Rumour Mill: Rangers trio set to leave | Tierney '˜can be new Dalglish'

Both Nicky Law and Nicky Clark are expected to depart Rangers. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Rangers trio set for Ibrox exit

MARK Warburton appears to be already planning for life in the Scottish Premiership, with strong suggestions that Nicky Clark, Dean Shiels and Nicky Law will be allowed to leave Rangers in the summer.

The trio have all featured this season, but have found first-team opportunities limited due to the form of Warburton’s first-choice starting XI.

Clark scored the second goal in the 2-1 cup win over Kilmarnock, but has made fewer than ten appearances while Law and Shiels have also struggled to force their way into Warburton’s plans. (Various)

Deila urges Tierney: Stay at Celtic and be new Dalglish

CELTIC boss Ronny Deila has urged Kieran Tierney to spend at least three more years at Parkhead to ‘fully realise his potential’.

The Norwegian has also claimed the 18-year-old has the ability to be a ‘world class player’, adding: “Kenny Dalglish had a big, big career before as world class player from Scotland.

“It’s true that was 30 years ago, but now Zlatan Ibrahimovic is coming from Sweden. So it’s possible. KT can play at the highest level if he continues to develop. He needs to improve all the time and to do that he has to play.” (The Scotsman)

Izaguirre off to MLS?

EMILIO Izaguirre could be swapping Scotland for the States, with rumours the left back is set to move to MLS in the summer.

The Honduran international, who has been tipped to leave Celtic in the summer and has been displaced in recent weeks by rising talent Kieran Tierney, would join compatriots Maynor Figueroa, Oscar Boniek Garcia, Roger Espinoz, Bryan Rochez and Deybi Flores, who all ply their trade in America. (Various)

Church ‘could stay at Dons’

SIMON Church has dropped hints that he could stay at Aberdeen beyond the end of this season.

The Welsh striker has scored some vital goals for the Dons, and has been a key player with Adam Rooney currently out injured.

Dons boss Derek McInnes said: “There have been no conversations about staying but I always want players who come here to want to hang about a bit longer.” (Press and Journal)

Hibs and Dundee eye Pars midfielder Byrne

DUNDEE boss Paul Hartley is thought to be tracking Dunfermline midfielder Shaun Byrne.

But he could face competition from Hibs, who are also keen on the central midfielder, who turns 23 in June - meaning there would be no need to pay a development fee for the player. (Courier)

Gordon glad of Celtic decision

CRAIG Gordon has admitted he is glad at choosing Celtic over Hearts - and revealed that joining the Parkhead side was about challenging himself.

The Scotland ‘keeper was offered a player-coach role at Hearts, but turned it down to prove to himself he could perform at the highest level after a two-year long injury hell.

Gordon, 33, said: “I knew it would have been an easier decision to join Hearts. But I didn’t want to do that.

“I felt that, if I was going to get back to the top level, Celtic was the best route for me. I wanted to return to the level I was before and to play for Scotland again. If I had dropped down, it might have looked like I had admitted defeat.” (The Scotsman)

Ozturk: No title favouritism at Tynecastle

ALIM Ozturk says no-one at Hearts will be displaying any kind of favouritism as they face the two protagonists in the Premiership title fight within the space of a few days.

Aware that the outcome of the games between themselves and Celtic and Aberdeen could have a massive bearing on who gets to hoist the trophy aloft at the end of the campaign, he says he doesn’t care who wins, he just wants to claim as many scalps as possible and lay down a marker for next season.

“Yes, we can do Aberdeen a big favour this weekend but then we play Aberdeen on Friday so we can do Celtic a favour,” said Ozturk. (The Scotsman)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Scott Robinson, formerly at Hearts and Kilmarnock, has signed for Dunfermline as an amateur after scoring as a trialist in a development league match

• Ex-Rangers midfielder Lewis MacLeod has suffered yet another injury setback, and has played just eight minutes of action for Brentford

• Ronny Deila is hopeful that Tom Rogic and Charlie Mulgrew will agree new deals to stay at Celtic

Rumour Mill: Rangers trio set to leave | Tierney '˜can be new Dalglish' | Izaguirre to MLS?