Rumour Mill: Leicester eye Celtic ace | Rodgers laughs off Arsenal link | Caixinha hits out at Warburton

Foxes linked with Sviatchenko move; Rodgers insists he ignored Arsenal talk and Pedro Caixinha takes a thinly-veiled dig at predecessor Mark Warburton

Is Erik Sviatchenko heading for the Celtic exit? Picture: John Devlin

Leicester eye Erik swoop

Leicester could make a summer bid for Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko, according to reports.

While Sviatchenko vowed to fight for his place at Celtic in an interview with Danish publication BT, Leicester plus a number of other clubs are said to be keen on the 25-year-old centre half. (Various)

Rodgers laughs off Gunners link

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed he paid no attention to rumours linking him with the Arsenal job.

Rodgers, who signed a new four year deal on Friday, had been tipped as a potential successor to Arsene Wenger at the Emirates.

But the former Swansea and Liverpool boss said: “I’ve got experience of working at a big club so maybe that can have an influence. I went close with Liverpool. But I am happy to be at [Celtic] now.” (Evening Times)

Caixinha hits out at Warburton over players

Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha has claimed that Mark Warburton didn’t bring out the best in his Ibrox squad.

Caixinha said ahead of the Gers’ clash with Aberdeen that he felt the ‘players have the potential but it is maybe inside of them and they haven’t expressed it to the level they can’. (Daily Record)

Costa Rica deal for Izaguirre?

Celtic defender Emilio Izaguirre has been offered a deal by Costa Rican side Deportiva Alajuelense - the first team in the world to reach 100 points in a league season.

The Honduran full back, who has enjoyed a raft of success during his seven years at Celtic, is believed to have offers from MLS in America as well as his time at Parkhead looks to be coming to an end. (Daily Record)

Cathro slams critics who ‘want Hearts to fail’

Ian Cathro has taken aim at people he claims are happy to see Hearts fail.

The Tynecastle boss has won just 5 out of his 19 games in charge in Gorgie, and has seen Hearts slip to five points off fourth place after the mid-week defeat to St Johnstone.

But he added: ”My feeling would be that just now there are probably more people than normal that are keen to see this club lose, or let’s say not win.

“If they are choosing to do that, I would suggest they are probably choosing the wrong people in that I sit here as a strong person, very ready to deal with any of this for however long or to whatever extent people choose.” (Various)

Brown reveals his choice for next Celtic captain

Scott Brown has revealed that Kieran Tierney would be his choice to replace him as captain of Celtic.

Speaking to the Ladbrokes Football Show, Hoops skipper Brown said: “Celtic fans would love [Tierney] to stay around. He’s a natural leader and die-hard Celtic fan.

“He knows what winning games at Celtic Park means. He’d be the one for me.” (Various)

Warburton: ‘No quick fix’ to catch Celtic

Former Rangers boss Mark Warburton has warned that things ‘won’t happen overnight’ as the Ibrox side looks to narrow the gap on Celtic.

With Rangers currently 35 points adrift of Celtic, and 12 points behind second-placed Aberdeen, Warburton said: “There is no quick fix. You have to have strong foundations. You can’t go and buy a £10m striker and hope it works.

“You have to recognise there is a job at hand and it won’t happen overnight.”

Reds favourites to sign Dembele

Liverpool are currently leading the race to sign Celtic striker Moussa Dembele.

The French ace, who could return to action against Kilmarnock today, has been linked with a host of top clubs, but Liverpool look to be out in front in the race to sign the 32-goal forward. (Daily Express)