Rumour Mill: New Celtic strip | Marcel Halstenberg | Rangers
Eibar 1 Celtic 4: Griffiths nets hat-trick in friendly win
LEIGH Griffiths enhanced his chances of starting against Stjarnan in Wednesday night’s Champions League return in Iceland when he bagged a second-half hat-trick in Celtic’s comfortable 4-1 friendly win over La Liga side SD Eibar.
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Hide AdHe converted from the spot with conviction from the spot after Efe Ambrose’s opener, before adding a wonderful second and capitalising on a defensive error for his third and Celtic’s fourth.
New Celtic ‘Euro’ kit leaked
CELTIC are due to unveil a new European strip later today - but purported images of the new kit have already been released online.
The Scotsman reported in early June that the club were rumoured to be unveiling a ‘bumblebee-esque’ change kit and this appears to be it.
The Hoops are set to officially unveil the strip ahead of their journey to Iceland to take on Stjarnan in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier. (Various)
Hoops step up search for left back
CELTIC will step up attempts this week to unearth a new left back, after Charlie Mulgrew was preferred in the full-back slot ahead of Emilio Izaguirre in Celtic’s 4-1 win over Eibar at the weekend.
The Honduran had a largely forgettable evening as Celtic beat Stjarnan 2-0 last week, and both John Collins and John Kennedy missed the win in Spain in order to carry out scouting missions.
St Pauli defender Marcel Halstenberg is still a target, and there are understood to be a number of players under consideration. (Scottish Sun)
Wigan duo set for Rangers switch
JAMES Tavernier and Martyn Waghorn could complete their moves to Rangers in the next couple of days after agreeing terms with the Ibrox club.
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Hide AdA fee of about £400,000 has been agreed with the Latics, with the 23-year-old and 25-year-old tipped to star for Mark Warburton’s side.
Defender Tavernier began his career with Newcastle, moving to Wigan after a series of loan spells with Gateshead, Carlisle, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham among others.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at Bristol, while striker Waghorn bagged seven goals for Wigan last year. (Daily Record)
Bailly’s wild past ‘is over’
CELTIC goalkeeper Logan Bailly has revealed he has buried the controversial past that saw him convicted for assaulting a fan and own a series of supercars including Lamborghinis and Bentleys.
The Belgian goalie told the Daily Record: “All this stuff, this is the past. I’m 29 now and more mature. I’m a different person now.
“A keeper is always a little bit crazy. When I was 20 or 21, I made some mistakes. But you learn from life. That is all in the past.”
The 29-year-old saved a penalty and impressed during Celtic’s 4-1 win over Eibar at the weekend. (Daily Record)
Hibs ‘not daft enough to sell Allan’
HIBS stalwart Lewis Stevenson has insisted the club isn’t daft enough to try and cash in on talisman Scott Allan.
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Hide AdThe former Dundee United midfielder was given a route back into football after stagnating at West Brom, and lit up the Scottish Championship with a number of star performances last season.
But Stevenson - who has remained at Hibs while the likes of Steven Fletcher, Scott Brown, Garry O’Connor, Kevin Thomson, Steven Whittaker and Derek Riordan were all sold on to the highest bidder - believes the Hibs board has learnt its lesson.
Stevenson added: “[Allan] makes things happen all the time and I’m sure a few folk would have paid just to watch him do his thing.
“I’m glad that we’ve held on to him. It seems that we’re going to keep him for at least this season and he can make a big difference for us this year.” (The Scotsman)
News in brief
• Ex-Hearts and Aberdeen winger Andy Driver will sign for Dutch outfit De Graafschap later this week after impressing during a trial period
• Barry Douglas is hoping an extended run in the Champions League with Lech Poznan will stand him in good stead for a Scotland call-up
• Kevin McHattie is ready to battle Juwon Oshaniwa for the starting berth in the Hearts defence
• Aston Villa winger Aleksandar Tonev, who spent last season on loan at Celtic, has been told to find a new club
• Craig Samson is set to quit Kilmarnock, with Motherwell waiting in the wings. Samson has lost his place to summer signing Jamie MacDonald, who arrived from Falkirk