Rumour Mill: Blackburn target Stubbs | Gers want Pritchard | Celtic hold Mackay talks

Blackburn shortlist Alan Stubbs as they look for a replacement for Paul Lambert; Rangers bag morale-boosting win over Spurs as Warburton eyes loan deal for Alex Pritchard and Celtic hold talks with Malky Mackay
Alan Stubbs is a target for Blackburn as they seek a new manager. Picture: SNS GroupAlan Stubbs is a target for Blackburn as they seek a new manager. Picture: SNS Group
Alan Stubbs is a target for Blackburn as they seek a new manager. Picture: SNS Group

Blackburn want Stubbs

BLACKBURN have become the latest club to be linked with Hibernian boss Alan Stubbs.

The Ewood Park side lost manager Paul Lambert recently and are seeking a replacement for the Scot.

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Stubbs has also been linked with Bolton but insisted earlier this week that nothing will distract him from his main tasks of getting Hibs back into the Scottish Premiership and winning the Scottish Cup. (Various)

Celtic hold talks with Mackay

CELTIC have interviewed Malky Mackay as the race to appoint a successor to Ronny Deila gathers pace.

Brendan Rodgers and David Moyes are also due to hold talks this week.

Mackay, who has management experience at Wigan, Watford and Cardiff, played for Celtic between 1993 and 1998. (Daily Mail)

Gers eye Pritchard loan as Spurs friendly ends in win

RANGERS are looking to bring in Alex Pritchard on loan next season, while yesterday’s friendly win over Tottenham providing a morale boost ahead of the Scottish Cup final.

Warburton knows the attacking midfielder after taking him on loan at Brentford, where he scored 12 goals in 45 games, and the Rangers boss is keen to be reunited with the 23-year-old.

Meanwhile, a largely first-choice Rangers team defeated a Spurs XI 4-3. Dele Alli and Moussa Dembele turned out for Spurs, who mostly featured fringe players and youngsters. (Various)

United to appoint McKinnon

DUNDEE United are set to unveil Ray McKinnon as their new manager on a three-year deal, after talks with the ex-United player reached a successful conclusion last night.

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It was also confirmed that United have been docked three points and fined £30,000 for fielding ineligible players in their recent win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle, prompting United chairman Stephen Thompson to resign from the SPFL board.

McKinnon is likely to be unveiled next week, after the last game of the season against Kilmarnock. He quit Raith Rovers last night. (Various)

Griffiths scores 40th goal of season

CELTIC striker Leigh Griffiths entered the history books last night by reaching 40 goals in one Premiership season.

He joins Celtic legends Bobby Lennox, Jimmy McGrory, Joe McBride, Kenny Dalglish, Charlie Nicholas, Brian McClair and Henrik Larsson as the only other players to score 40 goals in a single campaign.

Aberdeen seal Stockley signing

ABERDEEN have signed Bournemouth striker Jayden Stockley on a pre-contract agreement.

The 22-year-old joins the Dons on the back of a successful loan spell with Exeter, where he scored ten goals in 22 matches.

Stockley made his Bournemouth debut at the age of 15 and made 22 first-team appearances, and has cited the opportunity of playing European football as his main reason for signing up with the Dons. (The Scotsman)

Ziggy Gordon a target for Dundee

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DUNDEE have targeted departing Hamilton defender Ziggy Gordon as the man to replace the outgoing Paul McGinn.

McGinn has been offered a new contract but is yet to sign it, with Hibs also targeting the player should they manage to make promotion.

Hamilton boss Martin Canning said of Gordon: “Whether it is a training session or a game, he would tackle his granny, he is that type of player.” (Evening Telegraph)

Malmo defeat ‘beginning of the end’ for Deila, admits Lawwell

CELTIC chief executive Peter Lawwell has revealed that his side’s Champions League exit to Malmo was the ‘turning point’ for Ronny Deila’s tenure at Parkhead.

He said: “Supporters were disappointed, we were disappointed, pressure came from the media and from that point it was difficult for Ronny to recover.

“It reached the stage where our players couldn’t win going into games. They could only lose.”

Lawwell added that it would have been “very unfair” to fire Deila immediately after the Malmo defeat, as some fans wished. The Norwegian will end his tenure with Celtic on Sunday after his side faces Motherwell. (The Scottish Sun)

Buaben eyes Euro action

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PRINCE Buaben is eager to prove his worth in Europe with Hearts next season, after his first shot at continental competition with Dundee United in 2010 ended abruptly.

The Ghanaian said: “I played two games for Dundee United in Europe against AEK Athens and that was a great experience but the only time I have played in Europe.

“If I am being honest I didn’t expect us to do this well [this season]. This is a good league with good players, so to do what we have done this season is very satisfying.” (Evening Times)

NEWS IN BRIEF:

Aberdeen are preparing to announce plans for a new £40m stadium and training centre in Westhill, to the west of the city. The club has been located at Pittodrie since 1903

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee has praised his “older lads” Stephen Pearson and Keith Lasley for their composure and goal-scoring in last night’s 3-1 victory over Ross County