Rumour Mill: Celtic eye Leskovic | Rangers blow in Windass chase

Marko Leskovic in action for Croatia. Picture: Getty Images

Hoops eye Croatian defender

CELTIC have been linked with a move for Croatian left-sided defender Marko Leskovic.

The 24-year-old, who plays for HNK Rijeka, can play in a number of positions including left back and defensive midfield but is primarily a centre back.

The £1.5m-rated international has been watched by Celtic scouts, who are also keeping tabs on Dundee United’s John Souttar. (The Sun)

Gers told Windass is not for sale

RANGERS have been dealt a blow after Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman told them to forget about signing Josh Windass.

The son of ex-Aberdeen star Dean, the 21-year-old has been linked with a move to Rangers with his dad having suggested he move on from Stanley.

But Coleman believes letting Windass junior leave would be a mistake. (Various)

Commons losing fitness race

KRIS Commons looks set to miss Celtic’s crunch match against Ajax at Parkhead due to a troublesome thigh injury.

Commons, who has scored three of Celtic’s six goals in Group A, and set up the other three, is set to be examined by medics today - but the chances of Commons facing the Dutch masters look bleak.

The news is a further blow for Ronny Deila, who has Stefan Johansen and Nir Bitton suspended while skipper Scott Brown limped out of the draw against Kilmarnock. (Daily Record)

Ashley wins battle for Gers voting rights

MIKE ASHLEY has succeeded in his bid to prevent Rangers from asking shareholders to block his voting rights in the Ibrox club.

The Sports Direct owner was granted an interim interdict by the Court of Session, forcing Rangers to remove a resolution from this Friday’s AGM which, if passed, would have removed voting rights from any shareholder involved in the management of administration of another club.

Rangers and Ashley were both previously fined by the SFA for breach of dual interest regulations. (The Scotsman)

Bonner surprised at Lawwell faith in Deila

PAT Bonner has expressed surprise at Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell’s public declaration of faith in manager Ronny Deila’s ability to lead the club into next season’s Champions League qualifiers.

Lawwell gave Deila his backing at Celtic’s AGM last Friday, responding to concerns over the Norwegian coach’s poor European record during his 18-month tenure so far.

“Peter said he is going to trust him, didn’t he?” said Bonner. “The fans may question it but the only guys who can make the decisions are the board and Peter Lawwell. I’m only maybe surprised that it is out publicly.” (The Scotsman)

Odds tumble as whopping 87% back Hibs for title

Hibs have cut the gap between themselves and Rangers at the top of the Championship – and it looks like they’ve forced bookies to cut their odds on winning the league too.

Since Hibs’ win over Alloa, 87 per cent of punters in the league championship market have been putting money on the Hibees to lift the title.

The odds on Hibs to win the league when they trailed Rangers by 11 points at one stage were 16/1. Today the best price is 9/2. Rangers have drifted from 1/100 to 1/8, even though they have a game in hand over Alan Stubbs’ men. (The Scotsman)

Dundee bid to play Celtic in USA

DUNDEE are set to ask for permission to switch a home Scottish Premiership fixture against Celtic to the United States – but the plan is likely to be blocked by Fifa.

Any such move has to be approved by the world governing body which opposed a similar plan by the English Premier League to take a competitive fixture abroad in 2008.

The move to stage a game against Celtic in the USA is understood to have been informally suggested by Dundee’s American owners Tim Keyes and John Nelms.

Potential venues for the match include Philadelphia and Boston. (Various)

Arfield set to turn back on Scotland

SCOTT Arfield is ready to play for Canada after repeated snubs by Scotland boss Gordon Strachan. The former Falkirk midfielder has been running the show for Burnley this year but has been ignored by Scotland.

He qualifies for Canada through his dad and may decide to switch allegiance in order to play international football.

Arfield, 27, said: “There’s no ill-feeling towards Scotland, but I’m probably leaning more towards Canada.” (The Sun)

Rumour Mill: Celtic eye Leskovic | Rangers blow in Windass chase | Kris Commons fitness