Rumour Mill: Celtic '˜will sack Deila' | Hearts take striker on trial | Stubbs still to choose semi-final goalie

CELTIC legend Frank McAvennie believes his old club have already decided to get rid of manager Ronny Deila.

McAvennie has backed Celtic to beat Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi final but said: “The decision’s already been made [on Deila], don’t you think? To me there are three people who can make the decision – Dermot Desmond, Peter Lawwell and the supporters.

“He’s got to change the way he plays. I just don’t understand this one up front in Scottish football. I can understand it in Europe but against teams in Scotland, especially at Celtic Park, play two up front and get the fans back.” (The Scotsman)

Todorov on trial at Hearts

HEARTS have taken Bulgarian striker Nikolay Todorov on trial.

The 19-year-old forward looks likely to be released by Nottingham Forest, and Neilson - who lost striker Osman Sow in the January transfer window and has been without Soufiane El Hassnaoui for most of the season is looking to bolster his attacking options, with Abiola Dauda’s loan spell up in the summer. (Scottish Sun)

Stubbs undecided over goalie

ALAN Stubbs is still to decide who will start in goal for Hibs in tomorrow’s semi final clash against Dundee United.

First choice ‘keeper Mark Oxley is suspended, and with Development League goalie Sean Brennan unlikely to be thrown in at the deep end, Stubbs has to choose between Otso Virtanen and Conrad Logan.

Stubbs said: “Whoever it is going to be, whether it is Otso or whether it is Conrad, it will be down to what we feel is the right decision on the day.” (The Scotsman)

Warburton ‘must stop 10-in-a-row’ warns Smith

NINE-in-a-row Rangers
manager Walter Smith has warned current Ibrox boss Mark Warburton that he has to stop rivals Celtic reaching a record ten successive titles.

Smith believes that the pressure from supporters will be on from the moment Rangers make their top-flight return in August.

He said: “I hear people saying that they have got time, but I’m afraid time and patience were never virtues that Rangers supporters were blessed with in particular. So not only have you to go in and do well, you’ve to stop Celtic getting that nine-in-a-row, towards ten-in-a-row, dare I say it.” (The Scotsman)

Dundee ‘haven’t offered deals’ to duo

DUNDEE have revealed that new deals have not been offered to defensive duo Thomas Konrad and Kosta Gadzhalov.

Right back Paul McGinn has been offered a new contract but is yet to put pen to paper and ex-Hibs captain James McPake has also signed on for another year.

Julen Etxabeguren and Darren O’Dea also have two and three years remaining at Dens Park respectively. (Evening Telegraph)