Rumour Mill: Celtic face fight for McNair | Dundee reject Stewart bid | Barton '˜will stroll Old Firm game'
Hoops face McNair battle
CELTIC face competition from Burnley and Sunderland for Manchester United youngster Paddy McNair as Brendan Rodgers looks to bring in new faces.
Antrim-born McNair has made nearly 30 appearances for United but looks set to be allowed to go on loan.
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Hide AdAnd while the utility man is on Celtic’s radar, both Burnley and Sunderland are keen on the Northern Ireland international. (Daily Record)
Dundee knock back Stewart bid
DUNDEE have rejected a £300,000 bid from Birmingham for Greg Stewart, just days after Kane Hemmings left Dens Park for Oxford United.
Blues boss Gary Rowett could make an improved bid later this week and Dundee could decide to sell the 26-year-old for a fee rather than lose him for nothing at the end of the season. (Scottish Sun)
Barton ‘will stroll Old Firm match’ says ex-team-mate
JOEY Barton will have no bother strolling September’s Old Firm showdown according to former Burnley team-mate Tom Heaton.
Turf Moor ‘keeper Heaton said of his pal: “One of the things I was most impressed with was [Barton’s] element of control, which he seems to have found later in his career.
“I wouldn’t bat an eyelid about him handling [the Old Firm match].” (Daily Record)
Barca coach praises Roberts
CELTIC lost their Champions Cup clash with Barcelona by three goals to one but Luis Enrique highlighted the performance of Patrick Roberts in his post-match interviews.
An early effort from Arda Turan and an Efe Ambrose own goal put Barcelona 2-0 up, before Leigh Griffiths pulled one back. Munir scored a third for the Blaugranas just before half time but Enrique singled out Roberts after the match.
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Hide AdEnrique said: “Patrick Roberts is a great player and he has a great future in the game. He has great quality and I expect he will be important for Celtic.” (MEN)
Warburton slams players after Burnley loss
MARK Warburton reportedly kept his Rangers stars in the dressing room for an hour after the 3-1 friendly defeat at the hands of Burnley.
A hat-trick from Andre Gray - who Warburton helped bring to prominence at Brentford - saw the Ibrox side’s shortcomings exposed with the league campaign just around the corner.
Striker Kenny Miller said: “What was said shall remain within the dressing room although it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out the areas that need to be addressed.
“In hindsight it may not be as bad as we think. But we were definitely exposed in certain areas.” (Daily Record)
Lennon happy with Shrews win
NEIL Lennon praised his Hibs stars after a comprehensive 4-1 friendly win over Shrewsbury at the weekend.
Goals from Liam Fontaine, Grant Holt, Jason Cummings and James Keatings ensured Lenny’s men returned north with a morale-boosting victory, while former Motherwell star Jim O’Brien was on target for a Shrewsbury side featuring former Hibs duo Ryan McGivern and Gary Deegan as well as ex-Hearts and Rangers midfielder Ian Black.
Lennon said: “I couldn’t have asked for any more from them. We scored four great goals and looked a threat. I want to play like that next week, if possible, with plenty intensity. Everything we’re asking of them, they’re doing at the moment.” (Various)
NEWS IN BRIEF
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Hide Ad• A lucky punter scooped nearly £60,000 from a bet of just £1.40 - after betting Inverness CT, Dundee United and Ross County would all win their matches 7-0 at the weekend
• Celtic face Motherwell and St Johnstone take on Hearts in the second round of the Betfred Cup. Hibs host Queen of the South while Rangers are at home to Peterhead