Rumour Mill: Scott Brown | Dorin Goian

Scott Brown: Hit out at SPL for potentially ruining title party. Picture: SNS

CELTIC captain Scott Brown has slammed the SPL for potentially spoiling his side’s title party, while Michael Laudrup blames “politics” for moves to block the Old Firm’s English ambitions

Scott Brown slams ‘silly’ SPL fixtures

Celtic captain Scott Brown has slammed the SPL after claiming that “silly” fixture scheduling could mean that the Parkhead club win the league title without kicking a ball.

Celtic only need a point against Sunday opponents Inverness Caledonian Thistle to clinch the SPL crown, but if Motherwell fail to beat Dundee United tonight then Celtic will become champions.

“The main thing is it could be won on Friday night and we could all be sitting in the house having won the leaguek,” Brown said, “so Sunday would be a pointless game at the end of the day.”

He added: “It’s kind of silly really. They knew that was going to happen and they’ve put a game on on Friday and our game is on Sunday and nobody knows why.” (The Scotsman)

Steaua to tempt Rangers’ Dorin Goian

Steaua Bucharest have signalled their intent to bid for Rangers defender Dorin Goian in the summer. Goian, currently on loan at Italian Serie B outfit Spezia, played at Steaua for four years before leaving in 2009.

Steaua manager Laurentiu Reghecampf said: “The hope is to bring in more experienced players next season and guys like Goian were part of this club when it was achieving great things.”

Goian, one of the highest earners on the Ibrox wage bill, is likely to be allowed to leave if a firm bid comes in for the Romanian international, who has just over one year left on his contract. (Daily Express)

Michael Laudrup: Politics hampering Old Firm switch to England

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup has blamed politics for moves to prevent Rangers and Celtic joining the English Premier League. Laudrup, whose brother Michael became a legend at Rangers after a four-year spell, questioned why Welsh teams such as Cardiff and his own side could play in England while the Old Firm could not.

“It’s a football political thing. I’m a foreigner and have been here in England less than a year so I don’t know te background to why Welsh teams can play and Scottish teams can’t. I remember discussions in the past about the Old Firm being in the Premier League but don’t know the situation. It’s football politics.” (Daily Record)

Rumour Mill: Scott Brown | Dorin Goian | Old Firm