Rumour Mill: Celtic linked with Agard and Santos | Rangers eye Evans | Malonga set to leave Hibs

Celtic linked with Bristol City striker and Venezuelan winger; Rangers keen on Blackburn midfielder and Dominique Malonga set to leave Hibs

Agard on Celtic’s radar

CELTIC have reportedly made an approach for Bristol City forward Kieran Agard

The 26-year-old, who started his career with Everton and has had spells with Kilmarnock, Yeovil and Rotherham, can play up front or on the wing, and has scored 15 goals in more than 50 games for the Robins.

But Celtic could face a fight to land Agard, with Fulham also interested. (HITC)

Hoops keen on Santos

CELTIC and Birmingham are both keen on NEC Nijmegen’s Venezuelan winger Christian Santos, who has scored 35 goals in 53 games, helping NEC seal promotion last season.

The 27-year-old has attracted interest from a number of clubs, with Aston Villa and Hull also keeping tabs on the Venezuelan international. (Various)

Rangers eye Evans

RANGERS have been linked with Blackburn Rovers midfielder Corry Evans, after missing out on Toumani Diagouraga.

Belfast-born Evans, who can play in midfield or central defence, is the brother of Manchester United star Jonny, and started his career at Old Trafford.

He has made more than 70 appearances for Blackburn and has had spells at Carlisle and Hull previously. But he is contracted to Blackburn until 2019 so would command a sizeable fee if Rangers were to make a move. (Various)

Malonga nears Hibs exit

DOMINIQUE Malonga is set to leave Hibs, after the player and club reached an agreement to terminate his contract.

The French-born Congolese international - a cult hero among large sections of the Hibs support - scored 21 goals in over 40 games for Hibs but was an unused sub in Hibernian’s 3-1 win over St Mirren. (Evening News)

Warburton angry at Halliday red

MARK Warburton has slammed referee Barry Cook after midfielder Andy Halliday was sent off for gesturing to opposition fans.

A clearly incensed Warburton said sarcastically after the match: “I’ve seen it and the player made the fatal mistake of celebrating a second goal. It was scandalous behaviour on his part.”

He added: “We’ve lost an important player to a second yellow which we can’t appeal.” (Scottish Sun)

Hartley hits out at Nevin over Sportscene comments

DUNDEE boss Paul Hartley has blasted Pat Nevin after the pundit criticised his team’s defending in the 1-0 loss to Aberdeen.

Hartley said: “Pat Nevin doesn’t know what he’s talking about and it’s the same every week. It just sums that programme up, it’s the worst I’ve ever seen.

“Nevin wasn’t a defender, he has never coached or managed a team. So what would he know about the shape of my team?” (Various)

St Johnstone anger over ticket farce

ST Johnstone have hit out after tickets initially lined up for the McDiarmid Park side went to Hibernian ahead of the teams’ League Cup semi-final clash at Tynecastle.

It means Hibernian will have the vast majority of fans and the stadium while Saints fans have been given the traditional away stand at the Roseburn end.

The club said they “share the disappointment this outcome will cause ticketless supporters”. (BBC)

St Mirren legend dies at 76

ST MIRREN legend Tommy Bryceland has died at the age of 76.

Widely considered to be the Buddies’ best-ever player, the forward - who played during the 1950s and 1960s, passed away at the weekend after a short battle with cancer.

He led the club to Scottish Cup glory over Aberdeen in 1959, and after spells at Norwich and Oldham returned to Paisley as a player and then manager. (Paisley Express)

Hoops set to end Crepulja interest

CELTIC look set to end their interest in Croatian midfielder Ljuban Crepulja as talks with Manchester City forward Patrick Robert are ongoing.

Crepulja, who has been on trial at Parkhead, has returned to Slaven Belupo in Croatia, with Celtic reportedly seeking other options.

But talks with City over a loan deal for ex-Fulham forward Roberts appear to be progressing. (STV Sport)

Whitecaps linked with Aird loan

VANCOUVER Whitecaps have been linked with a loan move for Rangers midfielder Fraser Aird.

The Toronto-born 20-year-old. who has been with Rangers since 2011, has made over 60 appearances for the Ibrox side but the Gers are reportedly happy for Aird to return to Canada, with both sides keen on a loan arrangement. (TheProvince.com)

Saints could be without trio for Hibs clash

ST JOHNSTONE are likely to face Hibs without injured trio Dave Mackay, Murray Davidson and Chris Millar.

Millar is nursing a hamstring injury while Mackay is having bother with his hip.

Davidson was subbed against Celtic after picking up an injury but of the three is the one with the greatest chance of making the match day squad. (Sky Sports)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Mixu Paatelainen is keen on bringing Noel Hunt and Steven Lawless to Dundee United

• Aberdeen have signed Australian Under-23 goalkeeper Aaron Lennox until the end of the season

• Shrewsbury could hijack Kilmarnock’s move for Sullay Kaikai

• The SFA will seek to resolve the venue merry-go-round for East Kilbride’s cup match against Celtic after Hamilton ruled out the use of New Douglas Park

• Paul Quinn has rejoined Ross County after cancelling his Aberdeen contract

• Hearts will be without defender Igor Rossi for the cup clash with Hibs after the Brazilian copped a two-match ban for his sending off against Hamilton