Rumour Mill: Brandon Mechele

Celtic resurrect interest in Mechele

WITH speculation surrounding Virgil van Dijk and a potential move to England continuing, Celtic have reportedly renewed interest in Belgian youngster Brandon Mechele.

The 22-year-old Club Brugge defender first appeared on Celtic’s radar in April. He is currently valued at around £3 million by the Belgian club.

Mechele helped his side claim the Belgian title last season. (Various)

Brattback: Kristoffer Ajer ticks all Celtic’s boxes

Former Celtic striker Harald Brattbakk has reportedly said that Kristoffer Ajer ticks all the boxes for Celtic.

He added that the 17-year-old IK Start midfielder would find it difficult to refuse an offer to move to Parkhead.

Celtic reportedly sent a scout to watch the young Norwegian who is also being linked to Paris St Germain. (The Scottish Sun)

SPFL bosses united against John Collins’ comments

Condemnation of John Collins continued following disparaging comments he is reported to have made about Celtic’s Scottish opponents.

Dundee boss Paul Hartley and Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara - both former Celtic stars - joined Aberdeen’s Derek McInnes in dismissing opinions expressed by Celtic’s number two.

Hartley branded Collins’ comments ‘disrespectful’ while McNamara pointed out that they did not make sense as three of Celtic’s key players came from Dundee United. (The Scotsman)

- Ronny Deila has waded into the storm surrounding John Collins following accusations the assistant manager was being disrespectful to other SPFL clubs.

The Celtic boss reportedly claimed that Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes made similar comments to those Collins made after their match with Rijeka.

Collins reportedly said that other SPFL teams were not clever or quick enough to challenge Celtic. (Daily Record)

Jon Daly regrets not leaving Rangers sooner

Former Rangers striker Jon Daly has said he should of left Ibrox in January in order to get more games under his belt.

Daly, who is currently training with Dundee United while he finds a new club, cut ties with Rangers in May.

The 32-year-old made only three starts in the second half of last season and reportedly regrets not looking elsewhere rather than fight for a place in the squad under Kenny McDowall and Stuart McCall. (The Scottish Sun)

Dean Shiels eyes regular Rangers spot

Rangers midfielder Dean Shiels is rumoured to be aiming to make himself a regular feature for Rangers in a bid to get back into the Northern Ireland squad.

Shiels is looking to make achieve the double of helping Rangers return to the top flight and getting Northern Ireland safely into Euro 2016.

Rangers have not called on the 30-year-old since September 2013, but Shiels is reportedly looking to force his way into the team under Mark Warburton. (Daily Record)

Malmo set to break tickets record

Swedish side Malmo are looking to set to break a club record by sending a record number of supporters to Celtic Park.

The club have been allocated 2,600 tickets for the first leg of the Champions League play off round against Celtic but have already sold over 1,000 with a second charter plane to Scotland reportedly selling out within twenty minutes.

A third charter plane is now on sale, which could see Malmo send their largest ever contingent to an European away game. (Insidefutbol.com)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Derek Riordan may decide to go abroad in a full-time move rather than sign for Brechin City, says player/manager Darren Dods. (The Scotsman)

• Ronny Deila has said he is glad he waited for the top job at Parkhead instead of managing Swedish outfit, Malmo. (Various)

• Ross County defender Scott Boyd is on the brink of breaking the side’s appearance record with 288 if he features against St Johnstone on Tuesday. (Daily Record)

• Former Kilmarnock and Hibernian striker Paul Heffernan is on the verge of signing for Queen of the South. (Daily Record)

Rumour Mill: Brandon Mechele | Kristoffer Ajer