Rumour Mill: Efe Ambrose | Bilel Mohsni | Darren Barr
McCoist anger over Mohsni ill-discipline
Rangers manager Ally McCoist will sit down with Bilel Mohsni to discuss the centre back’s discipline problem ahead of the new campaign. The Tunisian was sent off for the third time in his Ibrox career after aiming a headbutt at Derby striker Chris Martin in yesterday’s friendly between the two sides. With plenty of competition for places at the heart of the Rangers defence, the manager wants his player to understand the damage he is doing to his own prospects as well as the team. (Record)
Ambrose escapes suspension
Celtic defender Efe Ambrose will not face a domestic ban after being sent off for the second time in four days in Celtic’s 6-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. The centre back was shown two bookings in the friendly and there is precedent for the SFA to hand out punishment in such instances. However, since the referee decided against including the red card in his match report there is no further action Scotland’s governing can take. (Record)
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Hide Ad• Tony Watt has hit back at former boss Ronny Deila after the Celtic manager claimed Watt’s exit out of Celtic Park was prompted by a poor work ethic. The Scotland under-21 international has stated that Deila personally praised his training before telling the striker that the main reason behind his Celtic Park exit was the embarrassment of riches at the striker position. (The Herald)
• Deila’s attempts to sell a second striker have incurred a setback with Belgian club Lokeren baulking at Celtic’s £1.5 million valuation for Amido Balde. The Portuguese striker signed from Vitoria Guimaraes last summer but failed to impress in his debut Premiership season, scoring only two league goals. (The Herald)
Reynolds: Sociedad will prove valuable lesson
Despite being outclassed by their Spanish opponents on Thursday, Aberdeen stopper Mark Reynolds believes the Dons players can use the match as a positive experience to help them become better players who are more equipped to dealing with tougher opponents. That theory can be put into practice when the teams meet again this coming Thursday at Pittodrie. Real Sociedad hold a 2-0 advantage. (Scotland on Sunday)
Clarkson, Millar in St Johnstone trial
Tommy Wright may finally get the chance to bolster his first team squad after trialling former Scottish international David Clarkson and ex-Falkirk midfielder Mark Millar in his side’s friendly match against Hearts today. Both are free agents with Clarkson having been released by Bristol Rovers before training with Motherwell and Kilmarnock, while Millar was released from Dundee United at the conclusion of last season.
Another surprise member of the Saints starting eleven was Stevie May. The striker is said to be the subject of a £1.2 million bid from Rotherham United, but it would appear that Wright has not given up hope of keeping his star player just yet.
Barr plays for Motherwell
Former Scotland international Darren Barr pulled on the claret and amber of Motherwell yesterday in the club’s marquee pre-season friendly against Real Betis. The central defender had been training with Partick Thistle after his release from Kilmarnock this summer. However, it would appear that a deal with the Jags has not transpired and ‘Well manager Stuart McCall will now decide whether Barr is the man to shore up the club’s leaky back-line.
Dundee to attack the Premiership
Paul Hartley has promised that his Dundee side will play an attacking brand of football in their debut season back in the Scottish Premiership. Last season’s Championship title winners were one of the more pragmatic sides in the second tier, but with an influx of new signings the Dundee boss believes his squad now has the capabilities of being more expansive in their approach. (BBC)