Rumour Mill: Johansen | Henderson’s double| Meekings

Stefan Johansen in action for Celtic against St Johnstone. Picture: SNS Group

Twitter reacts to Liam Henderson’s Rosenberg performance

Liam Henderson, on loan from Celtic to Rosenborg BK, lit up Twitter last night after a staggering late appearance as a sub saw him net two goals within minutes.

His current form has lead to conflicting opinions on social media with some saying that his loan to the Norwegian side was a masterstroke by Celtic Ronny Deila and important to both the player’s and the club’s future development. Other detractors have suggested that loaning the 19-year-old out has shown what he is capable of and was a mistake.

The youngster scored his first goal for the Trondheim club on Wednesday in a 3 - 0 cup final win over Vuku.

He added a further two goals to his tally in the dying minutes of Saturday’s 4 - 1 win over Stabaek.

Stefan Johansen ready for Celtic contract talks

Celtic’s Stefan Johansen is keen for Parkhead to push ahead with contract talks, it has emerged.

The 24-year-old Norwegian has hinted he would welcome talks to extend his stay at Celtic. He still has two years left on his contract with loan club Stromsgodset.

Johansen, one of the stars shortlisted for the PFA Scotland’s Player of the Year award, has also been linked to a score of clubs in England and the German Bundesliga clubs in recent weeks.

Celtic gaffer Ronny Deila has insisted that he wants the player tied to be part of his long term vision for the club. (Various)

Josh Meekings’ second phantom ban

Inverness star Josh Meekings found himself at the centre of another SFA drama yesterday as he was handed a second phantom suspension.

The Englishman had his one-match ban from his handball against Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final lifted just days before by the SFA’s judicial panel but appeared again on the suspension list in an SFA blunder.

The defender had just three bookings all season.

The news reportedly sparked frantic calls to the governing body ahead of Caley Thistles 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen to ensure Meeking’s appearance on the field.

Meekings said: ““I was a bit confused by that but it has been a long week and a lot of mistakes have been made.” (Sunday Mail)

McCall ‘sickened’ by McCulloch booing

Rangers boss Stuart McCall appealed for unity last night after admitting he was “very sad and sickened” at booing of Lee McCulloch during the club’s 2-2 draw with Falkirk.

The result handed Hibs the advantage in the scrap for second place in the Championship.

McCulloch, 36, was turned on by sections of the crowd at Ibrox after being outwitted by John Baird in the build up to Falkirk’s second goal.

McCall reportedly expressed his concern at how McCulloch’s treatment would impact on the club’s young players ahead of the final league match at Hearts next week.

He said: “What did please me was that after a couple of minutes of it the supporters turned that on its head and in the end drowned out the booing and that’s what we need as a club, togetherness.” (Scotland on Sunday)

Swanson will miss Europa League outing with Saints

Danny Swanson may just have helped to propel St Johnstone into a Europa League spot but has revealed he will miss any European outing as he will reportedly be returning to Coventry in the summer.

The midfielder scored a stunning opener in the Saints’ 0-2 win away at Dundee.

The victory puts St Johnstone in fourth place and four points adrift of Inverness in third spot as the battle for Europe heats up.

Swanson said: “I played one game in Europe for Dundee United and it was a terrific experience.

“I may not get to play there for St Johnstone but if I leave the club in Europe then I’ll have done my job.

“Coventry want all their players back for pre-season training. We have a new manager in Tony Mowbray and he wants us to return.” (Sunday Mail)

Scotland’s door open for Islam Feruz

It has been suggested that troubled Chelsea striker Islam Feruz could be welcomed back by the SFA as he continues to mature.

Following an acrimonious move from Celtic to Stamford Bridge in late 2011, Feruz scored twice in a triumphant 2012 FA Youth Cup final.

After three failed loan deals in the past eight months, and a host of incidents that paint him in a less than endearing light including a Twitter tirade against Celtic, the 19-year-old seems far removed from the young player that, in the words of one SFA insider, would become “the poster boy for an inclusive Scotland”.

However, Scotland Under-21 coach Billy Stark has reportedly said: “We all make mistakes and you hope that, as he seems to be saying, he can learn from his, add elements to his game and mature into a fine footballer.” (Scotland on Sunday)