Rumour Mill: Nicholas backs Keane for Parkhead | Celtic consider Steve Evans | Henrik Larrson cool on job

Charlie Nicholas has called for Celtic to hire Roy Keane as Ronny Deila's replacement, the Celtic board are said to be considering Leeds United boss Steve Evans for the role, while former striker Henrik Larsson refused to comment one way or another on whether he is interested.
Roy Keane has been tipped to take over at Celtic. Picture: GettyRoy Keane has been tipped to take over at Celtic. Picture: Getty
Roy Keane has been tipped to take over at Celtic. Picture: Getty

Charlie Nicholas wants Roy Keane as new Celtic boss

Former Hoops striker Charlie Nicholas has stated his preference for Roy Keane to be made new manager of Celtic.

The ex-Manchester United star and current Republic of Ireland assistant spent six months at Parkhead at the end of his playing career and is keen to move back into management.

Roy Keane has been tipped to take over at Celtic. Picture: GettyRoy Keane has been tipped to take over at Celtic. Picture: Getty
Roy Keane has been tipped to take over at Celtic. Picture: Getty
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“I would like Roy Keane to get it because I think he would sort a lot of people out,” Nicholas said. (Sky Sports)

Celtic consider Steve Evans for manager’s role

The Celtic board are considering hiring current Leeds United boss Steve Evans as the man to replace outgoing incumbent Ronny Deila.

Evans’ contract expires this summer and there are rumours linking the Yorkshire club’s controversial chairman Massimo Cellino with a move for former Italian international defender Fabio Cannavaro. (The Scottish Sun)

Celtic's John Hartson . Picture: SNSCeltic's John Hartson . Picture: SNS
Celtic's John Hartson . Picture: SNS

Henrik Larsson cool on Celtic job

Parkhead legend Henrik Larsson refused to comment one way or another whether he would be interested in taking over at Celtic.

Larsson is currently boss of Swedish club Helsingborg and insists that’s where he focus remains for the meantime.

He said: “There’s no point to me speculating on anything like that - I’m focusing on the Helsinborgs job. My contract here is until the winter of 2017.” (STV)

Rangers' Andy Halliday has said that he was less concerned about taking his penalty against Celtic than Peterhead. Picture: Kirk O'RourkeRangers' Andy Halliday has said that he was less concerned about taking his penalty against Celtic than Peterhead. Picture: Kirk O'Rourke
Rangers' Andy Halliday has said that he was less concerned about taking his penalty against Celtic than Peterhead. Picture: Kirk O'Rourke

John Hartson hits out at Ronny Deila

Former Celtic striker John Hartson has used his column in the Sun to launch a scathing attack on current club manager Ronny Deila.

He said: “Celtic are a team close to my heart and it’s killed me to see the way he’s managed them. From his head-scratching tactics, to his failure to sort out a defence which conceded one diabolical goal after another in Europe.

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“From his baffling decision- making with players who should be playing every single week, to a signing policy which has the dressing room crammed with players who are nowhere near good enough for the club.

Roy Keane has been tipped to take over at Celtic. Picture: GettyRoy Keane has been tipped to take over at Celtic. Picture: Getty
Roy Keane has been tipped to take over at Celtic. Picture: Getty

“And don’t get me started on that embarrassment he calls the Ronny Roar. No, there isn’t just one reason why Deila should be axed by Celtic after two seasons in charge, there’s a catalogue.

“The fact of the matter is that Sunday’s Old Firm performance against ‘Rangers’ was a shambles.

“Some may point the finger at the players for the way they failed to turn up, but the buck stops with the manager. He’s the one whose job it is to get the side prepared and he clearly didn’t do that.”

Carlton Cole in Twitter spat with Celtic fans

Celtic striker Carlton Cole has been involved in a war of words with several Celtic supporters after he was accused of being an ‘imposter’ and a ‘waste of a jersey’.

The former West Ham and England striker joined Celtic back in October after being released by West Ham in the summer, but he has failed to become a regular in the first team under manager Ronny Deila with Leigh Griffiths preferred up front.

Celtic's John Hartson . Picture: SNSCeltic's John Hartson . Picture: SNS
Celtic's John Hartson . Picture: SNS

Halliday ‘more nervous’ at Peterhead penalty than Celtic

Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday has revealed that he was “a lot more nervous” taking his penalty against Peterhead last week than in the Old Firm derby at the weekend.

Halliday was the first Rangers player to score on penalties in the shootout that delivered the club a route to the Scottish Cup final.

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The player said: “It’s much easier playing. When it gets to penalties, the players turn back into fans because you have to watch. It’s much harder to watch.” (Various)

Paatelainen will do ‘everything’ to avoid relegation

Dundee United manager Mixu Paatelainen has said that the players will do everything possible to avoid relegation at the hands of their neighbours Dundee FC at Dens Park in just under two weeks’ time.

United are eight points off Kilmarnock with just five games remaining this season.

The Finn added: “The situation is not rosy – it’s very serious and difficult. But we will go out to win every game.

“You never want to lose at Dens Park or at Tannadice against Dundee. The players know this, they are not stupid, and they don’t want it to happen either. (Daily Record)

Hibs boss to speak to James Keatings over pro-Celtic Tweets

Hibs coach Alan Stubbs will warn his players to think twice before pressing ‘send’ after James Keatings was involved in a debate with fans for tweeting his support for Celtic prior to Sunday’s Old Firm clash.

Stubbs said: “They have to understand they have a responsibility to the football club they are at. I haven’t spoken to James because I didn’t know he’d done that. I will once I find out more about it.” The Scotsman

Paul McStay says memory of Raith Rovers penalty miss lives on

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Ex-Celtic player Paul McStay has revealed that watching Scott Brown and Tom Rogic miss their penalty kicks during Sunday’s Old Firm clash brought back memories of his spot-kick miss against Raith Rovers in the 1994 League Cup Final.

McStay said: “Scott will definitely be hurting – the whole team will be. They have the technical ability but it didn’t work out. Given the opportunity it would be so much different the next day.

The veteran added that he hopes young star Keiran Tierney will continue to build his career at Parkhead instead of jumping ship to the Premier League.

McStay also accused the Celtic players of being unfit and tired during Sunday’s defeat.

The Parkhead legend could not believe how many of Ronny Deila’s team ran out of steam during the second-half of the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final. (Various)

Partick urged to aim for top six finish

Partick Thistle must put their disappointment at missing out on the top six to one side if they are to finish this season with a flourish, says manager Alan Archibald.

Archibald believes the club must aim for their best-ever league finish since promotion, after losing against Ross County.

He said: “We need to try and progress from last year and finish seventh, that’s our main aim for the final games.” (Evening Times)

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Marvin Bartley watched Antiques Roadshow instead of Old Firm

Hibs midfielder Marvin Bartley was clearly not desperate to find out who the Easter Road side would be playing in next month’s Scottish Cup final, claiming to have later found out the identity of Hibs’ future opponents from team-mates.

He said: “My mum used to force me to watch Antiques Roadshow,

“Now I’m sitting at home at 29 wondering what I’m doing with my life that I’m putting it on myself. That’s just where I’m at.” The Scotsman

Call for Aberdeen hero to get statue

Gothenburg Great Neil Simpson has urged the Dons to build a statue of John Hewitt, the Aberdeen-born player who scored the winning goal against Real Madrid in the legendary 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup final.

Simpson said: “What John did was very special and deserves more recognition. Other clubs have ones [statues] in place to honour players who made impacts on their history.” (Evening Express)

NEWS IN BRIEF

- Sunday’s Old Firm match resulted in 18 arrests with Police vowing to hunt down fans who set off smoke bombs and carried out sectarian singing

- Dundee United chief Stephen Thompson will continue in his role next season, after his sister Justine Mitchell resigned from her position as director at the weekend. (Dundee Evening Telegraph)

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- Mark Oxley will return in goal for Hibernian after suspension when they face Rangers tonight, but head coach Alan Stubbs has stressed that backup keeper Conrad Logan offers serious competition for his place. The Scotsman

- Alan Stubbs insists Hibs have already shown Rangers enough respect and do not need to perform a guard of honour tonight when the Ibrox side visit Easter Road. Rangers afforded Hearts a guard of honour at Ibrox last season in their second game since clinching the Championship title. (The Scottish Sun)