Rumour Mill: Ryan Gauld | Celtic

Ryan Gauld has reportedly been the subject of a bid from Manchester United. Picture: SNS

Manchester United ‘offer £3 million’ for Gauld

MANCHESTERUnited have reportedly put in a bid for Dundee United’s highly-rated midfielder Ryan Gauld, according to the Sunday Mirror. It is believed United have offered an initial payment of £3 million to the Terrors, with a pledge to play three pre-season friendlies against the Scottish Premiership side starting in July.

The Tannadice club have valued Gauld at £6 million, and United’s bid falls well below that sum.

Real Madrid and Arsenal have also been linked with the Scotland under-21 midfielder, who turns 18 later this month. (Sunday Mirror)

Lennon: I’ll buy British for Celtic

CELTIC manager Neil Lennon has vowed to ‘buy British’ as he looks to rebuild at Celtic.

The Parkhead boss spent £5.4 million bringing in Amido Balde, Teemu Pukki and Mo Bangura, who are as yet to show any signs of filling the void left by Gary Hooper’s departure and Lennon is anxious to bag a goalscorer.

Lennon attended Burnley’s match away to Huddersfield on Saturday and was rumoured to be casting an eye over 21-year-old forward Danny Ings, who has netted 15 goals for the Clarets this season.

The Celtic boss is also keen to hold onto Georgios Samaras and Joe Ledley, who are both out of contract in the summer. (Sunday Mail)

Hearts ‘budgeting for relegation’ - FoH

FANS’ group Foundation of Hearts have admitted that they are ‘budgeting for relegation’, as they draw up plans allowing for at least one season in Scotland’s second tier.

The group told the Scotland on Sunday that it is ‘imperative that its budgets reflect the current plight of the team and the possibility of rebuilding in the second tier next season’.

FoH chairman Ian Murray MP added: “We wouldn’t have been doing our job properly had we not [looked at relegation]’. (Scotland on Sunday)

Butcher: Cairney red was harsh

HIBS gaffer Terry Butcher has said Paul Cairney’s sending-off in the Easter Road side’s 1-0 cup win over Ross County yesterday was ‘harsh’.

Cairney, who had been booked in the first half by referee Craig Thomson, was booked for simulation after going to ground as he ran through on goal, with the midfielder protesting his innocence as the whistler showed him a second yellow followed by a red.

Butcher - who recorded his first win in Dingwall - said: “Cairney’s second yellow was harsh. He has a big mark on his shin where contact was made.”

County ‘keeper Mark Brown - formerly of Hibs - claimed Thomson was right to send Cairney off, saying: “There wasn’t much contact either way and there’s nothing I could have done but I didn’t touch him. It wasn’t a penalty.” (Sunday Mail)

McCall ‘couldn’t face family’ after Albion Rovers defeat

STUART McCall admitted he couldn’t face his family after Motherwell were dumped out of the Scottish Cup by League Two outfit Albion Rovers, who lie 37 places below the Steelmen.

McCall told STV: “I’ve been very, very fortunate in my life, certainly in my football life for 34 years now, I can’t recall being on the end of an upset anything like that.

“I don’t really fancy going home and speaking to my family or my friends because it’s horrible. There is no getting away from it.”

The victory for Albion Rovers marks their first win against their North Lanarkshire neighbours in 34 attempts. (STV)

Saints could grab silverware, says Stevie May

ST JOHNSTONE striker Stevie May believes the Perthshire side could lift their first major silverware this season, as they dumped Livingston out of the Scottish Cup at McDiarmid Park yesterday.

Sought-after May, who has been the subject of interest from English league sides, could snub a big-money move in order to chase his cup dream with the Saints.

He said: “We have a lot of quality in our team and there is no reason why we can’t get to a cup final and then anything can happen.” (Various)

Rumour Mill: Ryan Gauld | Celtic | Hearts