Rumour Mill: Brown could face ban | Oxford want McGinn | Caixinha pleads with Gilmour | Novo gutted
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Oxford want McGinn
Oxford United are looking to nab another star player from the SPFL after the League One side made a move to sign Aberdeen winger Niall McGinn on a pre-contract. The Northern Irishman will see his current deal expire at the end of the season and will be free to leave Pittodrie after five years in the north east. Hearts had previously shown an interest in signing the player, who is said to still be considering his options. Oxford signed Dundee’s Kane Hemmings and Motherwell winger Marvin Johnson earlier this season. (Scottish Sun)
Balde career in jeopardy
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Hide AdEx-Celtic striker Amido Balde could be forced to quit football after being diagnosed with a blood clots. The 25-year-old is currently on loan at Portuguese side Tondela from Maritimo and had to be rushed to hospital earlier this week after falling ill. Balde spent one season in the Celtic first-team, scoring twice, before he was loaned out and ultimately released in 2015. (Scottish Sun)
Caixinha makes Gilmour plea
New Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha has begged youngster Billy Gilmour to reconsider his impending move to Chelsea. It was reported yesterday that the EPL club had won the race to sign the 15-year-old, who will be free to leave for a compensation fee of around £500,000 when he signs his first professional deal this summer. Caixinha has now tried to get the highly-rated teenager to change his mind and stay with his boyhood club. (Scottish Sun)
Brown and Rodgers to discuss future
Scott Brown and Brendan Rodgers will have a private discussion on whether the Celtic captain should continue his Scotland career beyond Sunday’s 1-0 win over Slovenia. The 31-year-old saw a surge in his form last year after retiring from international football and Rodgers would prefer the midfielder quit Scotland for a second time. Scotland’s next match, against England on 10 June, comes just a few days before Celtic’s squad meet back for pre-season training. (Daily Record)
Brown could face ban
Scott Brown’s decision whether or not to play for Scotland against England could be decided by Fifa after the governing body revealed they are reviewing a few incidents from Sunday’s game. The Scotland captain was accused of stamping on Slovenia’s Jasmin Kurtic, just minutes after Brown was taken out in an off-the-ball incident involving Josip Ilic. If found guilty, Brown will likely face a suspension that will rule him out of June’s fixture.
Novo gutted by Rangers snub
Former Rangers favourite Nacho Novo says he’s “disappointed” to not even receive an interview for the No.3 position under new manager Pedro Caixinha. The ex-striker revealed that he had submitted a CV but had not been asked to meet with the Portuguese coach. Several other ex-Rangers stars, including Barry Ferguson, John Brown and Alex Rae, are being considered for the post. (Daily Record)
Newcastle eye Falkirk youngster
Newcastle United are looking to sign Falkirk youngster Connor McBride. The Development Squad talent is said to have impressed scouts from the Tyneside club, and manager Rafa Benitez has given the go ahead to make an offer. Newcastle are also interested in signing former Falkirk favourite Scott Arfield. (Daily Star)
Rangers’ director of football
Rangers have said they expect a director of football to be appointed ‘imminently’ after the club released a website regarding internal changes being made at the club. Southampton scout Ross Wilson rejected the chance to join the Ibrox side earlier in the month. (Rangers FC)
Dundee United investment
Dundee United are set to receive £300,000 from an American investor to help improve the club’s dire financial situation. The unnamed individual is said to be a graduate from the University of St Andrews, originally from Glasgow and a big fan of the Tannadice side. Chairman Stephen Thompson has met with the US banker on three separate occasions to thrash out the details of the deal. (The Courier)