Rumour Mill: Celtic | van Dijk | Rangers | Hibs

Celtic players are a picture of dejection after Fredy Guarin's late goal. Picture: Getty

Celtic crash out of Europe as Deila and van Dijk slam ref but club faces sweat over fans’ flares Llambias threatens to sue Rangers fans; Cummings ‘will learn from errors’ says Hibs boss as Ciftci faces ban

Deila blasts referee as Celtic bow out

RONNY Deila laid the blame for Celtic’s defeat in Milan at the door of referee Ivan Kruzliak, after the Slovakian whistler sent off Virgil van Dijk, booked five other Celtic players and turned down two penalty calls from the Hoops.

Celtic lost 1-0 to Inter Milan after Fredy Guarin’s 88th-minute goal.

And the Celtic boss pointed the finger at the official, saying: “The sending off was very cheap. The ref had a bad day at work. If we had had such a bad day, we would have lost 6-0 tonight. I don’t need to say any more about him.”

“I feel very sorry for [the players] but I’m very proud of them. We made a very good performance for 90 minutes. When we had 11 players against 11 we had control of the game. It’s tough to take.” (The Scotsman)

Van Dijk slams Kruzliak as ‘worst ref he’s seen’

VIRGIL van Dijk last night hit out at Ivan Kruzliak claiming he didn’t deserve one booking, let alone two.

Celtic players are a picture of dejection after Fredy Guarin's late goal. Picture: Getty

The Dutch stopper was sent packing by the Slovakian whistler for two first-half bookings - but the former Groningen defender called it a ‘terrible decision’.

He added: “That is the worst referee I’ve experienced in my career. I don’t know why he made this decision but it was shocking.”

Van Dijk also said Celtic would have had a chance if he’d stayed on the park, and pointed to Stuart Armstrong’s penalty shout.

“If I’d stayed on the pitch for 90 minutes, we’d have had a big chance to go through,” he added. “There was a shout for a penalty and a lot of other things. Like I said, the referee got so many things wrong.” (The Sun)

A dejected Scott Brown leaves the field. Picture: Getty

Celtic face action over fans’ San Siro flare

JUST days after copping a £7300 fine for the behaviour of their fans at an away tie in Croatia, Celtic are likely to face further UEFA action after the travelling support in Italy set off at least one flare at the match.

Portuguese match delegate Alvaro Albino is likely to mention that incident and Inter supporters doing likewise in his match report.

“That’s very disappointing,” said Deila in reaction to last night’s latest incident. “We have to get rid of this, it’s nothing to do with football. The fans were unbelievable today but, again, they have to behave in the right way.” (The Scotsman)

Celtic fans light a flare during the match. Picture: Getty

Inter fans applaud Celtic support

INTER Milan supporters stayed behind to applaud their Celtic counterparts at the San Siro last night, according to fans.

Celtic supporters who travelled to the match reported that the Italians had stayed behind to clap the Hoops fans, with some throwing green and white scarves to the assembled Milan fans.

Llambias threatens to sue Rangers fans

RANGERS chief Derek Llambias has threatened to sue the Gers fans he banned from Ibrox last week.

The Ibrox chief fired the club’s official Fans Board in reaction to their decision to publish minutes of a recent meeting.

A letter yesterday from the Rangers regime confirmed their removal.

But Llambias now has plans to see them in court for failing to have the group’s Facebook page taken down off the internet. (Daily Record)

McDowall slams SFA over Simonsen ban appeal

KENNY McDowall reckons the SFA are picking on Rangers, after compliance officer Tony McGlennan demanded further punishment for Steve Simonsen, who was found to have breached betting guidelines.

And stand-in boss McDowall believes that the appeal has been lodged based on who Simonsen plays for.

McDowall told the Daily Record: “It’s the first time they’ve done this but should we be surprised?

“I find it unbelievable that someone from the SFA can bring it back up again after they’ve appointed a panel who made a decision on it.

“And now the compliance officer isn’t happy with that decision. So what’s the point of it? Steve took his ban and thought that was him, ready to go.” (Daily Record)

Newcastle quartet missing for Rangers

HARIS Vuckic remains the only fit Newcastle loan player for Rangers as they head to Falkirk tonight.

Kevin Mbabu has started training with the Ibrox side but the Swiss defender, along with midfielder Gael Bigirimana, defender Remie Streete and winger Shane Ferguson are all unavailable.

Ferguson still hasn’t arrived at Murray Park, instead remaining on Tyneside for treatment.

Hibs boss: Cummings will learn from mistakes

HIBS boss Alan Stubbs has told striker Jason Cummings will learn from his mistakes after the 19-year-old was caught up in an incident at a McDonald’s.

Cummings was the focus of unsavoury news stories after muffins were allegedly thrown in an early morning fracas at a McDonald’s restaurant in Edinburgh’s Gorgie Road.

And while those close to the forward have insisted he was just a bystander, Stubbs has said he wants Cummings to learn from his mistakes.

The former Celtic and Everton defender said: “Jason is young and he is exuberant and he is a confident, young boy. I remember being a young footballer too. You treat everyone on their own merits.

“I have to say I was no angel when I was younger but you learn. That is all we want Jason to do – to learn. Don’t keep making mistakes, learn from it.” (The Scotsman)

Ciftci faces two-match ban

DUNDEE United striker Nadir Ciftci faces a two-match suspension after being accused of violent conduct during the 1-1 draw with Inverness CT.

The Turkish hitman has been accused of striking Caley Thistle’s Gary Warren ‘upon his neck or head with your arm’.

United are to contest the ban after refusing the fixed-match suspension offer, with a hearing scheduled for next week.

Ciftci is also ruled out of the Scottish League Cup final due to suspension. (Various)