Rumour Mill: Celtic and Rangers want Vaulks | Deila job ‘safe’ | Doubt over new Johansen deal

Rivals leading chase for Falkirk defender Will Vaulks; Celtic board to back Ronny Deila and doubts arise over Stefan Johansen contract extension

Rivals leading chase for Falkirk defender Will Vaulks; Celtic board to back Ronny Deila and doubts arise over Stefan Johansen contract extension

Watch Will Vaulks score against Rangers

FALKIRK defender Will Vaulks netted this stunner against Rangers as the Bairns won 2-1 last month - and his celebration matches the goal.

Celtic and Rangers eye Vaulks

BOTH Celtic and Rangers have been linked with Falkirk defender Will Vaulks - but the two clubs could face competition with Vaulks attracting a number of potential suitors.

The 22-year-old is under contract at Falkirk until May 2016, and was named in the Scottish Championship Team of the Year for the 2013/14 season.

And Vaulks’ performances for the Bairns have led to interest from Celtic, Rangers, Hibs, Norwich, Wigan and Sporting Lisbon. (Various)

Celtic board ‘will back Deila’

RONNY Deila’s job is safe until at least the end of the season, with the Parkhead board set to back the Celtic boss for the remainder of the campaign.

Reports suggest Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell are not looking to axe the Norwegian, despite a string of below-par performances from Celtic.

A late Leigh Griffiths goal handed 10-man Celtic victory against Partick Thistle, coming after a home loss to Motherwell and a 2-2 draw with Hearts. (Scottish Sun)

Deila takes in La Liga clash

RONNY Deila was spotted at Eibar’s 4-0 win over Real Betis at the weekend.

It is not known who the Celtic boss was watching in particular, but on-loan Atletic Madrid striker Borja Baston came off the bench to score the fourth goal and could be a possible target. (Various)

New Johansen deal ‘in doubt’

STEFAN Johansen has admitted to uncertainty over his long-term future at Celtic as he approaches the final year of his contract.

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Johansen is under contract until summer 2017 and has been linked with moves to England and Germany but is reluctant to predict the outcome of talks between his agent and the club.

Johansen has struggled this season to replicate the form which saw him crowned PFA Scotland Player of the Year in 2015. (The Scotsman)

Scepovic keen on Gijon return

CELTIC misfit Stefan Scepovic has revealed he would relish a return to former club Sporting Gijon.

The striker, who is currently on loan at Getafe, left Gijon to join Celtic but struggled to make an impact. He reportedly told a Spanish newspaper: “In the future, I would like to return to Sporting.” (La Nueva Espana)

Celtic target nears Liverpool deal

MARKO Grujic, who was linked with Celtic at the tail end of last year, looks set to complete his move to Liverpool from Red Star Belgrade today.

The 19-year-old Serbian midfielder had reportedly been on Celtic’s radar in December. (Sky Sports)

Rangers complete Gostomski signing

RANGERS have signed Polish goalkeeper Maciej Gostomski until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old will provide cover for Wes Foderingham as Cammy Bell continues to fight injury following shoulder and knee problems.

Gostomski told the Rangers website: “This is a great opportunity for me and with my experience I think I can bring something to Rangers. They are a huge club with a great history and I am delighted to be here.” (The Scotsman)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Dundee United have won the race to sign hotly-tipped Spartans striker Aaron Murrell, beating off competition from Hibs, Rangers and Hearts

• Miles Storey is keen to make a permanent move to Inverness Caledonian Thistle

• Ex-Scotland midfielder Scot Gemmill believes Rangers kid Liam Burt is good enough for the Ibrox first team

• Dundee defender James McPake should find out the extent of his knee injury later today

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent has hinted that the Swedish striker would be the ‘perfect fit’ for the English Premier League

• Manchester United are reportedly set to trigger Neymar’s £140m release clause, after contract talks with Barcelona stalled