Rumour Mill: Celtic step up McCarthy chase | Warburton hails Celtic | Reading want Efe | Senderos deal close

Celtic could make loan bid for McCarthy; Warburton hails Celtic win as '˜positive' after £250k Euro cash boost; Ambrose a target for Reading and Senderos set for Gers deal and could face Killie

Celtic are keen on Everton midfielder James McCarthy. Picture: Getty Images

Hoops eye loan move for McCarthy

CELTIC are weighing up a loan move for Everton midfielder James McCarthy on the back of their windfall from qualifying for the Champions League group stages.

Brendan Rodgers has been hinting at a ‘marquee signing’ but faces competition from Sunderland, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Watford and Newcastle. (Daily Mail)

Warburton hails ‘positivity’ of Celtic win

MARK Warburton has said it is ‘a positive’ for Scottish football that Celtic have reached the Champions League group stages.

Each Premiership club will get a cash boost of between £200,000 and £250,000 as a result of Celtic’s progress.

And Warburton added: “It’s a positive. It’s a Scottish club progressing to the Champions League group stage. It absolutely has to be a positive. It would be stupid to say anything other than that.” (Daily Record)

Reading join Ambrose chase

READING have entered the race for Celtic defender Efe Ambrose, despite the Royals signing ex-Hoops stopper Tyler Blackett earlier this week.

Ambrose is almost certain to leave Parkhead and has been linked with a number of clubs but Reading are favourites to sign the Nigerian, who will likely play a holding midfield role at the Madejski Stadium.

But Reading could face competition from Blackburn Rovers if Shane Duffy, linked with Celtic earlier this summer, completes a move to Brighton. (Daily Express)

Senderos ‘could face Killie’

PHILIPPE Senderos could make his debut against Kilmarnock, if Rangers can strike a deal for the former Arsenal stopper.

The Swiss defender, who is attracting interest from 1860 Munich, has spent the last fortnight training with Rangers but Mark Warburton is hopeful of concluding a deal for the 31-year-old.

Warburton added: “It has to be right for Rangers and right for Philippe. If we get that combination then we’ll be okay. We have other options and so has he, but I have been very, very impressed.

“He is in good shape. But we have to make sure it is the right decision for Rangers and he must make sure it is the right decision for him. I am very hopeful we are getting very near.” (Daily Record)

Staggies eye Wigan midfielder

ROSS County are reportedly close to tying up a deal for Wigan Athletic midfielder Tim Chow.

Chow, 22, made 13 appearances for the Latics last season but has found himself down the pecking order and could be allowed to leave in search for first team football.

And the Staggies look set to take Chow to Dingwall as they look for a replacement for Jackson Irvine. (HITC)

Caley Thistle keen on Jamaican international

INVERNESS Caledonian Thistle have taken Jamaican international striker Jamar Loza on trial.

An ex-Norwich player, Loza has three caps for his country, and is still only 22.

He has also had spells with Coventry, Yeovil, Southend, Stevenage and Leyton Orient. (Inverness Courier)

Ex-Dons striker goes Dutch

FORMER Aberdeen loan striker Simon Church has signed for Dutch outfit Roda JC.

The Welshman, who joined the Dons on loan from MK Dons last season, has signed a one-year deal with the Eredivisie outfit, with the option of an additional year. (Various)

Killie deny Burke interest

KILMARNOCK boss Lee Clark has denied the club are interested in former Rangers winger Chris Burke, insisting the 32-year-old is training with the club to maintain fitness levels.

Clark said: “We would love to sign him but I don’t believe we could match the offers he’s been receiving. He’s been looking good during his sessions with us but I don’t think it would be possible for us to get him.” (Various)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Sunderland have been linked with Nottingham Forest’s Scottish winger Oliver Burke, who is valued at £8 million

• Norwich City boss Alex Neil has admitted an interest in Middlesbrough forward Jordan Rhodes

• Hamilton Accies boss Martin Canning is hopeful that the cash injection from Celtic progressing to the Champions League group stages will help the New Douglas Park side bring in a new player