Rumour Mill: Hooper to Norwich?

Gary Hooper could wave goodbye to hopes of playing in the English top flight. Picture: Robert Perry

Hooper to Norwich deal in jeopardy; QPR could make £5m bid

Gary Hooper’s proposed move to Norwich City could be set to collapse, after the Premier League side issued the SPL champions with a £4 million ultimatum.

The Canaries have reportedly told Celtic that they have until 5pm today to accept the bid for the club’s top scorer.

Meanwhile QPR, relegated from the Premier League last season, could be set to make a £5.5m bid for the English striker. Harry Redknapp’s side join Hull City in already having £4m bids rejected.

Lennon wants Sharp replacement

Celtic are reportedly eyeing up a £1.5 million bid for Southampton striker Billy Sharp.

The Sun claim that the forward is high on Neil Lennon’s list of transfer targets, amid speculation around the future of Gary Hooper.

Lennon has already lost star midfielder Victor Wanyama this summer - ironically, to Southampton. (Sun)

McFadden and McManus to sign Motherwell deals

Scotland international James McFadden is expected to sign a new contract to remain at Fir Park this season.

The attacker could conclude negotiations today - and according to Stuart McCall he could be back in Motherwell colours tomorrow against Newcastle United. (Herald)

Meanwhile, former Celtic defender Stephen McManus is also expected to sign up with McCall’s side. The 30-year-old is believed to have turned down an offer from Hibs to head to the Steelmen. (Sun)

PSNI: ‘Celtic will be safe for Champions League tie’

Northern Ireland’s police force have sought to reassure Celtic staff and fans that their vital Champions League tie with Cliftonville will go off without trouble on Wednesday.

Loyalist rioting continued overnight for the third straight day, with the bulk of the violence in the north of the city - home to Celtic’s opponents.

Cliftonville chairman Gerard Lawlor told the Mail that there were “no concerns whatsoever” over security at Wednesday’s game. (Mail)

New ICT signing ‘didn’t know where Inverness was’

James Vincent has revealed that he needed an atlas to find his new Highland home.

The midfielder signed from Kidderminster in June, and admitted that when he first heard of manager Terry Butcher’s interest he was unsure of where he might end up.

Vincent said: “I didn’t really know anything about Inverness but as soon as I arrived I knew I’d made the right decision.” (Sun)

Former Celtic man O’Dea makes unwanted Ukraine move

Darren O’Dea is leaving MLS side Toronto FC - but says he didn’t have a say in the switch.

O’Dea took to Twitter to vent his frustration, saying: “I’m discussing terms with another team. Not what I want! Not got a choice!”

O’Dea was captain of the team before the enforced switch. (Sun)

• Dundee United have taken French defender Jean-Yves Koue on trial - the Cannes stopper is at United’s Spanish training camp.

• Scotland winger Matt Phillips is out of next month’s game with England after breaking his elbow in training at Blackpool.

• Falkirk’s Lyle Taylor is on Sheffield United boss David Weir’s list of transfer targets. The 23-year-old has also been linked with a move to Hibs.

Rumour Mill: Hooper to Norwich? | Stephen McManus