Rumour Mill: Celtic looking at winger?

Celtic keen on Bulgaria’s Tonev

Celtic could make a move for ten-cap Bulgarian winger Aleksandar Tonev.

Tonev, who plays for Lech Poznan, is under contract at the Polish side for the next two seasons. Tonev was voted Bulgaria’s best young player before making his move to Poland. (Record/Sun)

Scotland v Serbia build-up

Gordon Strachan will make reportedly make wholesale changes to his Scotland side for tonight’s game with Serbia, with Jordan Rhodes set to start up front. Strachan described aspects of the 2-1 loss to Wales as “freaky”, and is keen to avoid a repeat. (Mail)

Strachan is right to want to avoid defeat, as Scotland could be the first team in Europe to be officially eliminated from the World Cup qualifying hunt if results don’t go their way.

If Scotland lose to Serbia tonight, England draw or lose their game over the border in Montenegro, and Andorra avoid a loss to Estonia, then Scotland will be first out. (Herald)

Scotland are odds-on favourites to finish dead last in their World Cup qualifying group. McBookie make the national side 4/5 to finish bottom of the pool. (Express)

The view from Serbia

Serbian boss Sinisa Mihajlovic has said that Scotland can remain positive - as they aren’t the worst team in Europe.

“They are not Luxembourg, Andorra, or San Marino,” the manager said.

“It remains a fact that this was the hardest group by far.”

Meanwhile, Serbian captain Branislav Ivanovic has said the Scots will be walking into a hostile atmosphere in Novi Sad tonight - but that most of the anger will be directed at the home side.

Serbia lost a bitter and acrimonious game with Croatia 2-0 at the weekend, and the skipper said: “The fans that do turn up will be angry.” (Record)

Dunfermline latest

Gavin Masterton, the majority shareholder at Dunfermline, is expected to take the club into administration later today. It is believed that money has been found to secure finances to the extent that administration can be carried out, and that HMRC officials are willing to permit the move. (Herald)

Dunfermline winger Joe Cardle has said that the Pars squad feel let down by Masterton, who Cardle claims has made a number of unfulfilled promises to players and staff before going quiet.

Cardle said: “We’ve not heard a thing from him since before Christmas. We went three or four months with nobody telling us a thing and then some money would drop into our accounts all of a sudden.” (Record)

‘I’ll play in blue again’, says Thomson

Hibs midfielder Kevin Thomson has insisted that he will play for Scotland again.

The midfielder, who joined the Easter Road side on a short-term deal earlier in March, said he has unfinished business with the national side.

“It is something that really grates on me that I only have three international caps.

“It’s something that’s a big regret, through injury, the frustration of not playing as much as I would have liked to for the national team.” (The Sun)

IN OTHER NEWS

• St Mirren’s new kit will feature a Paisley print pattern, in a play on the Buddies’ home town’s fashion heritage. The print was shown in a teaser image on the club’s website. (Record)

• Jamie Hamill could make his first Hearts start in almost a year at Pittodrie on Saturday. The defender is recovering from a knee injury. (Record)

• Aiden McGeady could be set for a reunion with former boss Martin O’Neill. The Ulsterman is keen to bring the Spartak Moscow man to the Stadium of Light, if he can keep the Black Cats in the Premier League. (Mirror)

• Former Rangers midfielder Rino Gattuso has been handed a qualified coaching assistant to help him in his new role in charge of FC Sion. Gattuso was appointed as player-coach of the Swiss side earlier this season, despite having no prior experience of coaching. (Mail)

• Jose Mourinho could return to his birthplace as ‘The Special One’, with reports that he may be set for a second spell at Chelsea. (Mirror)

Rumour Mill: Celtic looking at winger? | Scotland build-up