Rumour Mill: Fraser Forster | Samaras

Celtic's highly-rated goalkeeper Fraser Forster could be departing in summer. Picture: SNS

Lennon expects Forster bids in summer

CELTIC manager Neil Lennon has admitted that he expects to sell highly-rated shot-stopper Fraser Forster in the summer, and urged the Parkhead fans to appreciate the ‘world-class’ goalie while he is still at the club.

And the Hoops could look for a fee in the region of £7.5 million, with Newcastle reportedly due to receive a percentage of any transfer fee paid for the England international.

Lennon, who is already eyeing up potential replacements, said: “We received no bids for Fraser in the January window. I think there will be something in the summer for him but he seems happy here and content.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if something happens in the summer or we get offers then.”

Forster will today try and keep his 12th successive clean sheet as Celtic take on St Mirren today. (Sunday Mail)

Samaras wanted by Norwich

GREEK forward Georgios Samaras could team-up with former Parkhead team-mate Gary Hooper at Carrow Road, with reports Norwich are interested in taking the 28-year-old to East Anglia.

The Canaries were set to try and engineer a £2.5 million move for Samaras after Sunderland gave up on the striker following the signing of Ignacio Scocco from Internacional, but a deal could not be forced through before the transfer window closed.

However, Norwich could return for the inconsistent Celtic forward during the summer, despite the Parkhead club appearing keen to hold onto Samaras. (SportDirect)

Lennon abused by fans at Aberdeen-St Johnstone clash

NEIL Lennon was forced to leave Aberdeen’s match yesterday with St Johnstone early, after fans began throwing missiles at the Celtic boss, who was seated in the main stand.

Lennon was running the rule over Aberdeen, who the Hoops face in a Scottish Cup clash next week.

The Celtic manager’s representative, Martin Reilly, said: “From the moment he took his seat, Neil was spat on, verbally abused, had coins thrown at him and eventually he had to leave. This is the second time that something has happened to Neil at Tynecastle, so there is obviously something wrong with the security.”

Eyewitnesses seated near the manager told the Scotland on Sunday that Lennon withstood almost an hour of verbal abuse, before ‘fans started throwing plastic cups and coins at him.’

It is understood that stewards then moved Lennon closer to the pitch, but projectiles continued to be thrown.

Neither the police nor the SPFL have so far received any complaints, but both Celtic and Aberdeen are investigating the matter. (Scotland on Sunday)

McCoist blasts Mohsni over ‘stupid’ red card

ALLY McCoist has confirmed he will have words with Ibrox defender Bilel Mohsni over his red card against Brechin yesterday. The Rangers boss branded the French stopper a ‘schoolboy’ after the 26-year-old received a second yellow card for kicking the ball at City midfielder Allan Walker after fouling him.

“Bilel gives the referee the opportunity for a second yellow. I am extremely disappointed and plan to speak to Bilel. It was a needless yellow card,” McCoist said. (Sunday Post)

Wallace in no rush to leave Ibrox

MEANWHILE, Rangers defender Lee Wallace - the subject of two failed bids during the transfer window from Nottingham Forest - has insisted he never considered leaving Ibrox.

The former Hearts full-back said: “I’m over the moon to still be here. We’ve got a championship to wrap up, a Ramsdens Cup final to win and a Scottish Cup tie to look forward to.”

And Wallace said that he would have ‘dealt with it’, if a bid for the Scotland international had been accepted by Rangers.

He added: “If I’m in the manager’s plans, I see myself here for a long time. I wasn’t worried when the bids came in.” (Sunday Post)

Hamill to look to Wigan for inspiration

HEARTS midfielder Jamie Hamill has revealed he watched Wigan stun Manchester City to win last season’s FA Cup - but then saw them relegated days later - and has admitted he’d love to do the reverse at Hearts.

Hamill said: “I want to get to the [Scottish League Cup] Final as well but at the end of the day if I was to choose one, it would be staying in the league, hands down - same as everyone else in the dressing room.

“I’d love to get there and stay in the league - maybe getting there would take a wee bit of the strain away from the league and give us something to look forward to.”

Hearts will face high-flying Aberdeen if they can get past Inverness CT at Easter Road today in a repeat of last season’s league cup semi. (Various)

Football news in brief

• JOHN Hughes hopes that Hibs fans will be backing Inverness in today’s semi-final with Hearts

• CELTIC striker Tony Watt could extend his loan spell at Belgian side Lierse beyond the end of the season after hitting a purple patch in front of goal

• STEVEN Thompson is aiming to ruin Fraser Forster’s hopes of making it 12 clean sheets on the bounce when St Mirren play the Hoops today

• JACKIE McNamara has hit out at referee Willie Collum after Dundee United’s 1-1 draw with Partick Thistle at Firhill

• STEFAN Johansen has called on England boss Roy Hodgson to take Fraser Forster to Brazil this summer

• NEIL Lennon has warned new striker Leigh Griffiths that he has a bigger responsibility and can’t get involved with spats with members of the public. Griffiths was embroiled in a number of minor controversies, especially on Twitter, prior to signing for the Hoops

Rumour Mill: Fraser Forster | Samaras | Rangers