A select round-up of the latest news involving Mark Warburton’s Glasgow Rangers and Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops.
Scott Sinclair has been the subject of three bids from Celtic
Roberto Di Matteo has informed Brendan Rodgers that Aston Villa are in no rush to sell Scott Sinclair to Celtic so they can forget about doing a cut-price deal for the winger, the Daily Mail reports.
The Hoops have seen three bids rejected for the 27-year-old – the highest of which was £2.2m – as the Villains hold out for between £5m and £6m.
Patrick Roberts
In other news at Parkhead, Patrick Roberts has admitted to the Evening Times that he is always on at Brendan Rodgers because of his desperation to be in the side.
“He [Rodgers] has a lot of players to choose from but I’m always ready and waiting and always at him to play but all I can do is all I can do,” he told the Evening Times.
The 19-year-old – who is currently on loan with the Bhoys from Manchester City – demonstrated what he can do once again on Wednesday as he scored Celtic’s third goal in their 3-0 win over Lincoln Red Imps.
Rangers manager Mark Warburton
Mark Warburton has insisted that Rangers will not be drawn into panic buying as they continue their preparations for life back in the Scottish Premiership, the Daily Record reports.
The Record claims that the Gers want a new centre-back, but Warburton has explained that they will not be paying over the odds for one.
“I think people are now starting to panic and Rangers can’t be drawn into that. We can’t be drawn into a panic buy,” he told the Record.
“If it adds value, we will make a move, but we won’t be drawn into an auction because we will lose that.”
Part of the reason that Warburton is confident about the Light Blues not getting involved in any auctions for players appears to be that he is very happy with the nine signings he has already made this summer, the Evening Times reports.
Reflecting on the deals the club have already done, he has admitted that he is pleased with the balance within the squad.
“To get the players in that we have is really pleasing. I think we’ve got a nice balance of maturity, experience and ruggedness with the young talents like Jordan Rossiter, Matt Crooks, Josh Windass and Joe Dodoo, so we’re delighted,” he told the Evening Times.
Joey Barton
Of all the new arrivals through the door at Ibrox this summer, Joey Barton is perhaps the one that is expected to make the biggest impact in the immediate future having inspired Burnley to promotion last season. And speaking to the Daily Mail, Matt Gilks has backed him to replicate that form for his new club.
“He was outstanding,” he told the Mail. “He will probably do the same here as he did at Burnley.
“I was telling the lads, because he didn’t come to America, that he will raise standards. He will come in and demand in training.”
Finally, Massimo Donati has been reflecting upon his time at Celtic after completing his move to Hamilton, the Daily Record reports.
The Italian spent two years with the Hoops and explained that his new club boasts some similarities with his old side.
“I had a very good two years with Celtic, I love people here, I love life here – apart from the weather,” he told the Record.
“Hamilton is a smaller team, but a similar club to Celtic, in that it’s family-orientated.”
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