Rumour Mill: Scott McDonald facing ban | Ronny Deila faces axe if Rangers win

MOTHERWELL'S Scott McDonald waits to find out if he will be banned after elbowing Coll Donaldson; '˜dead man walking' Ronny Deila should go if Rangers beat Celtic; plus more news and gossip in Sunday's Rumour Mill
Scott McDonald. Picture: Alan WatsonScott McDonald. Picture: Alan Watson
Scott McDonald. Picture: Alan Watson

Scott McDonald facing ban over elbow incident

Motherwell’s Scott McDonald is facing a possible ban after an incident with Dundee United’s Coll Donaldson.

SPA compliance officer Tony McGlennan will rule on whether McDonald is guilty of deliberately elbowing the defender in the face on Friday night.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The incident has been subject to endless replays after referee Crawford Allan missed it.

United manager Mixu Paatelainen waded in saying, “I don’t want to shout red cards for a player but there’s no question it is a high elbow straight to Donaldson’s face.” (Sun on Sunday)

Alan Thompson: Loss to Rangers would be end of Deila

Former Celtic midfielder and coach Alan Thompson reckons Ronny Deila is a dead man walking as the Hoops face Rangers in the Scottish Cup next month.

Thompson - who holds the Old Firm derby record for the number of times sent off - says Deila’s position as manager would be untenable if Celtic lose to their lower league rivals.

He said: “The manager is under enough pressure as it is due to the league situation. If he is still here and he doesn’t win that game then that must be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. It would be unimaginable that they lose that game.”

Callum McGregor: Goal was for Deila

Celtic’s Callum McGregor thanked Ronny Deila on Saturday night for standing by him after his drink-drive ban.

The 22-year-old made a stunning return to the Celtic squad, scoring in a 2 - 1 win over Partick Thistle.

Convicted last month, McGregor was nearly four times over the legal limit when he was caught behind the wheel. (Sunday Mail)

Deila: Win-all mentality killing off Scottish talent

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ronny Deila has said he would like Premiership clubs to be able to field second sides in lower divisions like in Spain.

The Celtic boss believes the Scottish system is stiffling talent and progress, with a lack of young players readily available for Scotland national team duties.

He also said Scottish football’s ‘win-at-all-costs mentality’ is killing off talent. (Sunday Express)

Alan Stubbs hopes to do his father proud

Hibs manager Alan Stubbs is hoping to do his late father proud as his squad face Ross County in the Scottish League Cup final.

Stubbs says occasions like cup finals gives players and managers the chance to give something back to families, adding: ““I’m the same as every other player. Everyone will have family or a friend who they may think about. Hopefully I’ll be thinking about my dad at the end of the game having done him proud.” (Scotland on Sunday)

Hearts get second chance for second place

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson has insisted the Tynecastle outfit have earned a reprieve and can still catch Aberdeen for second place.

Racking up another three points on Saturday against Dundee, Neilson is positive that his side can keep up the pressure on the Dons.

He said: “Our aim is simple - we need to try and catch Aberdeen. We are nine points behind them but we have a game in hand and still have to play them twice.” (Sun on Sunday)

Missed chances annoyed Ronny Deila

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Celtic boss Ronny Deila believes his side’s win against Partick Thistle should have been more comfortable.

Despite a 2 - 1 victory, the Norwegian was left frustrated at times by his side’s performance against the Jags.

He said: “The decisions in the first half, they went the other way. We got two players books which was ridiculous. So I was very surprised to see the penalty - we haven’t had one in a year-and-a-half.” (Sunday Express)

NEWS IN BRIEF:

• Gordon Strachan admits Scotland will have to unearth new superstars to gain an edge against other Euro countries. (Sunday Express)

• Blackburn Rovers striker Tony Watt has vowed to repay national coach Gordon Strachan for his surprise Scotland call up. (Sunday Mail)

• Rafael Benitez has negotiated a break clause in his contract with Newcastle United should they be relegated at the end of the season. (Sunday Mirror)

SCOTSMAN SPORT ON SOCIAL MEDIA: