Rumour Mill: Scott Brown | Rangers target Windass | Brechin goalkeeper

Kris Commons. Picture: John Devlin

Scott Brown: Players owe Deila

Celtic captain Scott Brown says they owe their manager a big performance to atone for the back-to-back defeats by Molde in the Europa League.

“Ajax is a huge game for us,” Brown said. “It’s make or break. If we don’t win we don’t go through, simple as that and we’ll only have ourselves to blame, [the players] that are on the park.” (Scotland on Sunday)

Young Rangers players need to show they are men – Wallace


Rangers captain Lee Wallace has urged his young team-mates to step up as Hibernian moved level on points at the top of the table yesterday,

“We need to quickly make the new guys aware that every game is a cup final for the opposition, even if it’s just another game for us,” said Wallace. (Mail on Sunday)

Kris Commons a fitness doubt for Ajax

Kriss Commons faces being forced to withdraw from Celtic’s crucial Europa League tie against Ajax after suffering a hamstring pull prior to Celtic’s goalless draw with Kilmarnock yesterday.

There is a possibility Kris will be back for the [Ajax] game,” said Ronny Deila. “He had an illness but also a feeling in his hamstring so we will have to see.” (Sunday Post)

Rangers lead chase for Windass

Accrington Stanley attacking midfielder Josh Windass – the son of former Aberdeen and Hull City player Dean – is a target for Rangers. The 21-year-old Championship player will be a free agent in the summer, but Rangers may offer around £250,000 to secure his services in January. (Scottish Sun on Sunday)

Dozy Brechin goalkeeper turns up to wrong ground

Brechin goalkeeper Graeme Smith committed the howler of his career yesterday – by turning up to the wrong ground for a match against Stenhousemuir. Smith managed to make it to Glebe Park in time for kick-off, but it was a close-run thing.

“I couldn’t believe it when [my wife] said ti was at the Glebe!” he said. (Scotland on Sunday)

Graeme Souness in hospital

Former Scotland captain and Rangers manager Graeme Souness was taken into hospital on Friday. The 62-year-old, who won the European Cup three times with Liverpool, is receiving treatment in a hospital in Bournemouth, close to his home in Poole, Dorset. No details of Souness’ condition were immediately available. (Scotland on Sunday)