Rumour Mill: Rangers eye Kranjcar and Cummings | Deila bows out | Joey Barton latest

Rangers linked with Niko Kranjcar and Jason Cummings; Ronny Deila backs Celtic to make it six-in-a-row and Burnley keen on keeping Barton

Jason Cummings, left, and Niko Kranjcar are reported targets for Rangers. Pictures: John Devlin/Getty Images

Rangers prepare bids for Kranjcar and Cummings

RANGERS could be set to splas the cash on Hibs striker Jason Cummings and former Tottenhma midfielder Niko Kranjcar.

Mark Warburton has been warned that Burnley won’t give up Joey Barton easily and could look to Croatian star Krancjar as a potential replacement.

Meanwhile, Kenny Jackett has told Rangers that Kevin McDonald is still in his plans at Wolves. (Various)

Warburton slams Strachan over squad choices

Rangers boss Mark Warburton has criticised Scotland manager Gordon Strachan for his decision not to call up Celtic and Aberdeen players for the upcoming international friendlies.

Aberdeen’s Kenny McLean and Graeme Shinnie have both been omitted from the squad while Charlie Mulgrew is the only inclusion from Celtic, with Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Scott Brown, James Forrest, Stuart Armstrong and Leigh Griffiths all being left out.

He said: “All I heard was Aberdeen and Celtic. So I’m a bit bemused. Any club that could participate in Europe should be dealt exactly the same hand.

“We haven’t had a phone call. And I’ve read the comments about European football. Either Hibs or ourselves will be in Europe. Hearts, I presume, are involved as well.” (Various)

Ronny Deila: Celtic will make it six in a row

Ronny Deila savoured the ideal finale to his managerial tenure at Celtic and expressed his certainty that the team he leaves behind will maintain the club’s domestic dominance by winning a sixth successive title next season. (The Scotsman)

Celtic news in brief

• Scott Brown last night vowed to help Celtic win the Ladbrokes Premiership “next year and the season after” despite the presence of their city rivals Rangers in the top-flight (Herald)

• Former Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk revealed that he remains close with some of old team-mates at Parkhead, noting he’ll be going on holiday with Stefan Johansen this summer

• Jack Aitchison yesterday became Celtic’s youngest ever debutant, then youngest ever goal scorer, at 16 years and 71 days when his side defeated Motherwell in the final game of the season

Burnley hopeful they can keep Barton

Burnley believe they can talk Joey Barton into staying with the club after he was linked with a move to Rangers.

Barton was given a tour of Ibrox and Murray Park as the Light Blues looked to tie up a deal.

Rangers are hoping to ward off suitors by offering the 33-year-old player a lengthy deal, with an option for three years possibly even on the table to compensate for a drop in wages. (Daily Record)

Rangers news in brief

• Rangers are preparing a bid for Scotland midfield star Graeme Dorrans who is currently with Norwich. (Scottish Sun)

• Leaked images purporting to show the Ibrox club’s new strips for the 2016/17 season are doing the rounds on social media. (The Scotsman)

McInnes pays tribute to departing veteran Robson

ABERDEEN manager Derek McInnes paid tribute to departing midfielder Barry Robson.

He said: “Barry, along with Willo Flood, were my most important signings three years ago. We moved out 13 players and brought in five, and those two were pivotal at that time to what we wanted to do, in establishing an identity and getting the kind of people in the building to help us achieve what we wanted to.

“Barry’s influence has been less over the past couple of seasons, but he’s been a fantastic player and he’s always treated his profession properly.” (The Scotsman)

Neilson disputes Dauda red card

ROBBIE Neilson insisted departing Hearts striker Abiola Dauda shouldn’t have been sent off in yesterday’s feisty 2-2 draw with St Johnstone.

The Nigerian forward, who will return to parent club Vitesse Arnhem after a three-and-a-half-month loan stint, was shown a straight red card just before the hour mark after a clumsy tackle on Liam Craig left the Saints players incensed. (Evening News)

Kilmarnock must show character - Slater

CRAIG Slater says Kilmarnock’s under-fire stars now have nowhere to hide.

And the Rugby Park star last night insisted only bravery and character will save their Premiership lives.

Slater and his team are just 180 minutes from crashing into the Championship. (Daily Record)

Stubbs picking up pieces after Falkirk loss

HIBS boss Alan Stubbs will today begin the process of trying to lift his shattered players for Saturday’s Scottish Cup final against Rangers.

He said: “They’ve had a chance to get it out of their system in the last couple of days,” he said. “We’ll see them on Monday and gradually, over the week, we’ll start to pick them up and get them ready for Saturday.

“I’m sure it’s been a tough weekend for them. We’ll pick them up the best we can.” (The Herald)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Inverness boss John Hughes and Dundee counterpart Paul Hartley both placed emphasis on summer recruitment after their two sides clashed in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Saturday

• Hibs midfielder Marvin Bartley has admitteds the players have failed both head coach Alan Stubbs and the fans by failing to win promotion to the Premiership

• Falkirk star Luke Leahy rubbished claims the Bairns could freeze against Kilmarnock, pointing out that the Bairns have not been overawed all season (Daily Record)