Rumour Mill: Fraser Forster | Hearts-Hibs

Fraser Forster impressed against Barcelona. Picture: Robert Perry

Xavi says Forster a good fit for Barca

WORLD Cup-winning Barcelona midfielder Xavi believes that Fraser Forster would be a good choice for the Catalan giants.

Xavi said: “I think the players all know about the Forster interest - and it is a player we know very well.

“He has shown he is a world-class goalkeeper. From what I have seen he has everything to succeed at a club like Barcelona.” (Mail)

McCoist happy for Celtic Park final

RANGERS manager Ally McCoist has no concerns about where the Ramsdens Cup final is played as long as the venue is large enough to accommodate the club’s fans.

With Hampden unavailable due to preparations for the Commonwealth Games, Ibrox, Celtic Park and Easter Road have all been mooted as alternatives.

McCoist said: “I’ve probably got my own preference where I would like the final to be but I can totally understand why it wouldn’t be there.

“There have been finals before at Hampden, Celtic Park and Ibrox. It’s genuinely not of a great concern to me. What I would like is for as many supporters as possible to get into the stadium.”

• McCoist believes that the Ramsdens Cup final will be a reward for long-suffering Rangers fans.

He said: “It’s a great day out and it gives the players and the staff the opportunity to go to a final. More importantly, it gives the supporters a big day out.”

Edinburgh derby: Brown blasts ‘under-achieving’ Hibs

• HEARTS assistant coach Billy Brown has branded Hibs as under-achievers ahead of tonight’s League Cup quarter final between the two Edinburgh sides.

Brown, a former Hibs assistant, believes that the pressure is on the Leith side to get a positive result tonight.

He said: “With the number of players signed by Hibs over the last 18 months or two years there’s big expectations.

“I don’t know why Hibs haven’t handled the pressure, they’re an experienced team.”

• JAMES McPake believes his Hibs side can rise above the derby mind games and book their place in the League Cup semi-finals.

The Hibs captain said: “I don’t think there is more pressure on us than there is on them. Their fans want them to win as much as our fans want us to win.

“Maybe it’s mind games… but I think we’ve got enough to worry about.”

Stokes seeks Celtic century

CELTIC striker Anthony Stokes is targeting 100 goals for the club after he signed a new deal at the club.

Stokes signed a new three-year deal yesterday, keeping him at the club until 2016.

The 25-year-old has scored 53 goals for Celtic, including five so far this season.

Scots ace Snodgrass ‘knocked out on pitch’

SCOTLAND midfielder Robert Snodgrass faced a major injury scare last night after being knocked out on the pitch while playing for Norwich.

Play was stopped for eight minutes and Snodgrass was taken to hospital after clashing heads with Manchester United’s Rafael. United went on to win the Capital One Cup clash 4-0.

Norwich boss Chris Hughton said: “He was out for a period of time. It is very much concussion.

“But by the time he was on his way out he was awake and aware of what was happening around him.”

Lennon eyes Taylor-Sinclair move

PARTICK Thistle defender Aaron Taylor-Sinclair is a reported transfer target for Celtic.

Neil Lennon has been tracking the defender’s progress so far this season, and reportedly sees Taylor-Sinclair as ideal competition for Emilio Izaguirre.

The 22-year-old is out of contract at Firhill at the end of the season. (The Sun)

Ciftci red card cost us game, says McNamara

DUNDEE United boss Jackie McNamara believes Nadir Ciftci’s controversial red card cost his side their League Cup tie against Inverness.

Ciftci was sent off for his part in an all-in melee that involved both the teams themselves and staff from both benches. Caley Thistle went on to win 2-1 after extra time.

McNamara said: “Sometimes these decisions go against you and they went against us.

“The interpretation was violent conduct but I will let people judge for themselves.”

Hearts in administration: CVA proposal to be ready ‘by Friday’

HEARTS administrator Bryan Jackson hopes to have a CVA proposal to bring the club out of administration by the end of the week.

Jackson, who successfully returned Dunfermline from administration this month, said that his BDO firm has been given the go-ahead by Ukio Bankas to begin the process. A bankruptcy hearing for the club’s other major shareholder, UBIG, has been delayed once again and should take place tomorrow.

Rumour Mill: Fraser Forster | Hearts-Hibs | Rangers