Rumour Mill: Craig Gordon | Hibs | Rangers

Craig Gordon is all smiles as he joins Celtic. Picture: SNS

Gordon has No 1 spots in sights

CRAIG Gordon put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Celtic yesterday and vowed to claim the starting berth for his country as well as the Hoops.

Gordon, who hasn’t played a competitive game in over two years, signed with the Scottish champions yesterday and is targeting a return to the international scene.

His last match for Scotland came in 2010, after an impressive four-year period where he won 40 caps and drew praise from Italian goalie Gigi Buffon, as well as keeping clean sheets in two 1-0 wins over France.

Gordon said: “Scotland isn’t a long-term aim, it’s a short-term one. I want to get back there as soon as possible.

“But I need games and I need to stay fit.” (Various)

Hoops record Krasnodar friendly win

GOALS from Anthony Stokes, Stefan Johansen and youngster Callum McGregor gave Ronny Deila a 3-1 win over FK Krasnodar in Austria last night.

Odil Ahmedov equalised after Stokes’ early goal but a strong Celtic side - including Kris Commons, Charlie Mulgrew and Virgil van Dijk - were no match for the Russians at the Hofmaninger Stadion.

Hibs fans hit out at lack of white sleeves on new kit

FURIOUS Hibs fans have blasted the club after the new home kit was released yesterday - without white sleeves.

The new home strip, sponsored by Marathonbet, features a bottle-green shirt, white shorts and black socks, in a nod to the club’s strip between 1923 and 1931.

Billed as a tribute to famous forward line the Famous Five, the new kit has nevertheless drawn criticism from sections of the support.

Disgruntled fan Portyhibernian said on fans’ forum Hibs.net: “That’s not a fitting tribute to the Famous Five, all that is is a training top with a Hibs badge chucked on it” while fellow fans said it was a ‘slap in the face.’

Hibs will wear the new kit in their pre-season friendly against Vale of Leithen tomorrow. (The Scotsman)

Rangers fans blast Stockbridge share handout

THE Union of Fans has launched a stinging attack on the club’s issue of shares worth more than £200,000 to ex-finance chief Brian Stockbridge.

Questioning the role of the Easdale brothers in the agreement with Stockbridge, the supporters’ umbrella group has repeated its insistence that the current Ibrox board cannot be trusted, and again urged fans to support the club game by game, rather than buying season tickets.

The Union also alleged that Rangers chairman David Somers misled shareholders at the latest AGM by suggesting Stockbridge would not take up his option.

The group will now release contributors to its Ibrox 1872 fund from their binding financial commitment – a sign that it now sees no hope of reaching agreement with the board about the security of Ibrox. (The Scotsman)

Gers see off Buckie in friendly

TWO goals from Callum Gallagher, and Kenny Miller’s first Rangers goal since signing gave Rangers a 3-0 win over Highland League outfit Buckie Thistle at Victoria Park last night.

Rangers fielded a strong line-up, with Cammy Bell, Nicky Law and Barrie McKay all starting. Miller came on as a second half substitute but there was no appearance by fellow returning striker Kris Boyd.

The Ibrox club continue to be linked with ex-Cardiff player Don Cowie. (The Scotsman)

Robinson sees red as Hearts beaten by Bulgarians

SCOTT Robinson was sent off in the dying minutes as Hearts slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Bulgarian cracks Ludogorets Razgrad.

The Edinburgh club handed debuts to Alim Ozturk, Neil Alexander and Morgaro Gomis, with trialist Lee Currie and James Keatings making second half substitute appearances.

Marcelo Costa’s deflected effort after 66 minutes gave Razgrad the lead, while Zlatko Zlatinski’s penalty just minutes later increasing their advantage.

Robinson picked up a second yellow card after two rash challenges in the closing stages.

Dons maul nine-man Daugava

ABERDEEN have all but secured their passage into the next round of the Europa League qualifiers - and a clash with Dutch side Groningen - after an emphatic 5-0 win over Daugava Riga at Pittodrie.

Goals from Shay Logan, Niall McGinn, Jonny Hayes and a double from Adam Rooney sent the 15000-strong crowd wild with delight - and it could have been more after the Dons missed a first half penalty.

The Latvian outfit had Aurimas Kuycs and Vitalijs Zils sent off as Daugava lost the plot. (The Scotsman)

News in brief

• Ex-Hibs duo Tom Taiwo and Alan Maybury joined Falkirk as Peter Houston brought in five new signings yesterday, including former Hearts ‘keeper Jamie MacDonald

• Ryan Gauld has thanked the Dundee United fans after sealing his move to Sporting Lisbon

Rumour Mill: Craig Gordon | Hibs | Rangers | Dons