Rumour Mill: Kenny Miller | John Guidetti

Celtic striker John Guidetti rues another missed chance in yesterday's game. Picture: SNS

Kenny Miller: Our bottle has crashed

Shocked Kenny Miller admits the Rangers players’ confidence is at rock bottom after they slipped 15 points behind leaders Hearts.

Gers head into 2015 on the back of a 4-0 rout by Hibs – and striker Miller says the team’s bottle has crashed after another week of turmoil at Ibrox.

He said: “Listen, the team have a severe lack of confidence just now. We lack belief in ourselves and our team-mates. It’s as simple as that. You only need to look at the way we have performed over the last few weeks. Even when we have been winning it’s not been a level of performance we’ve been used to at this club.” (Record)

Kenny McDowall apologises for 4-0 defeat

Kenny McDowall has apologised to the Rangers support after commencing his tenure as caretaker manager with a humiliating 4-0 defeat by Hibs at Easter Road.

With Ally McCoist placed on gardening leave after tendering his resignation, McDowall prepared the players for Saturday’s Championship match but there was no improvement in performance as the team lost its fourth away fixture in succession. He said: “Going two down after 12 minutes is not an ideal start. All the work we had done on the training ground during the week went up in the air.

“I would like to apologise to the support. I am very disappointed with the performance. I don’t have any excuses for you — Hibs were the better team and deserved to win the game.” (Mail)

Ronny Deila backs John Guidetti to come good again

Celtic manager Ronny Deila has backed John Guidetti after the Swede drew another blank today in a 0-0 draw with Ross County. Guidetti, who was on fire earlier this season, has now not scored for five matches. “We know John Guidetti can score goals, he has done it before and has played good games”, Deila said via his club’s site.

“He hasn’t become a bad player in a month. It’s just small details we need to turn around.

“He has been out for a long time and came in with a lot of energy, now it’s dipping a bit but he will turn it around. My challenge is to get that back as quick as possible.

“His ambition is very high and he is more disappointed than everyone else.” (Insidefutbol)

Alan Stubbs: Rangers win was ‘close to perfect’

Right after Hibernian’s biggest win over Rangers for more than a century, Alan Stubbs told his players to savour the moment – but warned them against making it a boozy celebration.

The 4-0 win was Hibs’ biggest over Rangers since they scored five without reply in 1912. “I have told the lads to enjoy the performance,” said Stubbs, “because big results like that don’t come around that often.

“But they have to enjoy it the right way and that is by not drinking. I’ve told them I don’t want to see any of them out. I may, if they get a result at Tynecastle, allow them to enjoy that one a bit more. But they certainly won’t be out tonight.” (Scotsman)

Rangers chasing loan stars

Two of Newcastle’s young players who are possible signing targets for Rangers next month are defender Ryan McKinnon and striker Adam Campbell. It is understood they have also approached Manchester City too. (Post)

Brentford are targeting Lewis Macleod

David Weir’s Brentford are ready to test Rangers’ resolve with a £1 million plus bid for Lewis Macleoad. Weir is number two at the club and is a huge fan of the Rangers star. They are expected to make the bid in January. (Post)

Kenny MacDowall: Ally has saved his sanity

Kenny McDowall admits part of him is delighted that Ally McCoist is now away from Rangers – for the sake of his old gaffer’s sanity.

The Ibrox caretaker last week revealed how gutted he was to see his friend put on gardening leave by the board. But after three years of unprecedented turmoil, McDowall is relieved McCoist is now free from the stress and strain of the Ibrox hot-seat.

The new Rangers boss said: “As a friend, I’m glad to see him out of the firing line. For his sanity and for his family.

“What the guy has gone through and endured has been unbelievable.

“His concern was for people at the club rather than himself. It’s astonishing what he had to deal with. Only people on the inside know what he has done.

“It has been a nightmare here for three years. People on the outside are bored with it now. But we’ve had to eat, sleep and drink it.” (Record)

Ronny Deila is ‘loving life at Celtic’

Celtic boss has spoken of progress and says he ‘loves’ his job right now. He said: “You have to look at the fact that I am a manager in his first year at a club, so we can get so much better results,” Deila told reporters, as quoted by the Scotsman. “I hope I’ll be breaking some records of my own with the team after three or four years.

“That’s what we’re aiming for but transition takes time and I’m happy with the way that transition is going. I see progress and the goal is still to get the treble.

“I feel controlled. We are a unit, the staff, the players and the club and we are going in the right direction. I am really enjoying it. I feel like every day we go to work we are going to get better and that is a good feeling. I love it and I can handle it and that is good.” (HITC)

Hearts trying to sign striker for Edinburgh derby

Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson has not ruled out having a new striker in place for next weekend’s derby against Hibs after admitting he has already opened talks with players.

The Championship leaders are desperate to add more firepower next month having been hit with a series of injuries in attack.

Neilson said: “Will we have a new striker in for the derby? You never know. We are in the process of trying to get people in and we’ve made contact with a few players to see what their thoughts are.

“If we do, then great, if we don’t, then I’m quite happy to wait until later in the month.

“We’ve got our eye on three or four guys and hopefully we’ll get something tied up.” (Scotsman)

Celtic fans react to John Guidetti’s performance on Twitter

A goal drought for John Guidetti has Celtic fans questioning their belief in the striker’s ability.

Guidetti failed to score in the club’s 0-0 draw with Ross County, making it five games without a goal for the club.

@CelticFcTalk67 tweeted: “I hope Guidetti playing so poorly is a ploy to deter other clubs from coming in for him. Played poorly for the last 3 and a half games.”

While @tootingtims wrote: “Guidetti isn’t the superstar we thought he was.”

@RadicalCelt said: “Guidetti, too, can’t escape criticism. Touched the ball maybe 5 times and was largely ineffectual. 5 games, 0 goals. Drop.” (HITC.com)

Celtic target Lassana Diara could move to Euro opponents

The agent of former Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra admits that his client could move to Inter Milan.

After leaving Lokomotiv Moscow this summer, ex-Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra was widely expected to join his former Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp at QPR.

However, the deal fell through, leaving Diarra as a free agent when the transfer window closed in September - and a number of sides were linked with moves to sign the former French international.

Celtic were front runners for his signature but it now looks like he’ll join Inter. (HITC.com)

Rumour Mill: Kenny Miller | John Guidetti | Hibs