Rumour Mill: Brugge want Nir Bitton | Celtic | Rangers

BELGIAN outfit Club Brugge are looking to swoop on Celtic’s Nir Bitton with a player swop deal.

Brugge were reportedly preparing a £1.2 million bid for Bitton at the end of April - double the amount Celtic paid for the Israeli midfielder two years ago.

Boss Michel Preud’homme is now considering a player-plus-cash bid for the 23-year-old Hoops star.

While his goal against Dundee on Friday was sure to impress and up the stakes, Celtic manager Ronny Deila has yet to express any interest in letting Bitton go. (The Scottish Sun)

Scott Brown wants 10 in a row

Celtic skipper Scott Brown has revealed he is not fazed by the prospect of Rangers returning to the top flight - he just wants to secure 10 titles in a row for the Parkhead side.

The 29-year-old captain reportedly wants to see out his career at Celtic with a view to winning another six titles having marked his fourth successive title win with the club on Saturday. It was his fifth title in total. (The Scotsman)

- Brown insisted he did not miss the Old Firm rivalry, saying: “Not in the slightest. If it comes back it comes back, but it it doesn’t then it doesn’t.

“We will see what happens. It will be hard for whoever comes up. Hibs have got two or three weeks off so they will need to keep training and playing bounce games.” (Daily Record)

Rangers mental block about Palmerston plastic pitch

Rangers manager Stuart McCall insists his side do not have a pyschological problem with Queen of the South’s plastic pitch.

The Ibrox squad have lost on their last two visits to Palmerston and have reportedly made no secret of their dislike of the plastic surface.

Queen of the South striker Gavin Reilly has said he thinks it will pose a mental block to Rangers ahead of the first leg of the play offs on Saturday.

Reilly said: “The fact they keep mentioning the pitch is an advantage. It puts them on a negative already.

“It is already in their mindset whereas we are used to it. We can use that as a positive.” (Daily Record)

Kris Commons: Treble remains the goal

Celtic have been desperate to win the Treble since he arrived, says Parkhead star Kris Commons.

The 32-year-old midfielder candidly told press at the launch of Celtic’s new strip that it is the club’s target for next year, having missed out this season under Ronny Deila and also under Neil Lennon’s regime.

He said: “I am in my fifth season here and ever since I walked in the door there has been talk of us winning a Treble, and that is something we are desperate to do. It is going to be high on our agenda.” (Evening Times)

Jackie McNamara heaps praise on teen star

Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara has reportedly heaped praise on teenager John Souttar as a star in the making after impressing during the side’s 1 - 0 victory over the Dons last weekend.

McNamara said: “John is no stranger to the big games but in a new position he has been excellent.

“I’m delighted for him because he was fantastic.

“The biggest compliment I can pay him is that he looks like he’s been playing there for years.” (Evening Telegraph)

IN BRIEF:

• Bookies have tipped Gus McPherson as the favourite to become the new manager at Dunfermline. (The Scotsman)

• PFA Scotland Manager of the Year John Hughes has said being sacked by Hibs in 2011 helped make him the manager he is today. (The Scottish Sun)