Rumour Mill: Ryan Gauld to Celtic?

Ryan Gauld made a multi-million pound move to Sporting Lisbon from Dundee United last year. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Ryan Gauld linked with Celtic loan deal

Portuguese newspaper O Jogo have linked Celtic with a move for former Dundee United star and current Sporting Lisbon youngster Ryan Gauld.

The 19-year-old made a £3million switch last summer but has featured only a handful of times for the first team so far and it is understood his club are keen to get him more experience.

Gauld is reportedly unwilling to return to his former club because of United’s current struggles, but O Jogo believes he’d be open to a switch to Celtic, so long as Sporting got assurances he’d play regular first-team football. (O Jogo)

Rangers set to clinch deal for Gedion Zelalem

Mark Warburton will enrich his squad by completing a loan deal for exciting Arsenal prospect Gedion Zelalem in the next 24 hours but insists the spat with Alan Stubbs over the spending power of Rangers will have no bearing on tomorrow’s showdown with Hibernian.

Zelalem, just 18, is being tipped to burst into the Arsenal first team next season having already had a taste of Champions League football with the Gunners last November.

Warburton is delighted Arsene Wenger has trusted him to continue the development of the midfielder who was born in Germany to Ethiopian parents but was brought up in the USA and has committed to their international set-up. Zelalem joins recently-recruited Tottenham pair Nathan Oduwa and Dominic Ball but he will not be involved tomorrow against Hibs – even if the paperwork is completed. (The Scotsman)

Stubbs’ joy as Hibs finally sign Dylan McGeouch

Hibernian last night announced the signing of Dylan McGeouch from Celtic for an undisclosed fee.

The midfielder spent most of last season on loan at Easter Road and had been expected to make the switch permanent as part of the deal in which Scott Allan left Hibs for Celtic.

However, the Allan move was concluded last week with only teenager Liam Henderson joining Hibs from Celtic on a season-long loan. Negotiations continued through the week with McGeouch and a deal was finally concluded yesterday for the Scotland under-21 international who has agreed a three-year contract. (The Scotsman)

Celtic to give James Forrest new contract

James Forrest is set to be handed a new contract at Celtic Park after a dazzling set of performances in recent weeks impressed manager Ronny Deila.

The flying winger has suffered through a spate of injury problems in recent years but finally seems to be hitting full fitness and it’s showing in his play.

He received unanimous praise for his performance against Malmo in the Champions League qualifier, something which gave his boss immense satisfaction.

“I was so happy and pleased with him,” said Deila. “We saw his potential and I told him in November that the Champions League qualification this year was when he was hopefully going to be the difference for us because he has something special. (Evening Times)

Celtic are lions, not pigs, insists Ronny Deila

Ronny Deila has hit back at Malmö coach Age Hareide and his team, who have been very critical of his players in the wake of Celtic’s 3-2 victory in the first leg of their Champions League play-off at Parkhead on Wednesday.

“They are pigs, all of them: that’s the way it is,” claimed Wiland, while team-mate Rasmus Bengtsson accused the home side of being more interested in sledging than in playing football.

Celtic manager Deila, though, was having none of it, arguing that his players belong higher up the food chain. (The Scotsman)

Rangers’ Warburton wants to move on from Stubbs row

Rangers boss Mark Warburton moved to draw a line under his spat with Alan Stubbs ahead of Hibernian’s visit to Ibrox on Sunday.

The Hibs boss had riled the Englishman earlier in the week by claiming Warburton had a ‘very easy’ job rebuilding the Ibrox club following its failure to get out of the Ladbrokes Championship last season. (The Scotsman)

Saints to find out Coventry’s Swanson decision

Coventry boss Tony Mowbray will make a decision on whether to allow winger Danny Swanson to join St Johnstone on loan in the next couple of days.

The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season at the Perth club and manager Tommy Wright is keen to welcome him into the squad once more.

Mowbray insisted earlier this summer he wanted to observe the player but sanctioning any such move. (The Courier)

Rumour Mill: Ryan Gauld to Celtic? | Gedion Zelalem