Rumour Mill: Celtic chase Powell | Hibs

Nick Powell celebrates scoring for Wigan. Picture: Getty

Neil Lennon eyes Man Utd youngster Nick Powell

CELTIC boss Neil Lennon is reportedly hot on the trail of Manchester United starlet Nick Powell, who is currently on loan at Wigan.

Powell, who arrived at United from Crewe Alexandra two years ago made six appearances for the Red Devils last season, but joined the Latics for this season, where he has scored 12 goals in 40 appearances.

While Powell could cost around £4 million, Old Trafford boss David Moyes might be happy to send the 20-year-old out on loan again.

And Lennon has personally watched Powell as he seeks to recruit new signings ahead of the start of Celtic’s Champions League qualifying campaign in mid-July. (Daily Mail)

I’ve got mixed feelings over title chase - Lennon

NEIL Lennon has admitted that he has mixed feelings while he watches the English Premier League title race go down to the wire, with Celtic’s league title already wrapped up.

“You miss the excitement,” Lennon said, adding: “Well, you do and you don’t. I’m sitting thinking: ‘Do I want to be in Brendan’s [Rogers] shoes just now?’ or ‘Do I want to be in [Manuel] Pellegrini’s?’ You want to be in their shoes when they win.” (Telegraph)

Thomson blasts team mates as Butcher admits relegation fears

KEVIN Thomson reckons some of his team mates are letting Terry Butcher down, as the Hibs boss admitted: “We’re in real trouble.”

Hibs lost 2-0 to 10-man St Mirren yesterday in Paisley, conceding the opening goal after just 13 seconds.

And Thomson, brought back into the starting line up after a series of bench-warming appearances, admitted: “We never got out of the blocks. When you are in the position we are in and give two goals of a start to any team it will be an uphill battle.

“I’m confident we will be okay come the end of the season but if we keep putting in performances like that then we’re going to be in bother.

“A few of the boys have let [the manager] down and it’s time for big characters and puffed up chests.” (Various)

‘We’re in trouble’, admits Butcher

Shell-shocked Hibs boss Terry Butcher last night blasted his troops for a lack of ‘fight, effort and attitude.’

Butcher watched his side slump to their fifth straight defeat at St Mirren, during which they have scored just one goal.

And Butcher called on his side to effort, adding: “We have to find a way to get a resolute team performance, score a goal and get a team out there that is going to fight and scratch for Hibernian FC.

“At this moment the boys are not doing that. There is not enough fight, effort and attitude. It’s not about contracts, it’s about hearts and desire. It’s going to take a great effort to turn it round for the next game against Hearts.

“That’s what I’m looking at, not the play-off spot. We have four games to go and we need to improve and quickly.” (Scotland on Sunday)

Budge says Bidco focused on completing legal formalities

ANN Budge, the IT businesswoman bankrolling the rescue of Hearts has told fans that they are getting ever closer to ‘bringing our club home’.

Budge sent an email to the 8,000 supporters who pledged money to the Foundation of Hearts, telling them that her Bidco 1874 outfit were focused on finalising legal formalities as quickly as possible, and promised fans that she would honour some of the broken promises made by the old regime.

Budge wrote: “I will work diligently to keep you informed at all times on what is happening at the club. I will conclude for now by just saying a huge thank you.

“This week will go down in the history of Heart of Midlothian FC as one of the most important.

“We are within touching distance of bringing our club home.” (Scotland on Sunday)

Hamill loss a blow, says Locke

LOSING Jamie Hamill for next week’s Edinburgh derby is a big blow for Hearts, says manager Gary Locke.

Hamill, who scored the Tynecastle club’s opening goal against Ross County, was sent off for barging into Ross County manager Derek Adams on the touchline, sparking a melee.

And Locke told the BBC: “He’ll now miss next week so it’s a hard one.”

“To be fair, there were too many bodies in front of me so it’d be difficult to pass comment on it.” (BBC Sport Scotland)

Rumour Mill: Celtic chase Powell | Hibs | Hearts