Rumour Mill: Rangers cheated, says ex-Celtic ace | Rodgers eyes '˜keeper | Gers could get McInnes for £800k

Former Celtic favourite insists Rangers cheated, Brendan Rodgers keen to go shopping for goalkeeper and Rangers could get their man for a cut-price fee
John Hartson hit out at Rangers, accusing people of cheating at the club. Picture: SNS GroupJohn Hartson hit out at Rangers, accusing people of cheating at the club. Picture: SNS Group
John Hartson hit out at Rangers, accusing people of cheating at the club. Picture: SNS Group

Rangers cheated claims Hartson

Former Celtic striker John Hartson launched a scathing attack on Rangers last night, insisting that people at the club cheated and brought the club to its knees.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, the Welshman said: “Rangers need a strong Rangers for Rangers, not for Scottish football. Celtic haven’t looked back in the last six years in my opinion.

John Hartson hit out at Rangers, accusing people of cheating at the club. Picture: SNS GroupJohn Hartson hit out at Rangers, accusing people of cheating at the club. Picture: SNS Group
John Hartson hit out at Rangers, accusing people of cheating at the club. Picture: SNS Group
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“It’s Rangers people that have brought this club down, they cheated if you like, their over-payments, EBTs... they need to run the books properly and not pull every stroke in the book.” (BBC)

Rodgers eyes ‘keeper move

Brendan Rodgers has vowed to keep improving Celtic and is believed to be targeting a new goalkeeper in the January window.

Rodgers said: “I will look to go into the market in January. When you are winning and strong, that’s when you have to strengthen. It’s inverted in Scotland, arguably the most important window here is January.

John Hartson hit out at Rangers, accusing people of cheating at the club. Picture: SNS GroupJohn Hartson hit out at Rangers, accusing people of cheating at the club. Picture: SNS Group
John Hartson hit out at Rangers, accusing people of cheating at the club. Picture: SNS Group

“There are one or two areas we want to strengthen, but it’s always about availability and affordability.” (Scottish Sun)

Tierney flattered by interest but happy at Celtic

Kieran Tierney says there is ‘every chance’ he will stay at Celtic for the rest of his career and revealed he would have happily signed an even longer contract than the six-year deal he agreed with the Hoops this week.

Manchester United and Tottenham are among Tierney’s admirers and Celtic have ensured they would be able to command an optimum fee for their prize asset if he was to be lured south of the border.

But boyhood Celtic supporter Tierney said: “There’s no doubt about it, I could be a one-club man. We will see what happens. I hope I can stay here as long as I can and keep playing for Celtic. I am in no rush to leave.” (The Scotsman)

Rangers could land McInnes for £800k

Reports this morning suggest Rangers could land Derek McInnes and assistant Tony Docherty for £800,000 rather than the £1.5 million quoted earlier this week.

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The six-figure sum was the amount Sunderland agreed to pay in the summer before McInnes knocked back a move to the Black Cats and signed a new deal at Pittodrie.

But his new Aberdeen deal contains the same fee - £800,000 - although Rangers are reportedly still to make contact with Stewart Milne over the former Ibrox midfielder. (Daily Record)

Souness: I’m finished with management

Graeme Souness has suggested he’ll never manage again after conceding that his personality isn’t suited to modern management.

Speaking to GQ magazine about his new book, Souness asid: “I worked out that the winning didn’t compensate for the losing. And I realised that my personality is not suited to modern management where the power is all with the players.

“The tail wags the dog - if you fall out with one in the dressing room, he and his four or five mates collectively have the power to get rid of you because together they’re worth £200 million.” (GQ)

Ricksen ‘will keep fighting’ despite MND deterioration

Former Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen has vowed to keep fighting MND despite his health deteriorating over the last 12 months.

Diagnosed with the terminal disease in 2013, Ricksen has started losing further strength in his arms and neck, and told the Scottish Sun: “I know what the outcome will be, but I’m not going to waste any time or energy worrying about the future. I’m realistic and know that, at the moment, there is no cure for MND. But I’m not going down without a fight and will never give up. I’m still convinced I’ll be the first person to beat MND.” (Scottish Sun)

Bartley keen to add goals to games

Marvin Bartley has developed a reputation as the Hibs enforcer in midfield but has admitted he could do with adding goals to his game.

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Revealing that he gets a hard time from midfield colleague John McGinn, Bartley said: “When I was at Leyton Orient and Burnley I was played a bit further forward but that’s not really part of my game now as I rarely get that high up the pitch. And even when I do the gaffer is telling me to get back. But in all seriousness it would be nice to get a goal at some point.” (Evening News)

Duo boost Hearts with possible Killie return

Don Cowie and Aaron Hughes have an outside chance of returning from injury when Hearts face Kilmarnock this weekend. Both players are due to resume full training at Riccarton today, with coaching staff hopeful they could play some part in Sunday’s Premiership match at BT Murrayfield.

Hughes missed all of October after aggravating a calf problem against Dundee at Dens Park on September 30. A hamstring complaint has prevented Cowie playing since the win at Ross County in the middle of last month. (Evening News)

United deny Stubbs claim as Laszlo primed for top job

Csaba Laszlo is expected to be named Dundee United’s new manager once he returns from carrying out work commitments in Hungary, with the Tannadice club insisting that former Hibs boss Alan Stubbs did not turn down the job - as it was never offered to him. Meanwhile, jokers edited the Wikipedia pages for United and Laszlo to proclaim the Hungarian as manager, even adding in made-up quotes from the 53-year-old from a press conference that was never held. (Evening Telegraph)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Jesus Garcia Tena has suggested he could seek a longer deal at Edinburgh City but admits his long-term aim is a return to full time football

• Patrice Evra was sent off before Marseille’s match with Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal after appearing to kick a fan in the face

• Everton’s meek exit from the Europa League is statistically the worst performance by an English club in the competition. The Toffees departed with one draw and three losses after losing 3-0 to Lyon last night