The Rumour Mill: Thursday’s Scottish football news and gossip

Templeton could become an Ibrox icon, says McCoist

David Templeton could be the next Brian Laudrup, Ally McCoist has claimed.

Templeton scored a stunning goal against Clyde as well as setting up Lee Wallace’s strike, and McCoist has backed the former Hearts man to become a Rangers icon.

“The fans have always had someone like that, whether it be a Davie Cooper, a Brian Laudrup, a Paul Gascoigne or whoever. They always had someone who was a bit special to them. I think Temps has got the potential to be that kind of person.”

Baird asks for Wilson’s elbow to go unpunished

Dundee’s John Baird has called on the SFA to show lenience to Celtic defender Kelvin Wilson, after the defender appeared to elbow Baird in the face.

Baird said: “The SFA shouldn’t look at it. It’s not going to change anything. It would be poor if they did.

“He did catch me but I think it was accidental. I was annoyed because I thought I’d lost my teeth.”

The incident went unnoticed by officials during Celtic’s 2-0 win at Dens Park, but could now be the subject of SFA sanctions.

Kilmarnock’s McKeown commits ‘worst dive in SPL history’

Rory McKeown’s attempt to win a penalty against Hearts has been dubbed ‘one of the worst dives in the history of the SPL’ - by the League itself.

The Kilmarnock man’s dive is featured on the SPL YouTube channel, with McKeown described as “flopping to the ground in the box with nobody near him”.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the officials were unmoved, although Kilmarnock went on to win 1-0.

Brown says Hooper ready for England

Scott Brown has called on Roy Hodgson to give Gary Hooper a chance for England.

“I don’t think Gary can be too far away from an England call-up,” he said.

“He creates chances and scores goals. The finish he came up with today was just ridiculous.

“I think he’s definitely good enough to play for England. They are looking for a striker.”

McCall worried that Steelmen will lose host of players

Motherwell boss Stuart McCall is worried that his team could be depleted by the January transfer window.

McCall said: “I think we’ll lose one player in January, but any scouts at the game probably went away with five or six names on a piece of papaer.

“Hopefully no more than one player will leave - but which one? Put your name in a hat and pick after a performance like that.”

Jamie Murphy, Michael Higdon, Darren Randolph and Nicky Law are all rumoured to be targets for sides in the Championship.

In brief

• Celtic will take on Romanian league leaders Steaua Bucharest in a friendly next month. Neil Lennon’s men will take on the Romanians on 15 January, as part of their winter training camp in Marbella.

• Euan Norris is set to be demoted from the top-ranking group of UEFA referees. Norris has presided over one European game this season, and is set to be moved from the Category 1 panel into Category 2.