Rumour Mill: Celtic | Old Firm chants

Kris Commons looks set to miss the Inter game. Picture: John Devlin

Kris Commons set to miss Celtic’s Euro clash with Inter Milan

Kris Commons is a major doubt for Celtic’s Europa League showdown with Inter Milan.

The midfielder was withdrawn midway through his side’s Scottish Cup win at Dundee nine days ago with a hamstring injury and is now odds-against making Ronny Deila’s starting side on Thursday.

Despite suffering a grade one hamstring strain, Commons has been able to take part in limited training over the past few days.

While it’s not inconceivable that he could improve his chances of playing by taking an injection, the prospect of missing potentially up to two months by further aggravating the injury is foremost in his thoughts. (Daily Mail)

Rangers and Celtic unlikely to face SPFL sanction

The Scottish Professional Football League is unlikely to take any disciplinary action against Celtic or Rangers in relation to the conduct of supporters at the League Cup semi-final earlier this month.

A spokesman for the SPFL said: “Official reports from the match are still awaited. However, it is clear from information already received that all parties prepared properly and thoroughly for the match and, to date, we have not seen any evidence of any breach of SPFL rules by either club.” (Scotsman)

Rangers set to announce new EGM venue

Rangers have located another venue in London to host next month’s EGM, it has been reported.

The meeting was forced to move venues after the Millenium Hotel had cancelled on the club citing fears of ‘disruptions to guests and neighbours’. The meeting will now be held at the Grange Tower Bridge hotel in London.

Due to take place on 4 March, the EGM has been called by businessman Dave King, who is hoping to remove the current regime from power.

The BBC are reporting that a new venue has been agreed and will be announced on Tuesday. (Scotsman)

Inter defender to consult Haris Vuckic on Celtic

Inter Milan defender Davide Santon will get the lowdown on Celtic from Rangers midfielder Haris Vuckic.

The Italian side are set to train at Murray Park on Thursday – the day they face the Hoops in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 showdown at Parkhead.

Santon, 24, knows Vuckic well as they are both on loan from parent club Newcastle United.

Full-back Santon, who has eight Italy caps, said: “I have already spoken to Haris since he moved to Glasgow, but I will give him a call again this week. I haven’t talked to him about Celtic yet, but I will ask him some questions in the next couple of days.

“I will find out what he thinks about them and if he can give us any advice.” (Express)

Chris Sutton backing John Guidetti for a future at Celtic

Chris Sutton believes the loan striker can still have a big future at Parkhead, and he said of those now doubting the 22-year-old: “That’s a bit unfair on Guidetti. I know he hasn’t scored for a number of games. But you’ve got him, Stefan Scepovic and Leigh Griffiths all vying for one place.

“It’s a bit unforgiving when you’re left out then come in and are expected to score. That’s not easy.

“In fairness to Griffiths, he’s looking exceptionally sharp, and it would be an enormous surprise if he didn’t start against Inter.

“With Guidetti, though, he has proved he can score goals. I just think he needs a run in the team. But, is he going to get it with Griffiths playing as well as he is doing?” (Evening Times)

Rangers First break 10,000 mark

Rangers First is now the United Kingdom’s leading fan ownership group - despite it being just a year since it was set up.

The scheme has grown rapidly since it was incorporated as a Community Interest Company back in May last year.

And the group has announced they now have a 1.75% shareholding in the Glasgow giants and over 10,000 members. (Evening Times)

Celtic eyeing Zakaria Bakkali switch

Celtic have stepped up their chase for PSV teenage star Zakaria Bakkali. A PSV source have formally made contact to inform them of their talks with the Belgian star, whose contract is up in the summer. (Sun)

Dundee United set to sell entire Cup Final ticket allocation

Dundee United look on course to sell out their Scottish League Cup Final ticket allocation.

In all, the Tangerines can get 18,000 briefs for the March 15 Hampden date against Celtic.

Within three hours of them going on sale to season ticket holders this morning, around 6,000 had been snapped up. (Evening Telegraph)

Paul Hartley challenges his Dundee side to keep top six place

Dundee boss Paul Hartley has challenged his players to keep their top-six place after securing a “massive” win over Partick at Dens.

Paul said: “It was a good finish to the game but it wasn’t the best game in terms of quality.

“Credit to the players, they kept going and never gave up and we got a really good goal. That was the best bit of quality all day.

“It’s a massive thing for us to get into that top six — and the challenge now for the players is can they stay in the top six?

“We’re hoping we can but we’re really down in numbers just now so the challenge to the players is to stay in there.” (Evening Telegraph)

News in brief:

• Liverpool ready to pay a club record fee of £37m for Roma star £37m (Mirror)

• Cesc Fabregas set to miss PSG game after coming down with the flu. (Mirror)

• Kenny Dalglish says Inter Milan have fallen from grace and are a shadow of the team they once were. (Express)

•Celtic ‘must start Leigh Griffiths’ against Inter

Rumour Mill: Celtic | Old Firm chants | Rangers EGM