Rumour Mill: Leeds eye James Tavernier | Ian Bankier

James Tavernier, who is reportedly a target for Leeds. Picture: SNS

Leeds eye James Tavernier

LEEDS have been linked with a move for Rangers full back James Tavernier, as the former Wigan defender admitted at the weekend he would ‘have to think about a move’ if the Gers accepted a bid for him.

Tavernier, who has scored 10 goals in 20 games for Rangers, was reportedly watched by a Leeds scout in the 1-1 draw with Livingston at the weekend.

But he told reporters: “My ambition is to put this club where it belongs – in the top flight. We want to be able to compete with teams from the top leagues. That’s my main ambition in the short term.”

“Later down the line, if the club decides to sell me there will be a decision for me to make.” (Various)

Templeton out until end of 2015

RANGERS winger David Templeton has been ruled out for another six weeks, amid complications with the knee ligament damage he sustained against St Mirren in August.

The former Hearts wideman had been ruled out for around eight weeks, but the nature of the damage has sidelined Templeton until at least January. (Various)

Bankier defends comments after Hoops fans backlash

CELTIC chairman Ian Bankier has defended comments he made suggesting that some fans’ treatment of director Lord Livingston had been ‘criminally racist’.

A statement from Celtic read: ““Ian made his position absolutely clear on Friday when he thanked, praised and commended Celtic supporters and shareholders and clarified that he had not branded our supporters as some had suggested.

“Ian was simply referring to those individuals that the Trust in their statement have also condemned, so we seem to be in agreement.”

Some sections of the Celtic support wanted the Conservative peer Lord Livingston to step down after he backed tax credit cuts. (Celtic FC)

Zelalem ‘could extend Rangers stay’

GEDION Zelalem could extend his stay at Rangers, with Arsenal seemingly happy for the US midfielder to continue his development in Glasgow.

Mark Warburton, who is keen to hold onto the 18-year-old until the end of the season, said feedback from Arsenal had been ‘positive’. (Daily Express)

Dons fans protest Rangers EBTs at Hampden

ABERDEEN fans held up a banner outside Hampden this past weekend, protesting against Rangers’ use of EBTs.

The banner read: “You might have duped LNS (Lord Nimmo Smith) but not us. New enquiry”.

The stunt comes following HMRC’s victory in its appeal about the use of EBTs, with oldco Rangers liquidators BDO set to counter-appeal the ruling.

Hibs sweat over Henderson virus

HIBS are sweating on the results of blood tests as they try to pinpoint the mystery virus which has “wiped out” midfielder Liam Henderson, boss Alan Stubbs revealed today.

Stubbs has disclosed that the on-loan Celtic player had been laid low by a viral infection, causing him to miss the 1-0 win over Alloa that drew Hibs level on points with Rangers at the summit of the Championship.

He said: “We have taken a lot of blood tests, trying to whittle our way through exactly what it is. We’ve ruled out one thing, but he has a viral infection which has wiped him out a little bit.” (Evening News)

Scott Brown a doubt for Ajax clash

Celtic captain Scott Brown is an injury doubt for the club’s must-win Europa League tie against Ajax at Parkhead.

The 30-year-old limped off the pitch at the end of the champions’ goalless draw at home to Kilmarnock on Saturday and is now facing a race to be available for the meeting with the Eredivisie leaders, who thrashed Cambuur 5-1 in Amsterdam on Saturday. (The Scotsman)

Craig Gordon ‘was in Paris’ during terror attacks

Craig Gordon has revealed he was in Paris on the night of the terrorist attacks, anxiously following events online as he feared being caught up in the atrocity that claimed 130 lives.

The Celtic goalkeeper travelled to the French capital with his wife Jennifer and daughters Freya and Emma, only hours before the co-ordinated killings a week past Friday.

“I didn’t experience the atrocities because I was towards Disneyland, which is half an hour away, but it was scary and when we heard about it, I was busy Googling places to see how close we were,” Gordon said.

“It was an eerie atmosphere, very strange. No-one was really talking about it, it was just very quiet. It’s hard to describe how it felt. We didn’t go into the centre, we just stayed in the hotel for two days, then came back.” (The Scotsman)

Scotland to wear tartan and pink for 2018 qualifiers

THE Scottish FA have unveiled the new Scotland national team home and away strips for the 2018 World Cup qualification campaign.

Scotland will wear blue tartan home tops with white sleeves, along with white socks and dark blue socks.

When away from home, the players will don bright pink tops with a touch of black around the collar, while the shorts and socks are black with a hint of pink. (The Scotsman)

Rumour Mill: Leeds eye James Tavernier | Ian Bankier | Aberdeen fans protest EBTs