Rumour Mill: Stefan Johansen | Scotland

Norway international Stefan Johansen seems set to sign with Celtic. Picture: SNS

Johansen ‘is the Norwegian Mata’ says Riseth

NORWEGIAN ace Stefan Johansen has been compared to Chelsea’s Spanish international Juan Mata by former Celtic star Vidar Riseth.

Riseth said: “Like Mata, Stefan loves to find pockets of space in the pitch to make chances for the forwards. He was one of the best players in Norway last season and he is ready for this step.”

Johansen is in Glasgow for talks on a £1.5 million move, and expected to sign a three-and-a-half year deal at Celtic. (Sun)

Terry Butcher ponders Scotland move

HIBERNIAN could be set to make a move for former St Johnstone and Dundee United striker Jason Scotland.

Trinidad and Tobago international Scotland, who famously starred in an Irn-Bru ad campaign during the 2006 World Cup, has been told he can leave current club Barnsley.

Hibs boss Terry Butcher is reportedly keen to swoop in to sign the 34-year-old to replace Rowan Vine, who is set to leave Easter Road. (Record)

Celtic link with Port Vale keeper stuns boss

PORT Vale manager Micky Adams has admitted that he is surprised to see goalkeeper Sam Johnson linked with a move to Celtic.

The 21-year-old keeper has been subject of media reports linking him to Neil Lennon’s side as a possible replacement for Fraser Forster.

Adams told the Stoke Sentinel: “Celtic came to a few of our games last season. I met their scout and he was talking about our other players, but not Sam. Looking at the scout list recently, he has not been at our games so I think this is just a flyer.” (Stoke Sentinel)

Referees to keep silence on decisions

THERE are no plans to allow referees to explain contentious decisions to members of the media, according to the SFA’s head of refereeing.

John Fleming said: “A referee commenting could prejudice any (SFA) case. We are very restricted in what we can voice and it could bring more problems than benefits to the referees.”

There have been repeated calls from players and managers for officials to explain controversial penalty and offside decisions after matches. (Herald)

Hearts’ Walker out for 10 weeks

JAMIE Walker will be out of action for over two months due to a broken bone in his foot, in the latest injury woe to hit Hearts.

Hearts manager Gary Locke described the news as a “disaster” for the club, who are 20 points adrift at the foot of the Premiership table.

The club was unsuccessful in its attempt to have a transfer embargo lifted yesterday, but could still be allowed to register players to replace those leaving the club. (Scotsman)

St Johnstone and Aberdeen in for Goodwillie

BOTH St Johnstone and Aberdeen have registered their interest in a loan move for former Dundee United striker David Goodwillie.

Goodwillie still has 18 months left on his contract at Blackburn Rovers, and the 24-year-old has been warned by manager Gary Bowyer that he must get more game time.

Goodwillie was restricted to limited appearances in his loan spell at Tannadice, which ended last week. (Scotsman)

SPFL ON YOUTUBE

GOALS | This weekend we had two contenders for Goal of the Month, if not Goal of the Season.

Willo Flood’s strike from 25 yards against Hibernian for Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Friday night and Stevie May’s lovely curling effort against St Mirren on Saturday at McDiarmid Park.

BIZARRE | Both bizarre incidents come from two of Inverness CT’s recent home matches. The first occurred in their match against Celtic a few weeks ago, when Ross Draper takes out the referee in his pursuit for the ball.

The second incident was in yesterday’s match against Dundee United, when Inverness’ goalkeeper Dean Brill nearly concedes a comical own goal.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS |

Aberdeen FC 1-0 Hibernian FC Club

St Johnstone FC 2-0 St Mirren FC

Hearts 0-1 Motherwell FC

Partick Thistle 3 - 3 Ross County

Inverness CT 1 - 1 Dundee United FC