Rumour Mill: Celtic eye Hyun-Jun Suk and Pantic | Gunnarsson to Hibs | Rangers open talks for duo

Celtic linked with Vitoria Setubal’s South Korean striker Hyun-Jun Suk and Eibar defender Aleksandar Pantic; Hibs close in on Norwegian defender Niklas Gunnarsson and Harry Forrester turned down offers in England to join Rangers

Hoops eye Hyun-Jun Suk

CELTIC have reportedly been linked with a move for Vitoria Setubal striker Hyun-Jun Suk.

The 24-year-old cut his teeth with Ajax and has had spells with Groningen, Maritime, Al-Ahli and Nacional, and has scored 12 goals in 30 matches for the Portuguese side.

He has also racked up seven assists for the Primeira Liga club. (Various)

Pantic on Celtic’s radar

RONNY Deila has also watched Eibar defender Aleksandar Pantic, as he looks to strengthen the Hoops in the January window.

Pantic, who is on loan from Villareal, is a former Serbian Under-21 international and has played 12 times for the Basque team this season.

Celtic were linked with Pantic in November, and the 23-year-old has caught the attention of a number of clubs throughout Europe. (The Scotsman)

Hibs close to Gunnarsson deal

HIBS are close to clinching a deal for Norwegian defender Niklas Gunnarsson, with Alan Stubbs confident that the deal is ’99 per cent done’.

The 24-year-old has been in Edinburgh discussing a deal which would see him arrive on loan, with the option to turn it into a permanent move should he impress.

Gunnarsson, who has had spells with Odd and Valerenga in Norway has been playing with Swedish side Elfsborg on loan. (The Scotsman)

Rangers open talks over Crooks and Windass

RANGERS have contacted Accrington Stanley with a view to opening talks over Matt Crooks and Josh Windass, according to the League 2 club. Both players have been linked with Rangers in recent weeks and are out of contract in the summer.

It is thought that Mark Warburton will attempt to secure the pair on pre-contract agreements. (The Scotsman)

Stanley chief’s anger could see January exit for pair

RANGERS could, however, land both Crooks and Windass this month, after Accrington owner Andy Holt admitted his frustration at the possibility of losing the pair for pennies in the summer.

Holt blasted the rules on Twitter and said: “Our intention is to go for promotion this season so we want to keep our squad together this month if we can.

“Rangers haven’t been in touch with me personally about signing the players this month although I daresay that could yet change.” (Evening Times)

Forrester ‘turned down English clubs’

RANGERS new boy Harry Forrester has revealed he turned down offers from England to join the Ibrox club. Forrester told Rangers TV that there was ‘nowhere else he wanted to be’ when the Gers made contact.

Forrester added: “There were a few clubs in England but as soon as I found out Rangers were interested there was nowhere else I wanted to be.

“I want to be here a lot longer than [six months]. Hopefully I can get some game time and take it from there.” (Various)

McPake ‘out for season’

DUNDEE defender James McPake could be out for the rest of the season after the club confirmed the former Hibs stopper fractured his knee cap in the Tayside derby win over Dundee United.

McPake was subbed after just 15 minutes and a hospital scan has revealed the extent of the 31-year-old’s injury. He is due to undergo surgery this week. (The Scotsman)

Neilson slams Rugby Park pitch

HEARTS boss Robbie Neilson is concerned that players will sustain injuries on Kilmarnock’s artificial pitch.

The Rugby Park side installed the synthetic surface in summer 2014, and the ground has hosted rugby matches as well as Scottish Premiership fixtures.

And while being all in favour of artificial surfaces, Neilson said: “There’s a lot of people sliding about and I worry people are going to get injured on it.

“If [artificial pitches] are not looked after then it can be a hazard at times.” (The Scotsman)

Bailly set for Scottish Cup bow

LOGAN Bailly will make his Scottish Cup debut when Celtic take on Stranraer at Stair Park this weekend.

The Belgian goalie, signed from OH Leuven in the summer, will start in place of the suspended Craig Gordon, who was sent off at the semi-final stage of last season’s competition.

Leo Fasan will likely be on the bench as back-up to Bailly. (Various)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Robbie Muirhead has returned to Dundee United after his loan spell at Partick ended

• Craig Wighton’s loan spell at Raith Rovers is up and the striker has returned to Den Park

• Dundee United have not offered John Souttar a new deal, despite the youngster entering the last six months of his current contract

• Rangers defender Luca Gasparotto has extended his loan spell at Morton until the end of the season