Neil Lennon has insisted that Celtic ‘are not a stepping stone’ following Olivier Ntcham’s comments to the French media, Steven Gerrard has warned his players that Daniel Candeias will not be the last big-name player to miss out on Rangers’ European squad and ex-Leeds striker Noel Whelan reckons that Kemar Roofe’s ‘head has been turned’ by Rangers.
Lennon set for talks with Ntcham
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has admitted that he is ‘not happy’ with midfielder Olivier Ntcham after the Frenchman gave an interview to the French media, where the 23-year-old suggested that he was treating the club as a stepping stone. Lennon said: “We are not happy about his comments. As a club as a whole, and the other players, we are not happy with how he’s portrayed the club. We are not a stepping stone for anybody.”
Candeias dropped from Rangers’ European squad
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has insisted that Daniel Candeias won’t be the last big name to miss out in the Europa League for Rangers after he was overlooked for the qualifier with St Joseph’s tonight. “Daniel has been left out of this squad but he won’t be the first and he won’t be the last big name to be left out,” said Gerrard. “As the weeks go by I’ll have to make big calls and leave out big players, who are good players, but we hope it’s going to be a 60 game season.”
Gerrard dismisses Newcastle link
The Daily Record are reporting that Gerrard has refuted suggestions that he could replace Rafa Benitez at Newcastle, dismissing the reports as ‘fake news’.
Lennon: Reaching Champions League group stage is like ‘winning a trophy’
Ahead of tonight’s Champions League qualifier against Sarajevo, Neil Lennon has underlined how difficult it is to reach the group stages and suggested that doing so is akin to winning a trophy. Lennon said: “I think getting to the group stage is as good as winning a trophy. It is so fraught, so difficult to negotiate. There is so much to cope with. This is one of the toughest challenges as Celtic manager.”
Whelan: Rangers target’s head has been turned
Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan says that the Elland Road club’s forward Kemar Roofe has ‘had his head turned’ by ‘a huge contract offer from Rangers’. The Scottish Sun are reporting that Rangers will make a move for Roofe if the club decide to sell Alfredo Morelos, and Whelan believes that Roofe would be interested in the move.
Hibs’ Heckingbottom targets more signings
Hibernian manager Paul Heckingbottom is targeting ‘one or two’ more signings this summer and said he would be disappointed if he does not finish his work in the transfer market soon. “We’re still weak in certain positions, so I still want to get players in,” said Heckingbottom. “And I’d be disappointed if it took as long as the end of the transfer window. We’re still looking at McNulty and Omeonga.”
Levein ‘worried’ about Haring’s fitness
Hearts boss Craig Levein has admitted that he could be forced to dip into the transfer market following concerns over Peter Haring’s fitness. Levein said: “Peter is progressing, but slowly. I knew I was taking a bit of a risk by playing him in the Scottish Cup final but I thought it would settle down over the summer; however, he still feels something and we are taking a wee backwards step before we push on again.”
Oxford ‘keen’ on Findlay
Kilmarnock defender Stuart Findlay could be on his way to Oxford United, according to reports in the Scottish Sun. Findlay is contracted at Rugby Park until 2021 and the Sun are reporting that ‘the two clubs are edging closer to an agreement’ for the centre-back.
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