Rumour Mill: Neil Lennon | Kenny Miller

Celtic manager Neil Lennon during his side's win over Ajax in the Champions League. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Lennon will leave Celtic, says Lawwell

CELTIC chief executive Peter Lawwell believes that Neil Lennon’s success at the club will eventually see him leave for a role in England.

Lawwell said: “Being realistic, that is one of the by-products of success.

“Your people are courted and the most high-profile guy, the most prominent guy in that success has been Neil.

“I don’t think fearful is the right word but we need to be realistic and accept – and I actually take a lot of pleasure in that, for him and for us – that we need to plan for the succession.” (Scotsman)

• DUBLIN’S Croke Park and Aviva Stadium are on Celtic’s shortlist of possible Champions League venues should the club qualify for a preliminary round that coincides with the Commonwealth Games.

Kenny Miller could make Rangers return

FORMER Rangers and Celtic striker Kenny Miller could make a dramatic return to Ibrox after the Scottish coach who took him to Canada was sacked.

Martin Rennie, Miller’s boss at Vancouver Whitecaps, was binned by the MLS side this week after they failed to make the play-offs and it’s thought that Miller could follow Rennie out of Canada.

Edinburgh derby: Fenlon ‘won’t resign’, Locke says win ‘one of the best’

• HIBS manager Pat Fenlon says he has no intention of resigning his post at Easter Road after his side slumped to a 1-0 derby defeat in the League Cup.

Fenlon has won just two of ten games against the Gorgie side, and 200 fans protested to demand his resignation after the match.

Fenlon said: “I don’t feel under pressure. I said before, when I took the job, that if I could take the team forward, I would do my best. If not, I’ve no problem with someone else doing that. So it’s not about pressure.” (Scotsman)

• GARY Locke believes his side’s win in Leith ranks among their best.

The Hearts boss said: “Given the circumstances it’s one of the best ever derby results. Now we have to start taking these performances into the league.” (Record)

• THERE will be no New Year’s Day derby this season - the festive clash has been moved to 2 January at 7:45pm to be shown on Sky Sports.

‘No reason’ for Scottish Cup venue choices

THE SFA’S naming of Ibrox and Celtic Park for the semi-finals and final of this season’s Scottish Cup is damaging and unnecessary, according to Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson.

Thompson believes that the concept of neutrality has been cast aside in the move, which the SFA defended on Twitter yesterday.

Thompson said: “I am just surprised at why the decision has to be made so much in advance. Major games are played at stadiums with just ten days’ notice. There is no reason why this has to happen.” (Scotsman)

• RAITH Rovers and Rangers will play the Ramsdens Cup final at Easter Road.

Ref ‘apologised’ for chalking off ‘Well goal - McCall

STUART McCall claims that referee John Beaton apologised to him for disallowing a goal for his Motherwell side during their League Cup clash with Aberdeen.

John Sutton had a goal chalked off in the third minute that replays showed should have stood. Aberdeen, who had a man sent off early on, won 2-0.

McCall said: “I went to see the referee and he apologised if that was the case. He took my word and said sorry.” (Record)

John Souttar turns down Sunderland move

DUNDEE UNITED star John Souttar has turned down a move to Sunderland that would have netted the Tannadice club £600,000.

The teenage defender decided to stay on Tayside for now after visiting the Stadium of Light. the two clubs had agreed a six-figure fee for the stopper.

Rumour Mill: Neil Lennon | Kenny Miller | Hibs