Rumour Mill: NBA owner’s Rangers bid

Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver makes Rangers bid

Rangers received an £18 million offer from the owner of an American basketball team last month, according to a BBC report.

However, the move by Robert Sarver to secure a controlling interest in the Ibrox club is unlikely to succeed following recent share purchases by Dave King and the group led by Douglas Park.

Sarver, who owns the Phoenix Suns, is reported to have made his offer to Rangers chairman David Somers in an email that was sent just after Christmas. (Scotsman)

Best is yet to come from Aberdeen - Derek McInnes

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes the best is yet to come from his players and is confident they will not falter in the second half of the campaign.

A 2-0 win over Motherwell at Fir Park yesterday moved Aberdeen four points clear of Celtic at the top of the Premiership.

Asked if he felt Aberdeen would stutter at any time, he replied: “I don’t. We just have to make sure we impose ourselves. I think we have good players and a good squad. I think if we impose ourselves on a game, we are difficult to play against.” (Scotsman)

Efe Ambrose praises team-mate Virgil van Dijk

Celtic defender Efe Ambrose has heaped praise on team-mate Virgil van Dijk as the Dutchman’s number of suitors in England and the continent increase by the week.

“In football, there is always speculation but, right now, he is still a Celtic player and, for us, it is good that he is still here,” said Ambrose.

“It has been a pleasure playing alongside him. I know he is younger but what he has brought to the team, he is quite a talent and everybody will want to have such a talent in their team.”

Van Dijk has been linked to Arsenal, Tottenham, Sunderland, Everton and West Brom, among others.

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Celtic offered cut-price deal on Nigerian striker

Israeli side Maccabi Netanya are offering their Nigerian striker, Olarenwaju Kayode, to Celtic for £350,000 - because the club are desperate for the money the sale could generate.

A deal for the 21-year-old could effectively rescue the club from bankruptcy, and the player’s agent, Dudu Dahan, has been instrumental in securing several players for Celtic, including Efe Ambrose, Beram Kayal, Nir Bitton and Rami Gershon.

Belgian side Gent are also said to be interested in the player, who is one of the Israeli League’s top scorers. (Daily Express)

Craig Samson hits back at Celtic in pitch row

Kilmarnock goalkeeper Craig Samson has hit back at criticism from Celtic over the club’s refusal to allow Ronny Deila’s side to train on the artificial turf at Rugby Park ahead of tonight’s Scottish Premiership clash.

Samson argued that if the shoe had been on the other foot, Kilmarnock would not have been granted permission to train at Celtic Park.

“I can understand Celtic’s logic and them wanting to try our surface out,” said Samson, “but I can understand why we have said no.

“We wouldn’t phone up a club like St Mirren and ask them if we could come and train on their pitch before we play on it.”

There is no rule in place that compels teams to allow rival teams to train on their home ground on the eve of a match, a spokeswoman for Kilmarnock said. (Daily Record)

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Rumour Mill: NBA owner’s Rangers bid | Aberdeen