Rumour Mill: Commons | Kris Boyd

Kris Commons: Wanted man. Picture: John Devlin

Deila unfazed by Neil Lennon’s Kris Commons interest

Celtic manager Ronny Deila has reiterated his intention to keep Kris Commons following morning reports that quoted new Bolton Wanderers manager Neil Lennon as saying he would be “interested” in the playmaker “at the right price”.

“My reaction is that no-one is leaving, we won’t want to sell anybody. We don’t want to be that team,” Deila said of Lennon’s reported interest. “I think we have a very good dialogue and process going on with this. This doesn’t worry me.” (Scotland on Sunday)

Strachan: Scotland fine without Republic of Ireland pair

Scotland are not suffering from not being able to field Scottish-born Republic of Ireland internationals Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy, according to manager Gordon Strachan. The pair, who both play for Everton, are expected to line up against Scotland next month in a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier.

Strachan praised the players when the subject was brought up, but insisted that his side were doing fine: “They’re two terrific players who are at a great club. They’re lads who have got the most out of their ability.”

He added: “It would be great to have them but they’re not there, so that’s it. And if they’ve left spaces in our squad, I think we’ve filled them up nicely.” (Sunday Mail)

Kris Boyd thanks Ally McCoist for goal-drought backing

Rangers striker Kris Boyd has thanked his manager Ally McCoist for backing him during a barren spell that he eventually ended by scoring in a 6-1 win over Raith Rovers.

Before yesterday’s goal, Boyd hadn’t managed to find the net in eight games - a fact for which the former Scotland striker admitted he could easily have been dropped.

“The biggest encouragement the manager has given me has been by keeping on playing me. For the manager, the easiest thing would have been to take me out of the team. The last time I was here I maybe scored a lot of goals but I didn’t do a lot more. I feel as if I’m contributing a lot more now.” (Sunday Mail)

‘30 scouts come to watch Hamilton game’

Table-topping Hamilton face a fight to keep their talented young squad together as reports have emerged that more than 30 scouts attended their 3-0 win over Aberdeen on Friday. A clutch of English club sides, including Swansea and Everton, were watching Hamilton.

Manager Alex Neil has admitted it would only be a matter of time before big clubs made enquiries, saying: “It wouldn’t surprise me if bigger clubs came in for them but they would have to be significant offers. I don’t want to lose them and neither do the club.”

Everton have bought regularly from Scotland, taking players such as James McFadden and Duncan Ferguson and turning them into English Premier League regulars. (Sunday Mail)

Barry Ferguson: Scott Brown has grown up

Former Scotland captain Barry Ferguson has praised his successor Scott Brown and his attitude to the game. Ex-Rangers skipper Ferguson, now managing Clyde, praised Brown’s performances against Georgia and Poland, and said he was unrecognisable from the player he knew as a Scotland team-mate.

“You always mature as you get older. Scott has come on leaps and bounds from what he was three or four years ago. It’s just gaining that experience and the responsibility that Broony’s got now as captain of Celtic and Scotland. You can’t knock the feisty side out of Scott because he would not be the same player. He knows how to control it now - that’s the difference.” (The Sun on Sunday)

Rumour Mill: Commons | Kris Boyd | Hamilton scouts