Rumour Mill: Celtic eye South American ace, SFA on Rangers probe, goalkeeper pens Celtic deal, Hearts and Hibs latest - Scottish Premiership Rumour Mill

The latest Scottish football news, transfer rumours, and gossip...

Renato Tapia in action for Feyenoord against Rangers at Ibrox

Peru ace on Celtic’s radar

Celtic are mulling over a move for soon-to-be-released Peruvian internationalist Renato Tapia. The 24-year-old defensive midfielder is set to leave Dutch side Feyenoord this summer and his ability to operate at centre-back and full-back could persuade Neil Lennon to make an approach for the highly-rated Lima-born player. Both Celtic and Rangers were linked with the player in January of this year. (Libero)

Budge recontstruction plan ‘ready by Friday’

Hearts owner Ann Budge plans to finalise a league reconstruction proposal by the end of this week and circulate it to clubs across the Scottish Professional Football League. Budge’s priority above all else is devising a restructuring model which would expand the Premiership from 12 to 14 or potentially 16 teams, thus keeping Hearts in Scotland’s top flight. (Evening News)

SFA closes probe againt Rangers UEFA licence

The SFA has announced it will not refer a notice of complaint against Rangers over the club’s 2011-12 Uefa licence to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. It is understood that, according to rules over licensing breaches as they stood in 2018, Rangers would only be liable for a five-figure fine if CAS found against them. In contrast, legal costs could run to several hundred thousand pounds and the SFA has put aside one of the longest-running contentious issues in the Scottish game between supporters of Glasgow big two. (The Scotsman)

Hoops bid to ward off Benfica and Liverpool

Celtic are ready to offer highly-rated teen Daniel Kelly a bumper five-year deal in a bid to stave off interest from Benfica and Liverpool. The 14-year-old has been tracked by a host of top clubs and the Hoops are eager to avoid another Liam Morrison situation. Last year the defender joined German giants Bayern Munich and with Kelly considered a top prospect for the future, the Parkhead side are keen to hold onto him. (Daily Record)

McGinn in semi-final plea

Hibs defender Paul McGinn is hopeful the Easter Road side’s Scottish Cup semi-final with Hearts can go ahead – in front of fans. Having watched his younger brother John, now with Aston Villa, become a Hibs legend after lifting the Scottish Cup in 2016, ending the club's 114-year wait for the trophy, McGinn is desperate to follow in his footsteps. He added: "It would be great to help Hibs win it again, it's just a shame we might not get to play our semi-final, but you never know. I don't know what they'll do with it, but it would be good to get another attempt to do that again. I'd love to get it played, especially now if the derbies aren't going to happen in the league. It would be a massive game.” (Evening News)

Celtic teen signs new deal

Celtic goalkeeper Ryan Mullen has signed a new three-year deal with the club. The 19-year-old put pen to paper on a new deal and is highly-rated by fans of the Hoops despite having not made a senior appearance. (Various)

O’Hara eyes permanent ‘Well stay

Mark O’Hara has enjoyed his loan spell at Motherwell so much the former Dundee man is eager to return for the new season on a permanent basis. The 24-year-old playmaker impressed under Stephen Robinson and is hopeful that the deal agreed in principle between parent club Peterborough and the Steelmen will be completed. (The Sun)