Rumour Mill: Scott Allan to Celtic | Van Dijk staying for Euro push

Scott Allan could be heading to Celtic, with two players going to Easter Road as part of the deal. Picture: John Devlin

Celtic offer cash and players for Scott Allan

SCOTT Allan could be a Celtic player within days, with Dylan McGeouch and possibly Liam Henderson heading to Easter Road as part of the deal.

Ronny Deila was yesterday coy about talk linking the Hoops with Allan, who is a target for boyhood heroes Rangers.

It is understood that talks between Hibs and Celtic are at an advanced stage with the former Dundee United starlet prepared to join the Hoops. (Various)

Van Dijk ‘will stay for Euro push’

Virgil van Dijk won’t leave Celtic before the Hoops have made it to the Champions League group stages, according to reports.

The Sun is quoting Ronny Deila as saying: “We will definitely keep Virgil for the Champions League qualifiers. We want to keep him after that.

“We don’t have to sell him but if the right offer comes in then maybe it will be an issue.”

Southampton and Everton are reportedly leading the chase for the Dutch stopper. (Scottish Sun)

Koeman confident of securing van Dijk

SOUTHAMPTON boss Ronald Koeman is confident that Virgil van Dijk will be a Saints player before the transfer window slams shut.

Southampton have long been linked with the Dutch defender, and with the Saints needing defensive reinforcements, Koeman has an eye on a number of players, with his countryman van Dijk thought to be near the top of the list.

The Daily Record are reporting that Koeman is ‘privately’ confident of acquiring van Dijk before September 1. (Daily Record)

Hearts linked with Bulgarian starlet

HEARTS are weighing up a £350,000 swoop for highly-rated Bulgarian midfielder Milen Gamakov, according to the player’s agent.

The Tynecastle club have already had one bid for the 21-year-old knocked back by his club, Botev Plovdiv, after offering £100,000 plus a 20 per cent sell-on fee.

Gamakov is also thought to be attracting interest from Italian Serie A outfit Palermo. He has one year left to run on his contract and Plovdiv, who are in a precarious financial position, are keen to cash in on one of their prize assets during this transfer window. (The Scotsman)

Swansea eye Ryan Christie

SWANSEA have been linked with a move for highly-rated Inverness Caledonian Thistle youngster Ryan Christie - with John Hughes happy to let the wonderkid go if he can return to the Highlands on loan.

Hughes told the Express: “It’s no surprise to me. Ryan is a really talented footballer and we need him in the team.

“We can’t afford to lose him, but I’m sure if the money was good then we would sell him. But I think part of it would be that he would have to stay for another year here on loan.” (Express)

Caley Thistle take Toby Ajala on trial

INVERNESS Caledonian Thistle have taken former Torquay and Welling forward Toby Ajala on trial.

The 23-year-old scored four in 45 games for Torquay last season, being played mainly as a winger.

John Hughes is keen to bolster his squad with another attacker, and is hopeful that Ajala, who watched the match against Partick Thistle, could be tempted to join the Caley Jags. (Various)

News in brief

• Paul Hartley has avoided a touchline ban after his over-exuberant celebrations following Dundee’s last-gasp equaliser in the Tayside derby saw him sent to the stand

• Stewart Regan is not panicking despite Scotland boss Gordon Strachan having just two months left on his contract

• Hibs have dropped their interest in former Rangers midfielder Rhys McCabe