Rumour Mill: Celtic shareholder scam | Rangers injuries

Celtic chiefs have issued a warning over potential scammers targeting shareholders. Picture: John Devlin

Celtic fears over shareholder fraudsters

CELTIC have issued a warning over fears that fraudsters are targeting the club’s shareholders.

It is claimed that scammers are making ‘suspicious calls’ about investments in Celtic and the club has urged fans not to give out personal details over the phone.

The calls are believed to be part of a ‘boiler room’ scam where fraudsters offer shares that are either worthless or overpriced, or non-existent.

Celtic chiefs have urged supporters to be vigilant. (Daily Record)

Johansen happy with ‘step up’ to Scottish football

CELTIC midfielder Stefan Johansen insists that he doesn’t regret leaving Norway for Scotland, despite Celtic twice missing out on the Champions League group stages.

Johansen believes that some Norwegian top-flight clubs, including Ronny Deila’s former team Stromsgodset, Rosenborg and Europa League opponents Molde are of a standard equal to the Scottish Premiership.

But the 24-year-old, who made 73 Tippeligaen appearances for Bodø/Glimt and Stromsgodset between 2008 and 2013, reckons the Scottish Premiership is a ‘notch up’ from the Norwegian top flight. (Romsdals Budstikke)

Deila returns to scene of pivotal moment

APART from his old stomping ground of Stromsgodset itself, there is no more appropriate venue for Ronny Deila’s return to Norway as Celtic manager than the Aker Stadium in Molde.

In April 2013, he arrived in Molde for a fixture which proved pivotal to his emergence as a title-winning manager in Norway, with Stromsgodset ending a barren spell of eight winless matches against Molde over four years with a 2-1 win over the reigning champions.

They mounted a title challenge which was further enhanced when they crushed Molde 5-2 in the return fixture, helping them claim only the second Norwegian championship in Stromsgodset’s history and the first for 43 years - and subsequently paved the way for Deila to succeed Neil Lennon at Celtic. (The Scotsman)

Warburton in protection plea for roughed-up Gers

RANGERS boss Mark Warburton has begged Scottish whistlers to give more protection to loan midfielder Nathan Oduwa.

The Spurs youngster was on the receiving end of some meaty tackles from Livingston’s defence in the Gers’ 1-0 Petrofac Training Cup quarter final win, and Warburton subbed Oduwa at half time.

And the Ibrox boss said: “Talented players do need some protection. I’m not saying special treatment — but look after them. Some of the tackles were inappropriate.

“The referee didn’t say a lot to me and Davie Weir which, again, is frustrating.” (The Sun)

Disputed penalty hands Hibs vital win over Falkirk

A DISPUTED first-half penalty was enough to give Hibernian three points as they battled past Championship rivals Falkirk last night.

Blair Alston was adjudged to have fouled John McGinn in the box, with striker Jason Cummings converting the spot-kick for his ninth goal this season.

Hibs boss Alan Stubbs admitted the award was soft but felt his side should have had a penalty earlier. (Various)

Arsenal stun Bayern with late show

OLIVIER Giroud came off the bench to help give Arsenal a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich and keep alive their Champions League hopes.

The Germans had arrived at the Emirates Stadium in imperious form following a new Bundesliga record of nine consecutive victories and leaders of Group F with maximum points from two European ties.

However, Arsenal – who had lost their first two matches to sit bottom of the table – produced a resolute display and took the lead on 77 minutes when Giroud headed in after a mistake by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had earlier produced a brilliant save to deny Theo Walcott.

Mesut Özil scored a second in stoppage time to seal the win, his close-range effort given by the fifth official after Neuer had clawed the ball back from over the goalline. (The Scotsman)

Rumour Mill: Celtic shareholder scam | Rangers injuries | Falkirk-Hibs