Rumour Mill: Leeds keen on Scott Allan | Rangers eye Hamilton duo

Scott Allan - a target for Leeds? Picture: SNS Group

Leeds join Allan chase

LEEDS have joined the chase for Celtic midfielder Scott Allan.

The former Hibs talisman has made just one league start for the Hoops since joining in the summer, and is also a target for Derby, Nottingham Forest and QPR.

He joined Celtic after a long and drawn-out saga that saw him repeatedly linked with Rangers. (Daily Record)

Rangers eye Hamilton duo

RANGERS have been linked with a double raid on Hamilton for goalkeeper Michael McGovern and midfielder Ali Crawford.

Mark Warburton is reportedly keen on recruiting Scottish-based players this summer, and signed Michael O’Halloran from St Johnstone during the January transfer window.

However, the Gers could face competition for McGovern with a number of clubs keeping tabs on the Northern Irish goalie. (Various)

Trio set for Scotland call-ups

JOHN McGinn, Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean could all be called up to Gordon Strachan’s squads for Scotland’s friendly matches against the Czech Republic and Denmark.

McGinn has been in sparkling form for Hibs while Tierney has caught the eye with his performances at left back for Celtic. And McLean has been an integral part of an Aberdeen squad still pushing Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title. (Various)

Fyvie optimistic of making cup final squad

FRASER Fyvie has revealed he hasn’t given up hope of securing a place in Hibernian’s League Cup final squad, despite fearing he would miss the Hampden showpiece with ligament damage.

The midfielder was injured in the away win over Morton last month and quickly realised that the likely recovery period would put his hopes of being involved against Ross County in serious jeopardy.

“I’ve got a 50-50 chance,” said Fyvie. “When it happened I thought I was out of the final but the physios have been great.

“The first time I thought I may make it was last Thursday when I started twisting and turning. It wasn’t as bad as I thought.” (Evening News)

Stubbs ‘could cope with Celtic job’ insists Stokes

ANTHONY Stokes feels Alan Stubbs could certainly cope with the Celtic job, having experienced the former Parkhead defender’s management techniques at close hand.

Stokes, currently on loan at Hibs from Celtic, said: “From the managers I have seen there, he would have no issue in coping with the Celtic job.

“That is not me trying to put anything out there. You look at him and he is obviously not in the manager’s job that long but he is like a manager that has been around for 10 or 15 years in how he handles the boys.” (BBC)

Ex-Spurs player ‘buys boots on eBay’

FORMER Tottenham Hotspur left back Benoit Assou-Ekotto has revealed he buys his boots on eBay for £23.

The 31-year-old - who once described football as ‘just a job’ - said that he would ‘rather be free than to prostitute myself for a sponsor’.

The Cameroonian defender recently signed for French side Saint-Etienne. (Various)

Warburton slams Sutton claims

MARK Warburton has dismissed Chris Sutton’s claims that none of the current Rangers squad would get into the Celtic starting line-up.

Warburton hit back: “How many Leicester players right now would get into the Manchester City or Chelsea squad? You wouldn’t think there would be many. But Leicester are five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

“So everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I disagree with it. How many of my players would get in the Celtic team? I have no idea. It’s about us. The boys have done great so far. So to turn around and say they couldn’t get into another team is all supposition.” (Daily Mail)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Aberdeen trialled an unknown striker in a development league match with Dundee earlier this week. The mystery player, thought to be Dutch, scored in the game and has reportedly been training with the Dons for the past two days

• Mark Hateley believes Rangers will struggle against Celtic without striker Martyn Waghorn

• Alan Stubbs has urged his Hibs squad to use the disappointment of last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Falkirk as a catalyst for victory on Sunday

Rumour Mill: Leeds keen on Scott Allan | Rangers eye Hamilton duo | Trio set for Scotland call-ups