Rumour Mill: Van Dijk | Rangers shares

Virgil van Dijk (R) has been backed to make the World Cup. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Virgil Van Dijk backed for Brazil

CELTIC defender Virgil Van Dijk should be included in The Netherlands’ squad for the World Cup, according to his former boss.

Groningen GM Hans Nijland said: “Van Dijk has continued to improve now that he has joined Celtic, and he must now get picked to play for Holland.

“I am appealing to Louis van Gaal to select Virgil for the national team. (He) would have to be crazy not to.” (Record)

2.7 million Rangers shares sold yesterday

SHARES in The Rangers International Football Club plc saw their highest volume of trading in more than a month yesterday, with 2,725,000 shares sold during Tuesday’s trading.

The bulk of the shares sold for 24p each, a new low price for the stock which trades on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

The value of the club has fallen by £16 million in the last four months. (Herald)

Hibs ‘don’t want Scotland or Shiels’

TERRY Butcher has quashed rumours linking Hibernian with former Dundee United striker Jason Scotland and Rangers midfielder Dean Shiels.

On Scotland, Butcher said: “I spoke to his agent yesterday and said ‘no, we wouldn’t be pursuing it’. The next thing I read is that we’re keen on doing it. That won’t happen.”

As for Shiels, the Hibs boss said: “I’ve not spoken to his agent – but we wouldn’t be interested in that.” (Scotsman)

Scots backed Messi for Ballon D’Or

CRISTIANO Ronaldo was crowned world player of the year on Monday - no thanks to Scotland manager Gordon Strachan and captain Scott Brown, who both voted for Lionel Messi.

FIFA ballots show that Strachan picked the Barcelona star over Ronaldo, naming Luis Suarez as his third choice.

Brown plumped for Messi, Ronaldo, and Bayern Munich’s French winger Franck Ribery. (Sun)

Japan move collapses for Celtic’s Rogic

CELTIC midfielder Tom Rogic has seen his planned loan move to Japanese side Vegalta Sendai fall through at the last minute.

The 21-year-old is keen to play regularly in the run-up to the World Cup, and had been due to team up with fellow Australian Graham Arnold, who is coach at Vegalta.

Rogic has made just three appearances for Celtic this season. (FourFourTwo)

Wylde deal could send Goodwillie to Dons

ST Mirren could inadvertently seal David Goodwillie’s proposed loan move to Aberdeen, after the Buddies made a bid to take Gregg Wylde on loan until the end of the season.

Moving Wylde would free up room on the Pittodrie wage bill allowing former Dundee United striker Goodwillie to come in, according to the Express.

Goodwillie could face big-spending Manchester City tonight, as his Blackburn Rovers side take on Manuel Pelligrini’s side in the FA Cup tonight. (Express)

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