Rumour Mill: Celtic eye Gaby Mudingayi | Bankier slams fans

Celtic have been linked with a move for freed Cesena midfielder Gaby Mudingayi. Picture: Getty

Hoops linked with Belgian veteran

CELTIC have been linked with a move for former Inter Milan and Lazio midfielder Gaby Mudingayi.

The Kinshasa-born 34-year-old was recently released by Cesena, having had spells with Gent, Torino and Union Saint-Gilloise, before five years with Bologna.

Mudingayi made 17 appearances for Belgium between 2003 and 2008 and has been linked with Celtic in the past. (Tutto Mercato)

Bankier blasts ‘racist’ fans

Celtic chairman Ian Bankier described some of the club’s fans’ online treatment of fellow director Lord Ian Livingston as “criminally racist” at the club’s annual general meeting.

Tory peer Livingston recently voted in favour of UK Government tax credit cuts, which prompted a section of the Celtic support to start an online petition calling for his removal. Almost 10,000 have signed it but the proposal to re-elect him is likely to be carried when the votes are counted.

Bankier said at the AGM: “The messages posted, in quite a few cases are criminally racist and in all cases the vocabulary chosen is base and highly abusive,” the Celtic chairman added. (The Scotsman)

Oldco Rangers administrators ‘to take HMRC to court’

BDO, the liquidators of oldco Rangers are set to challenge the Big Tax Case verdict on Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs) with the Supreme Court, according to reports.

A Court of Session ruled earlier this month that Rangers, between 2001 and 2010, broke tax rules when they utilised the EBT scheme to help pay players and managers.

They are expected to announce the appeal next week. (The Scotsman)

Deila keen on ‘B’ team in lower leagues

RONNY Deila has admitted he would like to see a Celtic ‘B’ team in the lower leagues.

Deila believes clubs having second teams playing competitive football would help bridge the gap between under-20s and the first team.

He said: “We want to bring players in to train with the first team when they are 16/17 years old, like Kieran Tierney and Aidan Nesbitt and we do that.

“When they get to the age of 19 or 20 I think playing in the under-20s team is too easy for them and also it is a big gap between playing for the under-20s and playing at Celtic Park and playing for Celtic.” (Various)

Aberdeen take shot with Pistol

ABERDEEN have taken Manchester City youngster Nick Pistol on trial as they look to bolster their options.

The shot-stopper took part in the Dons’ match with Forres Mechanics along with fellow trialist Harlaine Mbayo.

Aberdeen are looking for cover as U20 goalies Robbie Mutch and David Craddock are out with injuries. (Evening Express)

Stubbs defends Malonga trip

ALAN Stubbs has insisted Dominique Malonga’s latest tour of duty with Congo wasn’t a waste of time even though the Hibs striker travelled more than 10,000 miles and didn’t play one minute of football.

Malonga was proud to be recalled to the squad for their World Cup double-header against Ethiopia but returned to East Mains disappointed to have been an unused substitute throughout.

However, Stubbs believes Hibs could benefit from that body blow as Malonga seeks to impress Congo’s new manager, with last boss Claude LeRoy having quit immediately after the second victory over Ethiopia. (Evening News)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Alim Ozturk is close to a return to first-team action for Hearts, having struggled with injuries this season

• Self-confessed Hoops fan and Leeds manager Steve Evans has claimed he would ‘turn down Celtic’ to remain at Elland Road

• Robbie Neilson has claimed there is ‘no point’ in talking about a 16-team top flight, saying it boils down to TV revenue and money

• Ronny Deila has backed under-fire midfielder Stefan Johansen, saying he can bounce back from his dip in form

Rumour Mill: Celtic eye Gaby Mudingayi | Bankier slams fans | BDO in HMRC court bid