Rumour Mill: Celtic for Saidy Janko

Saidy Janko of Manchester United is believed to be a target for Celtic. Picture: ManUtd.com

Celtic ‘close to signing Manchester United youngster’

Celtic are close to signing Saidy Janko from Manchester United, according to reports.

The 19-year spent time on loan at Bolton Wanderers last season playing under Neil Lennon and could be set to make the switch north of the border.

The Swiss right-back was signed by United two years ago for a fee of £700,000 by FC Zurich, but has failed to make the grade at Old Trafford. (Daily Mail)

Scott Allan ‘is staying at Hibs’ - Alan Stubbs

Hibernian manager Alan Stubbs has insisted that the club holds all the aces when it comes to prized midfielder Scott Allan.

The Championship Player of the Year has been linked with a summer move and both Premiership champions Celtic and Hibs’ league rivals Rangers have been credited with an interest, but the Easter Road boss believes that they can repel any advances that do come along.

Celtic target Mitchell Dijks has signed for Ajax. Picture: Getty

Stubbs said that negotiations were ongoing to tie up Allan on a longer-term deal, but said that if those discussions were to stall he would be comfortable with the notion of the player seeing out his contract and leaving for nothing at the end of the campaign. (The Scotsman)

Sunderland to offer Steven Fletcher to Celtic

Sunderland could be set to offer Steven Fletcher to Celtic in a cut-price deal in order to help fund their move for Moussa Sow.

The Black Cats are keen on the Fenerbache forward and Fletcher’s place in the squad will be in serious jeopardy if a deal could be made.

Celtic have been linked with the Scottish international for some time, though assistant boss John Collins has stated the club are unlikely to land the player due to his high wages. (The Sun)

Ronny Deila rubbishes Forrest to Bolton rumour

Celtic manager Ronny Deila has tipped James Forrest to reach his potential next season as he dismissed suggestions the winger could move to Bolton.

Deila questioned why the Scotland international would move from Parkhead to the Macron Stadium amid reports that Wanderers boss Neil Lennon wants to sign his former protege. (The Scotsman)

Virgil van Dijk ‘can play for Barcelona’ - Deila

Ronny Deila believes Virgil van Dijk should only move from Celtic Park if he is offered a deal by one of world football’s biggest clubs.

Speaking about the ongoing speculation regarding the wantaway defender, Deila believes it would be beneficial for the player to remain with his current club, where he could feature in the Champions League group stages, rather than get lost in the crowd at a run-of-the-mill English Premier League team.

Deila insists he is in constant communication with the player and van Dijk will remain at least until the Champions League qualifying stages have passed. (The Scotsman)

• Celtic have lost out in the race to sign Dutch left-back Mitchell Dijks. The highly rated 22-year old yesterday agreed to join Ajax after the Amsterdam side agreed to send three youngsters on loan to Willem II along with a £700,000 fee. (Daily Record)

Hibs expecting to sign goalkeeper within days

Alan Stubbs is confident that Hibs will have at least one new goalkeeper signed by the end of this week.

The Easter Road side have no senior keepers on their books after the contracts of Mark Oxley, Tomas Cerny and Kleton Perntreou expired at the end of the season. However, Stubbs is optimistic that he will soon have that department of his team resolved, with movement expected as early as today.

Asked about the goalkeeping situation, he said: “We’re very close.” (Edinburgh Evening News)

Kiernan: I lied at Killie to play against Celtic

New Rangers signing Rob Kiernan revealed that, while on loan at Kilmarnock, he lied to boss Jimmy Calderwood in order to be brought off the bench against Celtic.

As an 18-year old, Kiernan joined the Rugby Park club on a short-term loan deal from Watford and was instantly pushed into the first-team squad.

When asked by Calderwood if he could play right back, Kiernan replied in the affirmative, even though he’d never played there before in his life.

He played the final 17 minutes as Kilmarnock held onto a 1-0 victory to spoil Robbie Keane’s Celtic debut. (The Scotsman)

Trio in contention for Hearts captaincy

Morgaro Gomis, Neil Alexander and Alim Ozturk are the three contenders for the Hearts captaincy, which will be decided next month.

Head coach Robbie Neilson will choose one of the three to succeed the departed Danny Wilson after assessing their leadership during pre-season. (Edinburgh Evening News)

News in brief

• Ryan Jack has been named new Aberdeen captain, replacing Russell Anderson who retired this summer. (The Scotsman)

• Dundee have signed Inverness CT midfielder Nick Ross on a two-year deal. (Various)

• Gordon Marshall has replaced Jim Leighton as the goalkeeping coach at Aberdeen. (Sporting Life)

• Motherwell have signed winger Lionel Ainsworth to a two-year contract extension. (The Scotsman)

Rumour Mill: Celtic for Saidy Janko | Scott Allan