Rumour Mill: Ronny Deila | Aberdeen

Celtic captain Scott Brown celebrates with manager Ronny Deila at full-time. Picture: SNS

Ronny Deila refuses to write off Aberdeen challenge after win

Ronny Deila has refused to write off Derek McInnes’s side, who lost their first league game in 14, as challengers.

“I don’t take anything for granted,” he said. “I have been in football for many years.

“At my former club we were three times leading in the summer by seven points and it took three years to win the league.

“So I know how quick it can turn around if you start to lose focus on the right things.

“If we do everything we have done so far the rest of the season it is going to be very hard for them.

“We have the possibility to get nine (points ahead) and there is goal difference as well, that is getting better.

“So we really have a good position in the league.” (Herald)

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Derek McInnes admits Aberdeen have a lot to learn

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes admits his side have a lot to learn after a crushing 4-0 defeat at Celtic Park.

Second-placed Dons are six points behind the leaders, who hit three goals in a ruthless second-half display.

“It shows there’s still a lot to learn for us, the concentration side, the set plays, the mentality at 2-0 to keep doing the right things,” McInnes said.

“I just thought we unravelled at that stage. Once we went two down Celtic really put us to the sword.” (BBC.co.uk)

Dave King boost as Craig Mather backs Rangers Supporters Trust

FORMER Rangers chief executive Craig Mather has thrown his weight behind fans in the battle for Ibrox control.

Mather has followed in the footsteps of Felix Magath by proxying his shareholding of just under one per cent to the Rangers Supporters Trust.

It’s a huge coup for backers of the movement for change being led by Dave King – and a  crushing blow to the  current regime ahead of Friday’s general meeting.

A source close to Mather told the Record: “Craig  has always believed the Rangers supporters deserved better and although he tried to do the right thing when at Ibrox there was resistance from others on the board.

“He wanted Dave King in a long time ago and is delighted that he could be making his return. Rangers can only  benefit from that.” (Record)

Wee Jay Beattie celebrates Goal of the Month award

Jay Beattie was at Celtic Park to pick up his award for winning January’s SPFL Premiership Gooal of the Month.

He was also presented with a special Golden Boot by one of his Celtic heroes, Charlie Mulgrew, and the Celtic Park crowd celebrated as Jay took a penalty against Celtic Development Squad goalkeeper, Leo Fasan, and scored. (CelticFC.net)

Martin Canning upset with Hamilton’s performance at St Mirren

Hamilton boss Martin Canning could not hide his fury with his side after they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at St Mirren. ”It hurts me more than anything that a team can want it more than us,” said Canning, “Because I believe that quality wise, we’re capable of winning that game. So for me that’s the disappointing thing.

“Albeit the game wasn’t of great quality, but today was as poor as we’ve been both in competing and in terms of moving the ball. We didn’t move the ball anywhere near enough and we gave it away far too much.

“I’ll watch it back and see it, but playing within it, it seemed like probably half a dozen times or more one good touch or one pass could have created an opportunity for us to go and attack, and it ends up breaking up and with them attacking us. That quality is nowhere near the standards I expect.” (Sky)

Rumour Mill: Ronny Deila | Aberdeen | Rangers