Rumour Mill: Celtic chase Kim Young-gwon

Celtic have been linked with South Korean defender Kim Young-gwon. Picture: Getty

Celtic eye South Korean stopper Kim Young-gwon

CELTIC have entered the race to sign South Korean centre back Kim Young-gwon, according to reports.

The defender, who plays with Chinese outfit Guangzhou Evergrande, has impressed over the past couple of seasons and has made more than 30 appearances for his country.

But Celtic could face stiff competition from Premier League outfits Southampton, Swansea and Sunderland. (Various)

Deila keen on Norwegian starlet Veton Berisha

RONNY Deila could swoop for Viking FK youngster Veton Berisha on a free transfer this summer.

Berisha, who is out of contract at the end of the month, is a highly-rated forward, and has attracted attention from clubs across Europe.

And the Scottish Sun believe Berisha’s eye for goal, link-up play and potential are all appealing qualities for the Celtic boss. (Scottish Sun)

Norwich linked with van Dijk

NORWICH have become the latest club to be credited with an interest in Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk.

The newly-promoted Canaries join Sunderland, Southampton, Arsenal and Crystal Palace in the race to sign the highly-rated Dutchman. (The Sun)

Celtic arrange three pre-season friendlies

FORMER Celtic defender David Moyes will bring his Real Sociedad side to Scotland this summer to take on the Hoops in a friendly at St Mirren Park, it has been confirmed.

The Hoops will also take on Dutch outfit Den Bosch on July 1 and Czech side Dukla Prague on July 4 as part of their Champions League preparations. (Various)

Leeds told ‘cough up £3 million for Griffiths’

CELTIC are looking for £3 million for star striker Leigh Griffiths, who has been the subject of interest from Leeds.

The forward, who emerged in the second half of last season as the Hoops first-choice frontman, has caught the eye thanks to his goals for Ronny Deila’s side.

But the Elland Road side, who have been linked with the former Hibs and Wolves hitman, have been told to shell out for Griffiths, (Various)

Mark Warburton ‘favourite to be named Rangers boss’

MARK Warburton is the frontrunner to land the Rangers gig, according to reports.

Bookies received a flurry of bets over the weekend on the ex-Brentford manager being installed at Ibrox, with the 52-year-old looking likely to be named as the new Rangers boss later this week.

Warburton, along with ex-Rangers defender David Weir, led the Bees to the Championship play-offs last season but was still emptied at the end of the season. (Daily Record)

Scottish football pays tribute to ex-Rangers defender Colin Jackson

SCOTTISH football was last night mourning the passing of former Rangers, Partick Thistle and Morton defender, Colin Jackson, who has died aged 68 after a long battle with leukaemia.

The tall, rugged defender was born in London, but raised in Aberdeen. He was signed as a schoolboy, but farmed out to Sunnybank Juniors, before joining-up at Ibrox full-time in 1963.

He served a long apprenticeship in the Ibrox ranks, Indeed, it wasn’t until the early 1970s that he became a fixture in the team, to such effect that he won eight full Scotland caps during 1975 and 1976, with Scotland unbeaten in those games.

John Greig said last night: “I have known for some time that Colin was gravely ill, and my thoughts are with his family. I have lost a great friend.

Rangers chairman Dave King commented: “Colin was a terrific servant to the Club for 20 years as a player and many more in the Hospitality Suites once he retired and we have lost a great Ranger today.

“Colin was also a true gentleman and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.” (The Scotsman)

Edinburgh Rugby explore permanent move to Easter Road

EDINBURGH Rugby are planning to play some matches at Hibernian’s Easter Road Stadium next season, it was revealed yesterday.

Scottish Rugby chief Mark Dodson said he was hopeful that an agreement can be reached with Hibs to play “a couple of games” at their home ground next season.

Edinburgh currently play at the 67,800-capacity BT Murrayfield yet had an average home gate for Guinness Pro12 League matches last season of just 4,845. Easter Road has just over 20,000 seats.

“You see some leaks in the press about us talking to Hibernian about Easter Road. We’re closer to that than we have been for a while. Our hope would be that we can have a couple of games as a test with a view to moving there,” said Dodson in a BBC radio interview. (The Scotsman)

Ireland look to Keane for goals against Scotland

REPUBLIC of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill is set to unleash Robbie Keane on Scotland after the Irish snoozed to a 0-0 draw with England yesterday.

O’Neill left the former Celtic and Spurs striker out of the last meeting and saw his side crash to a 1-0 defeat in Glasgow.

But the former Celtic boss won’t make the same mistake again, and the Irish veteran is set to jet in from the US later today. (The Sun)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Dundee United have signed Mark Durnan on a two-year deal from Queen of the South. Motherwell had also been interested in the former St Johnstone youngster

• Ivorian striker Franck Dja Djedje has left Hibs and joined Qatari outfit Al-Shahaniya

• Ex-Rangers striker Fran Sandaza’s goal wasn’t enough to earn automatic promotion for Girona as results elsewhere saw them drop into the play-off positions in Spain’s second tier

• Mike Ashley could leave the Newcastle board following the appointment of a new manager but will not relinquish any of his control

Rumour Mill: Celtic chase Kim Young-gwon | Mark Warburton