Rumour Mill: Rangers keen on Serge Atakayi | Espanyol in Â£6m bid for Bitton

Serge Atakayi will spend time training with Rangers this week. Picture: ffjaro.fi

Rangers and Leicester keen on Serge Atakayi

RANGERS are hoping to beat Leicester to the signing of Finnish starlet Serge Atakayi.

The 17-year-old, who plays as a winger for FF Jaro, spent time training with the Foxes and Fulham earlier this year but has been watched by Rangers Academy boss Alan Boyd, and Atakayi is set to spend a few days training with Mark Warburton’s men this week.

The Congo-born wideman can play on either flank and made his debut as a 16-year-old. (Daily Mail)

Celtic ‘aware’ of Espanyol bid for Bitton

SPANISH side Espanyol have made a bid of £6 million for Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton, according to reports in Israel.

Celtic denied that the La Liga side - backed by Chinese investors - had made a serious bid, but confirmed that they were aware of interest in the 24-year-old.

Bitton has previously been a target for clubs in England and was reportedly priced at £10 million by Celtic earlier this year. He signed a new deal in November last year keeping him at Parkhead until 2020. (Daily Express)

Commons ‘will snub Hibs’ to stay at Celtic

KRIS Commons will reportedly snub a reunion with former boss Neil Lennon at Hibs and will instead fight for his place at Celtic.

Rumours about Commons heading east have been gathering pace over the past week, but the former Derby attacker - who was told ‘shape up or ship out’ by Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers - looks set to stay at Celtic. (Various)

Warburton ‘will sign new deal soon’

RANGERS boss Mark Warburton has said that he is ready to put pen to paper on a new Ibrox deal.

The ex-Brentford boss, whose current contract runs until summer 2018, hinted that he could sign off on a new contract once the Gers return from their pre-season jaunt in the US.

Warburton said: “We had opened discussions, then I went on holiday. We will re-open these discussions when we go back and hopefully reach a suitable conclusion.” (Scottish Sun)

Accies to run rule over Donati

HAMILTON will this week run the rule over former Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati as Martin Canning looks to bolster his squad.

The 35-year-old will train with Accies this week after his contract with Italian side Bari ran out in the summer.

And Donati, who played for Celtic during the 2007/08 season, has joined Hamilton on their pre-season trip to Spain and despite offers from around Europe, is keen on a return to Scotland. (Scottish Sun)

Niguez keen on Rangers return

FORMER Rangers loanee Aaron Niguez has expressed a wish to return to Rangers, and reckons he’d be an important addition to the club.

The former Valencia starlet told the Scottish Sun that he has fond memories of his time in Scotland as a 19-year-old.

Now 27 and at Portuguese outfit Braga, Niguez said: “My experience in Scotland was a really positive one. I’d love to return to Rangers. The fans were great with me. I think I could be an important addition to the squad. I hope that one day I can go back to the blue sea of Ibrox.” (Scottish Sun)

Lennon takes aim at McDonald - again

NEIL Lennon has ripped into Scott McDonald again, claiming the striker is being economical with the truth over contract talks with Hibs.

An irked Lennon said: “He’s been really economical with the truth. First of all, we did not approach him, he approached Hibs. He approached me saying he wanted to come here and work with me.

“I came in on the Wednesday and there was no sign of him. Graeme [Mathie, Hibs head of recruitment] told me McDonald wanted to renegotiate and I said ‘No. Deal’s off’. I told the agent to tell the player the deal is off and that’s the end of it.

“Enough was enough. It was us who pulled the plug on it, not him.” (Evening News)

Dons sign Celtic starlet Antoniazzi

ABERDEEN have brought in former Dons academy player Chris Antoniazzi from Celtic, with the attacking midfielder expected to join up with Paul Sheerin’s Under-20s at Pittodrie.

Sheerin said: “We are all looking forward to welcoming Chris to the squad tomorrow. As he played before with a number of the boys in the Youth Academy, I am sure he will settle in very quickly and hit the ground running.” (Press & Journal)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Celtic youngster Paul McMullan has joined Dunfermline on a season-long loan as part of the deal that saw PJ Crossan join the Hoops

• Hibs defender Jordon Forster has vowed to use the disappointment of missing out on the Scottish Cup final as inspiration as he looks to help the Easter Road side back to the Premiership

• West Brom have agreed a £5.5 million fee with QPR for Scotland international Matt Phillips

Rumour Mill: Rangers keen on Serge Atakayi | Espanyol in Â£6m bid for Bitton | Commons '˜will snub Hibs'