Rumour Mill: Rangers target Ben Pringle | Ciftci wants Celtic exit | Forged Hearts tickets

Rangers target Fulham winger Ben Pringle; Nadir Ciftci heading for Parkhead exit and Ann Budge says Hearts have launched a probe into alleged forged tickets

By The Newsroom Wednesday, 4th May 2016, 12:12 pm Updated Wednesday, 4th May 2016, 1:35 pm

Ben Pringle is a target for Mark Warburton. Picture: Getty Images

Rangers interested in Fulham’s Ben Pringle

RANGERS boss Mark Warburton has reportedly identified Fulham winger Ben Pringle as a potential summer recruit and wants to bring him north of the border in the summer.

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Pringle is a 26-year-old winger that can also feature in central midfield, and has spent a short amount of time on loan at Ipswich this season. (Daily Express)

"When Tannadice is ashes, you have my permission to die." Picture: SNS

Ciftci wants Celtic exit

NADIR Ciftci wants to leave the Scottish champions, it has been reported.

Ciftci, who is currently on loan at Turkish Super Lig side Eskisehirspor, has one had assist and three goals in nine games since joining the Turkish side.

He said: “I would prefer to stay with Eskisehirspor if they make an offer for me in the next transfer window. One of the reasons I came to Turkey was to try and make the squad for Euro 2016.” (Various)

"When Tannadice is ashes, you have my permission to die." Picture: SNS

Dundee United eye McKinnon

DUNDEE United are set to turn to Raith manager Ray McKinnon after Mixu Paatelainen’s exit, despite Raith chief Eric Drysdale saying that Rovers would not entertain any approach for their manager “at the moment”.

McKinnon, 45, enjoyed two spells at United as a player in the 1990s and has impressed at Stark’s Park, leading the club into the play-offs in his first season.

Paatelainen, who agreed a two-and-a half-year contract when he replaced Jackie McNamara in October, won only five of 25 league matches. (Various)

Thompson ‘sorry’ for relegation

DUNDEE United chairman Stephen Thompson has apologised to supporters for the club’s relegation.

“Dundee United have let you, the supporters, down this season,’ Thompson’s statement read. ‘I apologise unreservedly to all of you for our relegation from the Ladbrokes Premiership.” (Various)

• There was an unusual sight yesterday as Thompson left Tannadice. In the back seat of the United chairman’s car sat Batman. The image was caught on camera and can be viewed in the image above.

“Endure, Master Thompson. Take it. They’ll hate you for it, but that’s the point of a chairman, he can be the outcast. He can make the choice that no one else can make, the right choice,” Thompson may have said to himself.

Alex McLeish leaves Zamalek

FORMER Rangers and Scotland boss Alex McLeish has left Egyptian club Zamalek after only 65 days in charge.

McLeish was the fourth manager Zamalek have had this season. He was in charge for only 10 games, six of which he won along with two draws and two defeats. (The Scotsman)

Harry Forrester donates to fan with cancer

RANGERS midfielder Harry Forrester has announced that the profits from his coffee distribution business for May will be given to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma-suffering fan Lee Welsh.

Earlier this month, the 11 year-old led the squad onto the field at Ibrox against Alloa and lifted the trophy on the pitch with manager Mark Warburton.

The Rangers star has encouraged fans to donate via his Twitter page. (Daily Record)

Hearts owner ‘sympathetic’ over forged tickets

HEARTS owner Ann Budge has sympathised with Celtic fans who were unable to make it into Tynecastle on Saturday due to forged tickets.

Celtic fans were irritated at having been turned away from the ground because the stadium was full. It’s believed that a minority of fans used tickets for previous Hearts v Celtic games, doctored with Saturday’s date, to gain entry to the ground.

Budge said: “We’ve had emails about it and we had a meeting on Monday afternoon to talk about how many people were involved and how did it happen. We’ve almost finished the investigation and I’ve undertaken to go back to (Celtic) to explain what happened, and why it happened.” (Daily Mail)

Griffiths eyes Larsson record

Celtic striker Griffiths is aiming to break the league record of 35 goals scored in one season, set by Henrik Larsson and Brian McClair.

As Scotland’s Player of the Year, Griffiths has 30 league goals to his name, with a further nine from other competitions. His sixth yellow card of the season during Celtic’s 3-1 victory over Hearts means that he will not play the club’s last game of the season against Motherwell.

Even if Griffiths scores only one goal against Aberdeen this weekend, Griffiths would equal a 40-goal total set by Henrik Larsson back in 2004. (Daily Record)

Griffiths keen on international success

LEIGH Griffiths has also set his sights on becoming a Scotland goal scoring sensation after a prolific season on the domestic front.

The 25-year-old has netted 39 times in all competitions for the Hoops during the current campaign but has yet to break his duck with the international team. (Evening Times)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has revealed that he wants his summer signings all wrapped up before the club’s Europa League campaign begins on June 30