Rumour Mill: Celtic could sign Roberts if he leaves City | Commons told to shape up | Warburton won't '˜sit in stands' to watch rivals

Kris Commons has been warmed he'll have to change his game if he wants to stay at Celtic. Picture: TSPL

Celtic could be favourites to sign Patrick Roberts if he leaves Man City

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers believes the time Patrick Roberts spends at Parkhead could make them favourites to sign the starlet on a permanent deal.

The Celtic manager said: “I’m relaxed about the fact he’s only here on loan. Of course, you would like players to come in as permanent signings.

“But I like to work with good players. The loan does two things. It allows the player to buy into the team, commit and take on responsibility.

“Also, it’s a chance for us to sell the club. There might be a point down the line where he has to leave City.

“If he’s had a good experience with us, we probably stand a greater chance of bringing him here on a permanent basis.

“If he has a good experience and plays well, he might just end up signing for the club at a later time.” (Record)

Rodgers to get in touch with Kolo Toure over possible move

Brendan Rodgers has admitted that Celtic are keen on signing former Liverpool defender Kolo Toure.

35-year-old Toure was released by Liverpool last month and now could be heading north to help shore up Celtic’s defence.

Rodgers said: “Kolo is a good guy. He’s 35 but is one of those players who is super fit.

“He trains every day and he has a wonderful personality, so we will see.” (Various)

Rangers’ Josh Windass seeks to step out of dad’s shadow

Kris Commons told to shape up or be at risk of losing his place in the Celtic squad

The 32-years-old is a high wage earner and doesn’t appear an obvious fit for the new Celtic manager’s all-action brand of football, so he could soon be at risk at losing his place in the squad.

“Kris, or any player for that matter, has to be able to play how I want to work,” said Rodgers.

“They have to be able to run. They have to be able to press. They have to be aggressive.

“The possibility is open to every player. But at this moment in time, Kris is injured so he is just worrying about getting fit – then we will see where he is at.” (Various)

Rangers boss Mark Warburton insists he doesn’t see the point in travelling to see league rivals in action

Mark Warburton has said he has been studying his new league rivals but doesn’t believe travelling to watch them play is worth the effort.

Warburton said: “Sometimes I’ll go and watch Premiership games next season but I believe people go to matches sometimes for the sake of it, to tick a box.

“I am not talking about any one individual but often I think: ‘What are you seeing there you can’t see elsewhere?’ We have access to so many platforms and games.”

“I watch some of the trips people do and it is ludicrous.

“There is no way you are benefitting from doing that. We don’t yet know enough about the other Premiership teams but our analysts are already looking at all the games, working on teams that haven’t changed personnel and have retained their core squad.” (Various)

Rangers First in crisis as three bosses quit in management row

Rangers First, a Rangers Fans group set up two years ago to enable fans to buy shares in the club and get representation on the Ibrox board, is in turmoil after three major figures quit in a row over management.

Former Labour MP Brian Donohoe has resigned, while fellow directors Kelly Johnstone and Peter Ewart have also left. (Record)

News in brief:

• Gareth Bale insists Wales can win the Euros. (Various)

• Hearts to open talks with Swedish goalkeeper Viktor Noring. (Scotsman)• Brendan Rodgers is keen to tie down Tom Rogic on a long term contract. (Various)The Scotsman’s EU Referendum page: Keep up to date with latest news, polls and features.DOWNLOAD THE SCOTSMAN APP ON ITUNES OR GOOGLE PLAY