Rumour Mill: Rodgers coy over Celtic link | Bougherra eyes Gers return

Brendan Rodgers was coy over talk linking him to Celtic. Picture: Getty Images

Rodgers coy over Celtic talk

Ex-Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he wishes to get back into management this summer, and has said that Celtic is an “incredible club” which many in his family support.

The Northern Irishman has been unemployed since being let go by Liverpool last October and has previously managed Swansea, Watford and Reading.

Rodgers hinted: “Obviously the league hasn’t been so competitive but it’s a club that’s one of the great iconic ones in the world. I’ll be sad to see him [Ronny Deila] go but it’s an opportunity for somebody to go to a great club.” (Daily Mail)

Bougherra begs Rangers for return

MADJID Bougherra has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Rangers, with the Algerian stopper keen on rejoining the Ibrox side.

The 33-year-old defender is nearing the end of his contract with United Arab Emirates club Al Fujairah, and said: “Rangers are a club I love as I had some great times with them.

“I want to rejoin them as they are back in the top flight. There has not been any official contact but if Rangers make an approach for me I won’t say no.” (Daily Record)

Tierney wants to stay at Celtic

KIERAN Tierney has called it a “dream” to be playing first-team football for the club he has supported since he was a child and the 18-year-old Celtic defender made it perfectly clear he has no intention of playing for anyone else.

He said: “I need to realise how lucky I am to be in this position and I try my best every day to be so grateful for it. When you are a wee guy, you want to grow up and become a Celtic legend. I just hope I can keep on playing for Celtic. That’s all I want.” (The Scotsman)

Templeton set for Bradford switch

RANGERS winger David Templeton could be a Bradford player by next season with the 27-year-old almost certain to leave Ibrox in the summer.

The ex-Hearts wide man has had an injury-ravaged season but his stats of 26 goals in 49 appearances for the Gers have caught other clubs’ eye.

And the Bantams could make a move if Templeton can prove his fitness after knee surgery. (Scottish Sun)

Mixu: I’m the man to revive United

MIXU Paatelainen has vowed to revive Dundee United after their relegation was confirmed last night.

United lost 2-1 to city rivals Dundee at Dens Park, and Paatelainen hit out at predecessor Jackie McNamara as well as the ‘soft’ players in the United ranks.

He said: “The plan is already there. Only a fool would put that knowledge to waste. I haven’t considered leaving. I don’t give up. The ship was sinking when I arrived – that’s why there was a change in manager.” (Various)

Celtic to launch Belfast academy

CELTIC will officially open their Belfast academy later this month at Cliftonville’s Solitude stadium.

The academy will see Celtic work alongside the Kix4Kidz organisation, which has more than 400 children aged between 5 and 12 signed up across Belfast.

The idea came about after a chance meeting between Kix4Kidz chief Marty Lavery and ex-Celtic boss Neil Lennon in Barcelona. (Irish News)

McKinnon and Cummings continue spat

AFTER Hibs striker Jason Cummings claimed that Raith Rovers would be ‘scared’ to face the Edinburgh side, Rovers manager Ray McKinnon has branded Cummings ‘irrelevant’.

Cummings fancies his team’s chances to progress through the play-offs to meet Falkirk ahead of Raith, but McKinnon has ruled this out.

He said: “We’ll do our talking out on the park. That’s where it needs to be done. We’ve got good characters in that dressing room. Strong players.

“They’ll be motivated to win the game for themselves and not because of what Jason Cummings says. He’s irrelevant to us.” (Scottish Sun)

Hibs can handle play-off pressure - Stubbs

HIBS head coach Alan Stubbs believes his players have what it takes to cope with the pressure and the workload of the play-offs, as six games stand between Hibs and the Premiership.

The team will also have to contend with a Scottish Cup Final against Rangers. Stubbs added: “We dealt with pressure going into making sure we were in a position to get into the play-offs. We did that a considerable amount of time ago. We dealt with pressure in getting to both finals.” (Press and Journal)

Celtic unveil Dafabet as new main sponsor

CELTIC have announced a bumper tie-up with Dafabet, which will see the betting firm become the club’s main sponsor from the start of the 2016/17 campaign.

The firm already enjoys a partnership with the Parkhead side as the club’s International Betting Partner, and replaces Magners as the club’s main sponsor after three years.(The Scotsman)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Police Scotland confiscated a cardboard Dundee United coffin made by Dundee FC supporters ahead of last night’s derby, which saw United relegated to the Championship

• Leigh Griffiths is waiting to find out if he will miss the final game of the season against Motherwell, after a clash with Hearts’ John Souttar on Saturday took him to six cautions for the season

• Mark Warburton reckons 36-year-old striker Kenny Miller could have five years left in him

• Hearts have unveiled plans for a £12m stadium revamp with ‘no bank debt’, boosting Tynecastle’s capacity to just shy of 21,000

Rumour Mill: Rodgers coy over Celtic link | Bougherra eyes Gers return | Tierney going nowhere