Rumour Mill: Brendan Rodgers' fury at Maribor spitting | Celtic eye Liverpool keeper | Waghorn has football on the brain

The Hoops boss blasted a 'disgraceful' spitting incident during his side's 0-0 draw with Maribor.

Brendan Rodgers described the spitting incident as a disgrace. Picture: Getty Images

Celtic eye up 23-year-old Liverpool keeper

Celtic are interested in a move for Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward after making an enquiry for the player, according to reports.

The Hoops are reportedly interested in a move for the 23-year-old ahead of next season.

Bhoys manager Brendan Rodgers could have a fight on his hands to secure his second major signing of the summer after Football Insider reported Ward is closing in on a loan move to Huddersfield. (Football Insider)

Brendan Rogers furious after Leigh Griffiths spat on during Maribor clash

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has slammed Maribor defender Erik Janza for spitting on Leigh Griffiths in Celtic’s final Champions League warm-up match.

Rodgers spoke out after the left-back appeared to spit on the Hoops striker late in the first-half of last night’s friendly which ended in a goalless draw.

Rodgers – who confronted the player and referee during the game – said: “‘The full-back spat at Leigh Griffiths.

“Disgrace it was. A disgraceful act.

“Leigh challenged for ball, used his body — and the full-back turned and spat at him. He shouldn’t have been on the field.” (Daily Record)

Rangers’ Martyn Waghorn has football on the brain

Martyn Waghorn is disproving the popular conception that footballers’ brains are in their boots by utilising the psychological mantra of a world-renowned professor to aid his performance while also making in-depth analyses of Rangers’ opponents in the new season. ( The Scotsman)

Neil Lennon: Ex-Celtic man Teemu Pukki won’t become Superman

Neil Lennon admits the trouble with Teemu Pukki at Celtic was his withdrawn personality. However, the Hibs manager is far from willing to concede the £3 million Finnish striker’s time with Celtic was a 
write-off. ( The Scotsman)

Hearts keeper Jack Hamilton ready to take the hard knocks

Stitches, bruising and swelling on the forehead are the visible results of Jack Hamilton’s trip to Estonia. No matter how inflamed his skull becomes on the outside, it won’t match the bulging pride inside the Hearts goalkeeper.

Wednesday night’s 4-2 win over FC Infonet in Tallinn was a career highlight for the 22-year-old. He was confirmed as his club’s No.1 keeper just a few weeks ago and received a thumping welcome to European competition from Infonet’s robust defender, Ofosu Appiah.

The Ghanaian’s head clattered full force into Hamilton’s late in the game, leaving both players grounded and needing medical attention. Appiah had an angry exchange with Hearts coach Robbie Neilson in between leaving and re-entering the field. Hamilton was adamant he wasn’t going off, even temporarily.

A Rab C Nesbitt-style bandage and a new blood-free shirt helped him finish the game. ( The Scotsman)

Mark Warburton confident Joey Barton will handle life at Rangers on and off the park

Mark Warburton, is confident midfielder Joey Barton will fit into his Ibrox squad ahead of the new season.

The 33-year-old was not part of the group that returned from a training camp in South Carolina on Friday morning but will spend the coming days with Warburton’s side at their Murray Park base ahead of the Betfred Cup tie with Motherwell next weekend.

Barton has already made an impact at Ibrox since agreeing a two-year deal with Rangers in May, with jibes towards Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and captain Scott Brown adding an extra layer of intrigue ahead of the resumption of the Old Firm rivalry in the Premiership next term. (Evening Times)

Stefan Johansen warned of £2.5m Galatasaray fines

Celtic midfielder Stefan Johansen has been warned a proposed move to Galatasaray could cost him millions in fines.

The Turkish giant fined Wesley Sneijder with a penalty of nearly £2million for being booked 11 times last season.

It works out around £178,000 per yellow card for the 32-year-old Dutch international.

Johansed was cautioned 14 times times during the last campaign.

If the Turks meted out the same financial punishment it would cost him a staggering £2.49million – well over twice his reported annual basic wage offer. (Celtic Quick News)

Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths not worried about arrival of Moussa Dembele

Griffiths and Dembele only played alongside one another for an hour or so in last week’s 2-1 friendly victory over Slovenian outfit Olimpija Ljubljana.

However, the pair showed more than enough to suggest they could strike up a deadly partnership in Celtic’s pursuit of a sixth successive league crown.

Last season’s Player of the Year is thrilled to finally have a foil to work with up top and he is convinced the pair will run amok this season. (Daily Record)

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