Rumour Mill: Celtic eye McGinn | Warburton eyes more loans | Hibs return to Hampden

Celtic eye move for McGinn; Mark Warburton in talks with Spurs and Arsenal over further loans and Hibs secure Hampden return as Stubbs rages at ref over Oxley booking
Celtic have been linked with a move for Dundee defender Paul McGinn. Picture: Getty ImagesCeltic have been linked with a move for Dundee defender Paul McGinn. Picture: Getty Images
Celtic have been linked with a move for Dundee defender Paul McGinn. Picture: Getty Images

Celtic eye McGinn

CELTIC are understood to be contemplating an offer for 25-year-old Dundee defender Paul McGinn.

The right-back’s contract is due to run out in summer, but the Hoops could face competition for the brother of Hibs midfielder John, with Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic keeping tabs on the defender. (Daily Express)

Hibs secure Hampden return

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HIBERNIAN shook off any League Cup final hangover they might have had by defeating Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-1 in the Highland capital, in the Scottish Cup quarter final replay.

Hibs head coach Alan Stubbs said ‘the only real downer’ was losing goalkeeper Mark Oxley for the next round.

Oxley was booked for apoparent time-wasting, giving him his second yellow of the competition, and was replaced by Finnish ‘keeper Otso Virtanen.

Stubbs said: “He lost his contact lens. It was obvious to everyone in the stands that he had a problem with his eye, and there was a problem with communication.” (BBC)

Rangers discuss loans with Arsenal and Spurs

RANGERS manager Mark Warburton has opened talks with Spurs and Arsenal over new loan signings for next season.

The Englishman has revealed he was in contact with both clubs during a trip back to London earlier this week.

Warburton hopes to extend his recruitment policy to other English Premier League clubs with whom he established personal links during his time as a founder of the NextGen under-19 tournament for elite European teams. (The Scotsman)

Rooney to return for league split

ABERDEEN boss Derek McInnes is confident that Adam Rooney will be back in time to spearhead Aberdeen’s title charge after the April split.

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He said: “Adam went for a scan on Monday. There is still that healing process so he has a bit to go through — but we are happy enough with how it’s going.”

The Irishman has missed the last four Aberdeen games with a torn thigh muscle. (Scottish Sun)

Ciftci involved in on-pitch brawl

CELTIC striker Nadir Ciftci, on loan to Turkish outfit Eskisehirspor, scored in a 3-3 draw against Akhisar Belediyespor before becoming caught up in a scuffle on the pitch.

The game was stopped in the 81st minute to allow treatment for an injured player, with Akhisar scoring from a drop-ball to equalise.

The Eskisehirspor players were aggravated, with Ciftci squaring up to Bruno Mezenga and ripping the Brazilian’s shirt open. Ciftci’s attempts to calm the situation meant that he did not receive a card for the incident. (Daily Record)

Ex-Hibs player probed over Cheltenham urine incident

EX-Hibernian striker James Collins is being investigated by his club Shrewsbury Town over an incident at the Cheltenham Festival.

The forward, currently on loan at Northampton Town, is alleged to have urinated into a glass before pouring it over a balcony along with MK Dons midfielder Samir Carruthers.

Shrewsbury released a statement stating they would “fully investigate” the allegations. (The Scotsman)

Dundee’s Etxabeguren may need operation

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DUNDEE have enlisted the help of a specialist to decide if Spanish defender Julen Etxabeguren will go under the knife to correct a shoulder injury picked up in their 0-0 draw with Celtic.

The ex-Real Sociedad player landed awkwardly on his shoulder after a challenge, with manager Paul Hartley confirming his absence from this Sunday’s Dundee derby. (Evening Telegraph)

Deila ‘can’t win’ at Celtic says McCoist

FORMER Rangers manager Ally McCoist feels that Celtic boss Ronny Deila will not succeed regardless of what he does due to a lack of qualification for Europe and pressure in the Premier League from title rivals Aberdeen.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, McCoist said: “The current manager at Celtic is a man I have a great deal of sympathy for because, no matter what he does, it is probably not going to be enough.

“Scottish football for the last three or four years has been in an absolutely bizarre situation when nobody really knows what’s good and what’s bad and what’s indifferent” (Inside Futbol)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Rangers manager Mark Warburton says Peter Houston should win the Championship’s Manager of the Year award for keeping Falkirk competitive against Rangers and Hibernian this season

• Ex-Celtic centre-back Johan Mjallby has claimed that the Hoops need Rangers back in the Premiership to push the club onwards both competitively and financially

Partick Thistle goalkeeper Marc Waters has been loaned out to League Two side Clyde to help bolster the club’s promotion ambitions