Rumour Mill: Nigel Pearson for Celtic? | Old Firm clash at Wembley

Ex-Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson has emerged as a shock candidate for the Celtic job. Picture: Getty Images

Video: O’Halloran wipes out snapper

Who knew photographing a football match could be so dangerous? SNS Group snapper Craig Foy was bundled over by Rangers forward Michael O’Halloran as he took pictures during the Ibrox side’s 1-0 loss at Livingston.

Could Nigel Pearson be next Celtic boss?

EX-Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson has emerged as a shock candidate for the Celtic job - but the Hoops could miss out if Aston Villa come calling.

A host of top names have been linked with the Celtic job including David Moyes and Roy Keane but Pearson is a name that has been discussed at length by Parkhead chiefs.

But both Middlesbrough and Villa are hopeful of landing Pearson as the two clubs seek a new manager. (Daily Express)

Rodgers odds drift out

ONE man who is looking increasingly unlikely to take over at Celtic however is ex-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.

The Northern Irishman had been linked with the job but with his odds drifting to 16/1, it looks as though the former Swansea boss won’t be heading North any time soon. (Various)

Stillitano bids to take Old Firm game to Wembley

US sports mogul Charlie Stillitano has revealed he wants to take the Old Firm derby to a global audience - starting with a showdown at Wembley.

The Relevent Sports chief said: “The fact Rangers are back in their top league and playing Celtic on a regular basis gives the Scottish game one of the biggest fixtures in the world again.

“If we can put on a Manchester derby in Beijing, we can put on a Glasgow derby... Wembley would be perfect. It would be a personal goal of mine to do that.” (Daily Mail)

Petrov keen on Hoops return

STILIYAN Petrov declared himself ready for a return to professional football yesterday and admitted he’d love a return to Celtic.

The Bulgarian midfielder, who has recovered from Leukaemia, is 36 but believes he could still do a job for a club. He has been training with Aston Villa but said he was open to offers.

Petrov added: “I’m looking forward to a return to football again. I believe I will be able to play again at a high level. I’m really excited.

“If that means there is a chance to play for Celtic again, that would be unbelievable.” (The Scotsman)

Celtic are nothing without Rangers, Davids claims

NETHERLANDS legend Edgar Davids has claimed that Celtic are nothing without Rangers.

The former Dutch international, who was helping launch the International Champions Cup tournament, said: “I saw that Rangers are going to be in the top league in Scotland against, so I was happy for them.

“It also helps Celtic that Rangers are back. Without Rangers, Celtic are nothing. You need that rivalry. If you have black, you need white.

“Even if they don’t want to admit it, I think fans of all the other [Scottish] clubs will be happy. They’ll want Rangers there and they will want to beat them.” (Daily Mail)

Killie fans rage at Johnston at AGM

KILMARNOCK fans called on club secretary Michael Johnston to be removed from the club’s board during angry scenes at the Rugby Park side’s AGM.

Killie chairman Jim Mann stepped down after the AGM and admitted he was ‘taken aback’ by the shareholders’ hostility.

But Kilmarnock fan and chief of Killie Pie makers Brownings Bakers, added: “Hopefully Michael Johnston will see sense and go before any vote of confidence.

“The only way for the club to move forward is for him to go.” (Various)

Sviatchenko donates £1000 to Midtjylland fans

CELTIC defender Erik Sviatchenko has donated DK10,000 (about £1000) to a Midtjylland supporters’ group to help them buy paint and equipment for a banner ahead of an upcoming match.

The Danish international spent seven years at the club, and has handed over the amount to the Black Wolves fans group.

Sviatchenko said: “[Midtjylland] have been in my heart club for ten years and the fans have always been there for me.

“Therefore, I would like to pay back a little, which they can use to create a great atmosphere for my old team-mates and for the other spectators who come to the stadium.” (Midtjylland website)

Hearts duo training with Falkirk

Falkirk are weighing up moves for Hearts teenagers Sean McKirdy and Liam Henderson, with the duo set to leave the Edinburgh club this summer.

The pair, who are both expected to play in this evening’s SFA Youth Cup final against Motherwell at Hampden, recently trained with the Bairns as they weigh up their options for next season. (The Scotsman)

Stein tells Rangers to focus on quality

RANGERS great Colin Stein has insisted Dave King must keep his promise of financial backing for Mark Warburton but does not believe there needs to be a massive influx of players at Ibrox this summer.

Chairman King has repeatedly said he will bankroll a spending spree on the squad to the tune of £30 million in order to make Rangers competitive immediately on their return to the Premiership.

Stein trusts the South African-based multi-millionaire will be true to his word and provide Warburton with the necessary funds to find a new spine for the team. (The Scotsman)

We’ll still be main rivals to Celtic, insists Considine

ANDREW Considine is relishing the resumption of Aberdeen’s rivalry with Rangers next season but has warned there will be no immediate return to the old order of Scottish football.

Instead the Dons defender is convinced Aberdeen will remain Celtic’s closest challengers for the title next season despite the Ibrox club’s return to the top flight following a four-year exile. (The Scotsman)

No excuses for defeat, admits Warburton

RANGERS boss Mark Warburton offered a damning assessment of his side after their 1-0 defeat by Livingston last night – and refused to accept lack of motivation could have played a part.

The Ibrox club have taken only one point from their past three league games, defeats by Hibernian and Livingston sandwiching a draw at home to Alloa.

“There’s no excuses, not just the players, the staff in general and we have to look at ourselves because that’s not Rangers,” he said.

“Every time you put a blue jersey on it has to be a big game for you and that was game one of our lead into the cup final. We have 24 days to get it right, which we will do, but we have to learn from that.”

(Various)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Both Alan Stubbs and Stevie Aitken hit out at Peter Houston after the Falkirk boss expressed concern that Dumbarton would ‘down tools’ in their match with Hibernian

• Livingston boss David Hopkin is hopeful of hanging onto starlet Matthew Knox despite a host of clubs keeping tabs on the 16-year-old

DOWNLOAD THE SCOTSMAN APP ON ITUNES OR GOOGLE PLAY

Rumour Mill: Nigel Pearson for Celtic? | Old Firm clash at Wembley | Petrov eyes Celtic return