Rumour Mill: English sides chase Rangers kid | Celtic net £26m | Kranjcar to undergo surgery
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English sides chase Rangers kid
Four of the English Premier League’s biggest clubs are interested in prizing 15-year-old Billy Gilmour away from Rangers.
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Hide AdThe prospect is already rated around £3 million and has interested scouts from Arsenal, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs.
However, the good news for Rangers fans hoping to see the youngster turn out for the first-team one day is that Gilmour’s family would prefer to see him remain in Glasgow. (Daily Mirror)
Celtic net £26m
Celtic have been given £26 million from Uefa for making the Champions League group stages - though the final figure is likely to be even higher.
This is the figure handed down by the governing body and doesn’t include ticket and hospitality sales, or any other means in which the club generates income on matchdays. (Daily Record)
Specialist confirms Kranjcar injury
Niko Kranjcar will miss the rest of the season after a specialist confirmed the veteran midfielder had suffered a cruciate ligament injury in his knee.
Kranjcar suffered the injury in a freak training ground incident. The 32-year-old was turning with the ball when he suddenly hit the deck in pain.
He’ll now undergo surgery to repair the damage. His recovery will take at least six months. (Various)
• Former Rangers striker Michael Mols has backed Kranjcar to bounce back from the injury. The Dutchman suffered his own ligament injury at Ibrox but managed to bounce back. (Evening Times)
Scotland’s poppy appeal
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Hide AdSFA chiefs will plead with Fifa authorities to allow Scotland’s players to display poppies during next week’s World Cup qualifier with England at Wembley.
Stewart Regan will join English representatives to meet with Fifa after both sides made their feelings known in writing.
It is understood the SFA blazers will not challenge the decision to have Scotland play in their change pink strip, a ruling made because of an apparent kit clash with their hosts. (Daily Record)
Neilson: Four-way battle for second
Hearts are readying themselves for a four-way winter battle for second place in the Scottish Premiership.
Head coach Robbie Neilson warned today that the intense fight will continue for weeks as Rangers, Hearts, Aberdeen and St Johnstone all try to get closer to leaders Celtic.
Just one point separates the four teams in question, while the champions are already nine clear at the summit and have a game in hand. (Evening News)
Rodgers: Celtic the better team
Brendan Rodgers believes Celtic deserved to take all three points from the 1-1 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany which has extended their hopes of further progress in Europe this season.
The Scottish champions remain in contention for a last-16 place in the Champions League after Moussa Dembele’s 76th-minute penalty cancelled out Lars Stindl’s first-half opener for the Bundesliga side.
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Hide Ad“I thought we were the better team,” said Celtic manager Rodgers. “We should have scored again. Callum’s either got to score or he’s got to square it to finish.”(The Scotsman)
• Patrick Roberts insists Celtic’s players are disappointed with the 1-1 draw, despite a marked improvement in the team’s performance from the first game.
Edinburgh City fail in Templeton bid
The SPFL’s newest side, Edinburgh City, have failed in a bold bid to bring former Rangers striker David Templeton to the club.
The 27-year-old, who started his career at Stenhousemuir and joined Rangers in 2012 from Hearts, has not played for more than a year due to a combination of injuries and was released by the Ibrox club in the summer.(The Scotsman)
McIntyre calls on fans to back team
Jim McIntyre has called for Ross County fans to help rouse the team out of their current slump.
The Staggies sit just one point above the drop zone having endured a rough start to the 2016/17 league season, which sees them mired in a relegation battle.
Frustrated that the club have failed to build on last season’s top six finish and League Cup victory, fans have began to voice their displeasure, though McIntyre asked them to stick with the players. (Press and Journal)