Rumour Mill: John Guidetti | Motherwell

Talks: Celtic striker John Guidetti. Picture: SNS

Celtic inch closer to John Guidetti

Talks with John Guidetti and his agents to get the hitman to convert his loan move to a permanent contract are being conducted almost on a daily basis.

But, while the Swede is being offered the chance to stay, Jo Inge Berget appears to be on his way out as room is made and wages freed up for more new recruits.

“We talk together a lot, John and me,” said the manager. “Hopefully, we can are going to get an agreement. But, it’s not easy, with players and agents.

“I think it would be a good choice for him and I think he wants it. But, there are many people (involved) in a decision like that.” (Times)

Tottenham set to enter chase for Virgil Van Dijk

Spurs are set to enter the January transfer chase for Celtic’s £10million-rated defender Virgil Van Dijk.

White Hart Lane boss Mauricio Pochettino will try to prise the Dutch-man away from the Scottish champions during the transfer window.

And key to the plan is Spurs’ new head of recruitment and analysis – former Southampton star finder Paul Mitchell.

Mitchell was behind Southampton’s failed £8m bid for Van Dijk in the summer.

He was also responsible for Saints spending £22m on Celtic stars Victor Wanyama and Fraser Forster in the past 18 months. Now that he has quit Saints to overhaul Spurs’ recruitment drive, Mitchell is set to pursue Van Dijk again.

Spurs will face competition from Premier League rivals Swansea, Southampton, Newcastle, Arsenal and Manchester City for the 23-year-old, who joined Celts from Groningen for £2.6m in 2013. (Express)

Billionaire Les Hutchison revealed as man behind Well Society

Billionaire Scot Les Hutchison is the man behind the proposed Motherwell fans’ takeover of the club. The 60-year-old, who is based in Barbados, will fund the plan to take over John Boyle’s shareholding and if he is successful it will fend off interest from an Argentine consortium. (Sun)

Rangers Supporters’ Trust hits out at Celtic

The Rangers Supporters’ Trust last night hit out at Celtic over fans who vandalised Tynecastle.

A statement said: “The Trust is disgusted to learn a group of Celtic fans daubed offensive,sectarian graffiti, mocking the Ibrox disaster, on the walls.

We are even more disgusted by the attitude of Celtic which is to try to distance themselves from the behaviour of their fans.

We welcome Ann Budge’s statement and support her attempts to highlight the disgraceful behaviour of a sizeable minority of the Celtic support.” (Record)

Motherwell are ready name their new manager

Motherwell are ready to name their new manager within the next 48 hours – with Terry Butcher the front-runner to reclaim the Fir Park hotseat.

Club chiefs will wrap up the interview process by tomorrow with Dutch duo Mitchell van der Gaag and Rob Maaskant the latest names in the frame.

Former Kilmarnock boss Kenny Shiels has also had talks and the board will speak with an English candidate today before meeting caretaker boss Kenny Black tomorrow.

Former Well stars van der Gaag and Maaskant were assessed last week and were in the stands for the 1-0 defeat by Celtic. (Record)

Lee Wallace’s agony over friend’s death

Rangers players are rallying round Lee Wallace after the death of one of his closest friends. The defender was forced to pull out of the Ibrox side’s1-0 win over Cowdenbeath after the news was broken to him. Lee McCulloch said: “It was a real tragedy and our thoughts first and foremost go out to the family. The news hit Lee hard and the gaffer quite rightly pulled him out of the match.” (Record)

Detectives widen probe into Ibrox saga

Detectives have widened their investigations into the Rangers saga to probe the circumstances around Charles Green’s Ibrox buy-out and a subsequent £70m cash burn. The police apparently spent time in London interviewing key individuals who were involved in Green’s chaotic reign from June 2012 to the summer of 2013. As well as investigating why Green was selected as preferred bidder in the first place, the police want to know where large sums of Ibrox money disappeared to over the course of the next few months. (Record)

Sporting Lisbon to compete with Celtic for Armstrong

Celtic face competition in their efforts to land Stuart Armstrong after Sporting Lisbon emerged as rival bidders for the Dundee United midfielder.

Scotland’s reigning champions are poised to reignite their interest in the 22-year-old when the January transfer window opens.

Celtic assistant manager John Collins went on a specific scouting mission to watch Armstrong in action for Dundee United against Motherwell in the Scottish Cup.

But reports in Portugal now suggest that Sporting are keen to land yet another promising Tannadice youngster, having swooped to sign Ryan Gauld on a six-year deal in the summer — and immediately slapping a £48million buy-out clause on the attacker. (Mail)

Ronny Deila wants to send Liam Henderson out on loan.

The 18-year-old made a big impression towards the end of last season but has found opportunities limited under the new regime. “I think the players are thinking of their own situation and we have to talk to them and find the right option for them,” Deila explained about his side’s development squad. “It’s also looking at the younger players and seeing if we can loan them out, so they come back to us at a better level – just like Callum has done.

“When you talk about development and getting challenges at his level, Liam has a better level (than the Development League) and can play in the Premiership.

“Often the value can be better if they show themselves at the other clubs, and show that they are good players. (VideoCelts.com)

Craig Gordon reveals player’s desire to win

Craig Gordon last night revealed making it nine in a row on the home front wasn’t enough to prevent a dressing-room summit.

The Celtic keeper admitted Hoops stars were frustrated at their lack of a cutting edge in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Motherwell.

He said: “There’s a good atmosphere in the dressing room. There are guys who will have a go. Nothing over the top, it wasn’t a row or anything, but a good exchange of views.

He said: “There’s a good atmosphere in the dressing room. There are guys who will have a go. Nothing over the top, it wasn’t a row or anything, but a good exchange of views. (Record)

News in brief:

• Sergio Aguero could be set to miss seven games through injury. (Mail)

• Sam Allardyce is delighted after Andy Caroll scored twice to help West Ham win 3-1 and move up into third place in the league. (Mail)

Rumour Mill: John Guidetti | Motherwell | Lee Wallace