Rangers Youth Development Company.

The 72-year-old confirmed yesterday that he will play an important role in the organisation’s ongoing development. (Scotsman)

Jordan McGhee to fight for Hearts place

Jordan McGhe has vowed 
to stay and fight for his place 
at Tynecastle.

Hearts threw out two summer 
bids for the defender from English Championship side Ipswich – one of which was for £250,000.

The arrival of Nigeria star Juwon Oshaniwa and Polish centre-back Blazej Augustyn has pushed McGhee down the pecking order and he hasn’t started any of Jambos’ Premiership games so far this season. (Daily Record)

Southampton set to up Virgil van Dijk pursuit

Southampton could up their pursuit of Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk after Norwich made a rival bid for alternative defensive target Kalidou Koulibaly today.

The Canaries are said to have offered Napoli £8.8m for centre-half Koulibaly.

Koulibaly, 24, is reportedly seen by Saints as an alternative target to Celtic defender Van Dijk. (Express)

John Kennedy accepts blame for Malmo loss

Celtic first-team coach John Kennedy believes he is culpable for the defensive failings which led to Champions League elimination in Malmö.

But the man who masterminds Celtic’s defensive set-play tactics insists they will stick with their policy of zonal marking when they attempt to regain some continental credibility in the Europa League this season.

Rangers defender thankful for apology

Rangers defender Rob Kiernan has thanked newspaper the Daily Record for clearing up an inaccuracy in a previous copy of their printed paper.

He sent a message on Twitter, picturing the clarification, after a misprint had quoted him wrongly.

The Record confirmed that Kiernan did not in fact say he felt Rangers could score 25 goals in a match.

IN BRIEF

Shaun Maloney has joined Hull City after just seven months with Chicago Fire

Hibs’ Development Squad struggled to cope with their Celtic counterparts as the visitors ran out 5-0 winners at Ainslie Park.