Rumour Mill: Rangers eye Irish duo | Dembele at the double | Celtic and Rangers wages

Rangers are interested in Dundalk pair Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan, Moussa Dembele netted twice for France under-21s in their win over England, and Celtic pay twice as much to players as Rangers according to a new survey.

Daryl Horgan, left, is one of two Dundalk players wanted by Rangers. Picture: Getty

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Rangers eye Irish duo

Mark Warburton is eyeing a double swoop for Dundalk duo Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan as the pair are set to become free agents next month.

Defender Boyle and wide-man Horgan have helped Dundalk complete a historic season where the League of Ireland side reached the Europa League group stages. (Daily Record)

Dembele nets double

Moussa Dembele’s value continues to rise after the Celtic striker netted a double for the French under-21 side in their 3-2 win over England.

Blasting beyond the goalkeeper after running on to a through ball in behind, Dembele followed it up with a free kick into the top corner. (Daily Record)

Celtic pay double

Celtic pay their players more than double than their Rangers counterparts, according to the 2016 Sporting Intelligence Global Sports Salaries Survey.

The survey polled nearly 10,000 sportsmen from around the world. It states Celtic players receive an annual salary of £717,860, while Rangers’ average basic pay is £316,888. (Daily Record)

Hearts to start new main stand

The first phase of work to construct Hearts’ new £12 million main stand is about to begin. Less than a year from now, a bespoke development with 7290 seats will sit in place of the current 102-year-old stand. Stadium capacity will increase to 20,099, there will be new offices, hospitality lounges, a roof terrace, a directors’ suite, state-of-the-art dressing rooms, media facilities, ticket kiosks and a new Tynecastle Nursery School. (Evening News)

Old Firm should buy lower league clubs

Alex Smith believes Scotland’s grassroots football would be improved by Celtic and Rangers buying clubs in the lower leagues and running them like colt teams.

Smith insists it would benefit the national game by enabling promising young players to play regular first team football. (Evening Times)

Dickov: Scotland boss should be Scottish

Paul Dickov has urged the Scottish FA to avoid any temptation to appoint a foreign manager in the event of Gordon Strachan’s tenure coming to an end in the aftermath of last Friday’s 3-0 defeat by England at Wembley. (The Scotsman)

Nicholas: Strachan needs to go

Charlie Nicholas believes Scotland need to replace Gordon Strachan.

The former Celtic, Arsenal, Aberdeen and Scotland striker believes the national side needs new direction after Friday’s 3-0 defeat to England left hopes of reaching the 2018 World Cup in tatters.

Strachan has yet to reveal whether he plans to step down but Nicholas says there is little point in him staying on, claiming his team’s performances over the past two years have not been “good enough”. (The Scotsman)

Scottish football’s saviour?

Ken Schofield has offered his services to Scottish football, after the 70-year-old Scot made a living transforming the fortunes of European golf and English cricket.

Schofield said he’s desperate to help the national game improve, but doesn’t believe anyone would listen to his ideas. (The Herald)

Davidson close to return

‘Miracle man’ Murray Davidson is close to completing his return from injury just a month after sustaining an ankle fracture.

Tommy Wright hailed the healing powers of his battling midfielder after the latest injury setback. (Various)

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