Rumour Mill: Scott Brown | Livingston

Celtic captain Scott Brown blasted his team mates after another poor performance. Picture: SNS

Scott Brown accuses Celtic team mates of hiding during games

Scott Brown has accused his Celtic team-mates of hiding after another defeat, this time to Hamilton at Parkhead, he said: “We missed a few chances but we didn’t deserve anything. People were hiding. It was disappointing to play in. It hasn’t happened as badly as that before. It looked like we had given up fighting. We were second to balls, we didn’t have enough up front and it wasn’t good to watch. I take my share of the blame. I’m not laying the blame at everybody else because we are all in this together.” Celtic fans made their disapproval clear after the game and Brown understands their frustration, he added: “I can understand why they were booing. We don’t want that. We should be entertaining them and we aren’t.” (Various)

Livingston chief Gordon McDougall apologises for liquidation jibes

Livingston chief Gordon McDougall has apologised to Rangers fans who bombarded the club with complaints after liquidation jibes in Livingston’s match programme. McDougall responded after furious supporters demanded an explanation of Saturday’s match magazine. The visitor’s page opened with the line: “This weekend, three years ago, the club then known as Rangers defeated Hibernian at Ibrox.” In the player’s profiles, Steven Smith’s section read: “Stevie enjoyed eight years with the now defunct club.” It also mentioned that this was the “first meeting between Livingston and the newly-formed Rangers”. A threat of a boycott by angry Rangers fans promoted McDougall to issue a statement. He said: “I can only offer my sincere apologies as there was no intention to offend anyone. As a true football fan who has paid my way through the turnstiles for countless years before entering the boardroom I fully understand the emotion involved. I have spoken with the programme editor and can assure all fans there is absolutely no bigotry or sectarian issue or intention at Livingston.” (Record)

Alex Neil delighted Hamilton fans can enjoy their ‘best day ever’

Delighted Alex Neil led Hamilton to a shock win over Celtic at Parkhead and then claimed that the Accies fans should be on top of the world after their historic win. Neil who saw his newly-promoted side win at Parkhead for the first time in 76 years said: “If your an Accies fan this is the pinnacle. Last season going to Hibs and turning it around was great but today it was David versus Goliath if you look at the teams. I think if you’re an Accies fan and you’re not on top of the world right now then you never will be. It’s incredible what this group has done.” (Express)

Neil Lennon lined up for return to management in Saudi Arabia

Neil Lennon is on the brink of a return to management after Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad confirmed they were in advance talks with the former Celtic manager. Despite a host of jobs being available in England, the Nothern Irishman has been out of work since quitting Parkhead in the summer. It now looks as though Lennon will head to the middle east for a lucrative deal with the ambitious Jeddah-based Saudi outfit.

News in brief:

• Arsene Wenger suffered a meltdown yesterday as Arsenal lost 2-0 to Chelsea. The Frenchman shoved Mourinho before saying he “didn’t regret it.” (Mail)

• Shelley Kerr became the first woman to take a senior team into the Scottish Cup but was unlucky as her Stirling side were defeated 4-1 by Albion Rovers. (Record)

• A makeshift bomb is reported to have been found at a top flight stadium in Poland. The suspicious package was discovered in Ruch Chorzow’s Stadion Miejski during the derby clash against Gornik Zabrze. (Record)

Rumour Mill: Scott Brown | Livingston | Alex Neil