Rumour Mill: Moyes on why he snubbed Celtic | Hearts eye Nowak

David Moyes has revealed he wanted to return to management in the English Premier League. Picture: Getty Images

Moyes: I snubbed Celtic for England return

DAVID Moyes has revealed he turned down a return to Celtic as manager in order to try his luck at managing in England again.

Moyes, who managed Preston North End, Everton and Manchester United before a brief spell in charge at Real Sociedad, has just been appointed Sunderland boss.

He revealed: “I met Celtic and I know the people very well. They spoke to me several times but I had other clubs who met me at the same time. I had opportunities to go abroad but I wanted to come back to England.” (Various)

Hearts run rule over Polish stopper

HEARTS are running the rule over Polish defender Krystian Nowak, who is currently on trial at Tynecastle.

The 22-year-old was freed by Ekstraklasa outfit Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biala during the summer, and the former Poland Under-21 cap could be seen as a replacement for Jordan McGhee, who has joined Middlesbrough on loan. (Scottish Sun)

Galatasaray cool Johansen interest

TURKISH side Galatasaray look to have cooled their interest in Celtic midfielder Stefan Johansen and are now courting Liverpool ace Lucas.

Talks between the Super Lig side and Johansen have failed to move on over the past fortnight, after a £1 million bid was turned down by the Hoops.

It is believed Celtic chiefs are keen on moving Johansen on for at least £2 million. (Various)

Dons bring in defender

ABERDEEN have bolstered their defensive options with the signing of Kesi Omolokun from Bradford.

The 18-year-old centre back has joined the Dons’ Development Squad after impressing in a closed doors game against Dundee. (Various)

Astana rage at Griffiths rumbles on

ASTANA defender Igor Shitov is still miffed that Leigh Griffiths is available for the return leg at Parkhead tomorrow night after the pair clashed in Kazakhstan.

Russian stopper Shitov is adamant Griffiths should have been sent off for an off-the-ball incident but UEFA dismissed calls for retrospective action because the referee had booked the Celtic striker durnig the match.

Shitov said: “Griffiths hit me and what happened should have been a red card. He should be suspended for this match. The referee did not see it properly because he only gave a yellow card.” (Daily Mail)

Bitton sold Marciano on Hibs move

OFIR Marciano has revealed Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton was instrumental in convincing him to hold talks with Hibs.

The 26-year-old Israeli ‘keeper is expected to sign a one-year deal with Hibs today and said his countryman had told him Scotland was the best place to come.

Hibs head coach Neil Lennon has already said Marciano will be his first-choice goalie at Easter Road. (Various)

Brown claims Dons will be main challengers

CELTIC skipper Scott Brown has dismissed Rangers’ title hopes by insisting Aberdeen will be the Hoops’ main challengers.

Brown, who has been embroiled in a tit-for-tat spat with Rangers midfielder Joey Barton said yesterday: “I think Aberdeen [will be the biggest threat] after the last couple of season. They have been exciting to watch and have taken points off us at Celtic Park. We struggled up there so we’ll need to do a bit better this season. Aberdeen and Hearts have been great in the last few seasons and we expect more of the same from those two.” (Daily Express)

Killie laugh off Magennis bid

KILMARNOCK have laughed off a bid from Oldham for Josh Magennis, branding the offer as ‘too low’.

Oldham reportedly offered less than £50,000 for the Northern Ireland striker, with director Billy Bowie claiming Rugby Park fans ‘would have shot us’ if the board had accepted the derisory bid.

Bowie added: “This is a player who just a couple of months ago was playing at Euro 2016. So how Oldham thought we’d entertain an offer like that is beyond belief. It’s laughable.” (Daily Record)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Hibs are hopeful of having key trio David Gray, Dylan McGeouch and Marvin Bartley available for Saturday’s league opener against Falkirk. The three missed the last couple of friendlies through injury

• Rangers captain Lee Wallace has backed Joey Barton to deliver the goods at Ibrox

• Blackburn Rovers are set to make a decision on Faissal El Bakhtaoui with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Dundee and even former club Dunfermline still keen on the forward

Rumour Mill: Moyes on why he snubbed Celtic | Hearts eye Nowak | Turks cool Johansen interest