Rumour Mill: Waghorn confronts young fan | Joey Barton returns | Daniel Prodan | Mourinho wants Dembele
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Waghorn confronts fan
Martyn Waghorn has been filmed confronting a young fan in the street after the teenager called him “s***e”.
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Hide AdThe Rangers striker had picked up something to eat at a Fish & Chips shop when the youngster shouted at him. Waghorn walked around to meet his adversary, saying “come say it to my face then”, which the young fan duly did before Waghorn walked off. (Various)
Barton returns
Joey Barton has returned to Glasgow to face his SFA hearing for betting offences.
The ex-Rangers midfielder has been charged with betting on 44 matches. He’s decided to face the charge and could likely get a one or two match suspension. (Daily Record)
Prodan dies
Former Rangers defender Daniel Prodan has reportedly died of a sudden heart attack aged 44.
The news has been reported in his native Romania. Prodan joined Rangers in 1998 in £2.2million but didn’t play due to a knee injury. (Daily Record)
Mourinho wants Dembele
Manchester United sent scouts to watch Moussa Dembele on Monday as the Celtic striker bagged two goals for France under-21s in their 3-2 victory over England.
United boss Jose Mourinho is said to be an admirer of the forward and could make a January move for his services. (Daily Mail)
Smith backs Strachan
Former Scotland manager Walter Smith yesterday joined the ranks of high-profile figures calling for current boss Gordon Strachan to be given more time to turn the team’s World Cup qualifying campaign around.
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Hide AdThe former Rangers manager, however, admitted that a continuation of current form in next year’s ties cannot be tolerated.
The backing Strachan has received both from within his squad and the wider football community is understood to be edging him towards staying on in the wake of Friday’s 3-0 Wembley defeat to England. (The Scotsman)
Fontaine keen to stay
Hibs defender Liam Fontaine today revealed he would love to extend his stay at the club beyond the end of this season and help bring more success back to Easter Road.
The 30-year-old, who has started the last four matches for Neil Lennon’s side following a ten-week spell on the sidelines due to a calf injury, is just one of a host of first-team regulars whose contract expires next May. (Evening News)
Rodgers: Scots need reality check
Brendan Rodgers believes Scottish football supporters should lower their expectations of an international team which he says is both tactically and technically deficient.
The Celtic manager was a spectator at Wembley last Friday night for Scotland’s 3-0 World Cup qualifying defeat by England which prompted the latest round of angst-ridden inquests into the state of the game in this country. (The Scotsman)
Bitton given reprieve
Nir Bitton has been given a reprieve by Israel after manager Elisha Levy performed a U-turn on his decision to never play the Celtic midfielder again.
Bitton was banished from the squad for reportedly refusing to take part in training, with the Israel FA releasing a statement he wouldn’t play for the national team again as long as Levy was the coach. (Daily Express)
Luxembourg eye Scotland
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Hide AdLuxembourg are pushing Scotland for an international friendly fixture because they believe they can defeat Gordon Strachan’s side.
The minnows are looking to boost their Fifa ranking and are eyeing teams ahead of them in the table who they believe are beatable. Scotland were mentioned in the same sentence as Cyprus and Lithuania by Luxembourg boss Luc Holtz. (The Sun)
Rodgers blasts Friday game
Brendan Rodgers says it’s “ridiculous” that his side have been scheduled to play a Friday night fixture so soon after an international break.
Celtic take on Kilmarnock this Friday, which comes right after 14 of the club’s first-team players were away representing their country. (Daily Record)
Hearts to sign Akers
Hearts will sign former Reading winger Zidan Akers in January after agreeing contract terms to bring him to Scotland.
The 17-year-old Englishman has been training at Riccarton for several weeks and scored for Hearts Under-20s against St Mirren on Monday. Akers will formally sign once an international transfer certificate has been granted by Fifa, which cannot happen until he turns 18 next month. Hearts will then register him with the Scottish Football Association when the transfer window opens in January and he will join the club’s under-20 squad. (Evening News)