Rumour Mill: Kris Commons bust-up | Carlton Cole | Willie Collum

Deila brands Commons ‘disrespectful’ following Molde substitution bust-up; Carlton Cole speaks of joy at signing for Celtic and Willie Collum slammed by ex-referee

Nadir Ciftci replaces Kris Commons, who blew a gasket at the Celtic management team. Picture: AFP/Getty

Deila brands Commons ‘disrespectful’

RONNY Deila accused Kris Commons of a lack of respect on a night when the Scottish champions’ Europa League hopes were severely dented in Molde.

The 3-1 defeat, which sent Deila’s team to the bottom of Group A, was compounded by Commons aiming a verbal assault at the Celtic bench, with assistant manager John Collins and coach John Kennedy bearing the brunt of his ire, when he was subbed for Nadir Ciftci in the 76th minute.

“That’s not acceptable,” said Deila. “We are a team. I understand people can be disappointed at getting taken off but to show it that way is not how we want it at Celtic. It’s not about one player. It is very disrespectful to everybody else. I have spoken to Kris, of course.” (The Scotsman)

Celtic move not about the money, insists Cole

CARLTON Cole has vowed to give his all for Celtic after agreeing a deal to join the Hoops until summer 2017.

The ex-West Ham striker, who spent nearly 10 years at the Boleyn Ground, said: “Being at Celtic is not about the money, it’s about wearing the shirt with pride.

“If you put on that shirt and you wear it with pride, the fans would take to you and you would get a good rapport with the fans. That’s what I’m here for, I can see the same sort of thing at Celtic.” (Daily Record)

Collum ‘worst ref’ in Champions League, says ex-whistler

A FORMER FIFA referee has branded Willie Collum the worst official in the Champions League - and told him he should stick to wearing a kilt.

Ex-ref turned TV analyst Erman Toroglu made his comments after a fiery clash between Galatasaray and Benfica, during which Collum flashed eight yellows and angered both teams.

Toroglu added: “I have seen some bad refereeing performances in the Champions League but nothing compared to the Scotsman Collum.

“He wasn’t anti-Galatasaray or anti-Benfica - he was just very bad. He doesn’t seem to understand refereeing. He should stick to wearing a kilt rather than a referee’s uniform.” (The Sun)

Cammy Bell sidelined ‘until Christmas’

RANGERS goalkeeper Cammy Bell has undergone knee surgery and looks likely to be sidelined until Christmas.

The ex-Kilmarnock ‘keeper has been plagued by the niggling injury since last season, but is expected to return to training before the end of this year. (The Sun)

Mixu pleads for time to turn things around at Tannadice

MIXU Paatelainen has begged for time to turn things around at Tannadice after admitting that Dundee United have a ‘real battle’ on their hands to avoid the drop.

Mixu said: “We can’t panic or get anxious. We need to stay calm. Step by step we must get better. It will happen. We have plenty, plenty matches to save our season.

“We know the things we want to do here will take time. Things won’t happen straight away.

“I know, as the weeks go by we will improve. I have no doubt about that. But we know, also, that it will take time.” (Evening Telegraph)

Cruyff battling lung cancer

DUTCH football legend Johan Cruyff is battling lung cancer, his spokeswoman confirmed yesterday.

“He has been in hospital this week for tests and lung cancer has been confirmed,” said Carole Thate, a spokeswoman for the 68-year-old former Ajax and Barcelona star.

Cruyff, who personified his country’s attacking Total Football in the 1970s, was a smoker during his playing days and until undergoing an emergency heart bypass in 1991. Afterwards, he became the face of an anti-smoking campaign. (The Scotsman)

Spanish ref claims El Clasico ‘rigging’

A SPANISH official has claimed that he attended a meeting ahead of next month’s El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid during which he was told that the match was to be rigged in favour of Madrid.

The unidentified official claimed La Liga’s refereeing chief asked him to give decisions favouring Rafa Benitez’s outfit, adding that he was under pressure from the Spanish FA and his own committee to swing the game in favour of Real Madrid.

The official said that he refused, and went to the police when he was put under even more pressure.

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone said earlier this season that he believed Real Madrid would be helped to a title win - having only won one La Liga trophy in the last seven years. (Various)