Rumour Mill: Celtic's play 'dross' - Sutton | Anthony Stokes to Hibs? | Rangers will 'not be held to ransom'

Former Celtic player Chris Sutton has criticised Ronny Deila's style of play, Anthony Stokes edges close to Hibs move and Rangers say they will not be held to ransom over Brentford midfielder Toumani Diagouraga or St Johnstone forward Michael O'Halloran.

Anthony Stokes. Picture: SNS

Anthony Stokes to Hibs?

Celtic striker Anthony Stokes is edging closer to a loan move to Hibs with the Irishman holding in-depth talk with the Easter Road side yesterday.

Dundee United have also expressed an interest with boss Mixu Paatelainen saying that Stokes can help his side avoid the drop. (Various)

John Hughes says he never heard back from the Celtic striker. Picture: John Devlin

Chris Sutton hits out at Deila’s style of play

FORMER Celtic striker Chris Stutton has branded the style of football being played by the Parkhead side under Ronny Deila as “bang-average dross”.

Sutton says the Norwegian must be backed by the board in order to build a side capable of competing in the Champions League. (Various)

Derby to bid £7m Andy Robertson

John Hughes says he never heard back from the Celtic striker. Picture: John Devlin

DERBY County are to launch a £7m bid for Hull City’s Andy Robertson in a move that could see his former club Dundee United quids in.

The Scotland international was bought from United 18 months ago for £3m with the Tannadice outfit set to rake in £750,000 should the sale go ahead. (Record)

Mark McGhee: I should have been Liverpool boss

MARK McGhee says missing out on promotion to the Premiership with Wolves and Milwall cost him the chance of landing a top job. (Various) g

- John Hughes has accepted defeat in the rush to land Anthony Stokes on loan.

The ex-Hibs and Falkirk boss was keen to bring Stokes to Inverness, but the Celtic forward appears unlikely to head for the Highlands.

Hughes added: “It looks like Anthony Stokes is going elsewhere, so we wish him all the best.” (The Scotsman)

Fruz and Anier return to parent clubs

HIBS forwards Henri Anier and Islam Feruz have cut their loan spells at Easter Road short, and returned to Dundee United and Chelsea respectively.

Both players struggled for game time, with Anier recuperating after an injury and Feruz making just six substitute appearances. (Various)

Rangers ‘won’t overspend’ vows Warburton

RANGERS boss Mark Warburton has vowed not to overspend in the transfer window.

Facing fairly hefty transfer fees if the club is to land either Brentford midfielder Toumani Diagouraga or St Johnstone forward Michael O’Halloran, Warburton insisted that the club would ‘spend wisely’.

Warburton added: “The players we bring in have to represent value for the club.

“There is a fine line between being brave in a decision and making a poor decision.” (The Scotsman)

Gers winger joins Dumbarton

TOM Walsh has left Rangers to sign for fellow Scottish Championship side Dumbarton.

The winger has signed until the end of the current campaign. (Various)

Naismith a target for Swans

SCOTLAND striker Steven Naismith could leave Everton this window - but Norwich City face competition for his signature from Swansea.

Alex Neil is keen on bolstering his attacking options but the former Rangers and Kilmarnock striker could be caught in the middle with the Swans keen to add firepower to their frontline. (Various)

Ambrose happy to no longer be fall guy

Efe Ambrose insists the days of him being singled out as Celtic’s fall guy are over.

The defender has often found the finger of blame pointing his way following a string of high-profile gaffes, including two against Juventus in a Champions League clash at Parkhead and again against Fenerbahce.

But the Nigerian stopper said: “Everything that happened is done. I just focus on what I’m doing now. “I try to keep my head cool and concentrate on doing the simple things.” (The Scotsman)

BDO to get Rangers Big Tax Case appeal under way

RANGERS oldco liquidators BDO will begin their fight against the ‘Big Tax Case’ verdict next month.

BDO are looking to take a final appeal to the Supreme Court and have applied to the Court of Session to be granted leave, with a hearing scheduled for February 24. (The Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

Dundee boss Paul Hartley is hoping to add Cordoba striker Arturo Juan Perez-Reverte to his squad

Partick Thistle boss Alan Archibald has threatened to quit if Stuart Brannigan is sold to Aberdeen this month

Falkirk have given boss Peter Houston a new two-and-a-half year deal