Rumour Mill: Rangers should consider McInnes, says Smith | Hibs '˜Jekyll and Hyde' | Caixinha '˜willing to pay £300,000 to become Ibrox boss'

The vacant manager's job at Ibrox continues to dominate the back pages this morning, while Celtic are already preparing for next season's campaign.

Walter Smith has backed Derek McInnes as a potential new manager of Rangers. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Ibrox board should call McInnes, says Smith

Walter Smith believes Derek McInnes would be a better bet as new Rangers boss than Pedro Caixinha.

The Ibrox legend said it would be wrong if the Gers board did not approach McInnes to gauge his interest.

Smith signed McInnes as a player and has been impressed with his record as a manager at Aberdeen.

Rangers have been linked with Portuguese coach Caixinha, but face competition from several other clubs. (Scotland on Sunday)

Caixinha ready to shell out to secure Rangers job

Pedro Caixinha could be forced to pay £300,000 out of his own pocket to secure the Ibrox hotseat.

The Portuguese coach is understood to be negotiating is release from Qatari side Al-Gharafa, where he still has four months left on a £2m-a-year contract.

The club are reluctant to see Caixinha leave and could force him to pay up the remainder of his contract in return for his release.

The coach is expected in Glasgow for talks by Wednesday at the latest. (Sunday Mail)

Craig Gordon’s new Celtic deal ‘almost over the line’

Brendan Rodgers’ vision for Celtic appears set to be given another boost with reports yesterday that Craig Gordon has reached agreement on a new three-and-a-half year contract.

The deal, which will be on significantly increased terms, will tie the keeper to the Scottish champions until the summer of 2020 after a protracted period of uncertainty over his future. (Scotland on Sunday)

Lennon: Hibs must focus on winning promotion

Neil has admitted the Jekyll and Hyde nature of his Hibs team is “driving him mental”. The Hibees reached the Scottish Cup semi-finals for the fifth time in the last six seasons yesterday thanks to a 3-1 win over Ayr United at Easter Road.

But Lennon’s men have endured a sticky spell in the Championship title race, losing to St Mirren midweek and failing to beat Dunfermline and Raith in their previous league meetings.

The Hibs boss is now telling his players to forget about the cup and concentrate on their forthcoming meeting with Dundee United at Tannadice. (Scottish Mail on Sunday)

Rodgers thanks Celtic fans for showing patience

Brendan Rodgers has thanked Celtic fans for their “huge” support in his first season in charge at Parkhead.

The Northern Irishman has enjoyed a near-perfect start to his career in Scotland, with his side on course for a clean sweep of domestic trophies.

But the Celts boss admitted his team often come aginst determined opponents content to sit with 11 men behind the ball, forcing his players to find ways around them.

He added he believes the club’s fans appreciate his system and the style of football has brought to the club. (Scottish Mail on Sunday)

Joe Garner ‘should be a cage fighter’

Dougie Imrie has hit out at Joe Garner after being on the receiving end of a wild challenge in yesterday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox. The Hamilton Accies star escaped serious injury but claimed the tackle from Garner was a potential “leg-breaker”.

He added: “Garner is just on the park, it’s three minutes into the second half. I don’t know if we’re in the UFC, are we in the UFC?”

Garner went on to score a hat-trick in the 6-0 win for the Ibrox men. (Scotland on Sunday)