Scottish Premiership

SUNDERLAND are lining up a shock move for controversial Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths.The Black Cats are exploring a loan move for the Hoops ace — who will find out where he stands in coach Ange Postecoglou’s plans shortly.
Celtic striker Leigh GriffithsCredit: The Sun
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has to decide what to do with GriffithsCredit: The Sun
Sunderland gaffer Lee Johnson is chasing a goalscorer, and lost hitman Charlie Wyke to Wigan recently.
Griffiths only signed a one-year extension to his deal at Celtic earlier this month.
The 30-year-old has since been cleared by police over claims he sent inappropriate messages to two schoolgirls.
He was sent home from the Parkhead club’s training camp in Wales earlier this month as cops and the club launched separate investigations.

CASH FLOW Celtic new boy Furuhashi can help club make a fortune in Asia, say experts

And speaking this week, Postecoglou admitted he hadn’t given Griffiths a second thought in the time since.
He said: “You know how much time I have spent thinking about that? You’ve asked me and I’ve just thought about it.
“We’ll let it run its course and once it’s done and we get back up to Scotland then we’ll deal with it then.
“I’ve not spoken to him.”
 🚨 Read our Scottish transfer live blog for the latest news & gossip 🚨
Meanwhile, now that he has sealed a move to Celtic, Kyogo Furuhashi now dreams of playing for Japan at the World Cup.
He said: “Playing in a World Cup is more than a dream, it’s a great goal.
“I’d really love to see what it feels like to play at that level — and I think about it very strongly.
“I want to make the most of my opportunities.
“The shortest way to reach everything is to focus on what is in front of me in the short-term and everything else will come.

“I have to keep working.
Japan will begin their next phase of World Cup qualifiers in September in a group that includes Australia, China, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.
They kick off their fixtures with a home game against Oman on September 2.
The Japanese will then play each team both home and away before finally hosting the Vietnamese on March 29 next year.
Should they finish in the top two of the group, Japan will qualify for next year’s Qatar World Cup automatically.
But if they end up finishing third, they will face off against the other group’s third-place side for a place in the tournament.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

Celtic new boy Kyogo Furuhashi and Andres Iniesta tear J-League defences apart More

STEVEN GERRARD has revealed new Rangers signing Nnamdi Ofoborh has a heart issue and will not be able to play for the foreseeable future. The midfielder, 21, joined the Scottish champions on a four-year deal this summer following his release from Bournemouth.
Steven Gerrard confirmed new Rangers midfielder Nnamdi Ofoborh has a heart problemCredit: The Sun
He agreed a contract back in February but the Gers medical staff discovered the underlying problem when they completed their checks this summer.
And it spells bad news for the Nigeria Under-20 international.
Speaking after his side’s 2-2 friendly draw with Arsenal on Saturday, manager Gerrard told RangersTV: “I don’t think you’ll see him in the short term.
“Unfortunately something has flagged up with his ECG, which is the heart test.
“We’ve got top medical people here at the club now and we check all the players thoroughly from head to toe when they arrive.
“Unfortunately there’s been a bit of a red flag with a heart issue so he’s going to see some specialists in the coming weeks and we need to do more tests before we move forward.”
Ofoborh came through the academy at Bournemouth and made five first-team appearances but spent the last two seasons on loan at Wycombe.
He turned out 33 times for the Chairboys, scoring twice – including the club’s goal of the season in their promotion-winning campaign of 2019-20.
But after securing his transfer to Ibrox, the former Cherries starlet’s career has been put on hold.

Gerrard added: “The important thing is the player’s health, which we’ll obviously focus on first and foremost.
“Of course it is disappointing and frustrating for the player but I spoke to him yesterday, told him to keep smiling and be patient.
“We will do everything we can to support him, get him in front of the right people and the right support and hopefully he will be back, not too long.”
Ofoborh came through the youth ranks at Bournemouth and enjoyed two loan spells at WycombeCredit: Getty
Steven Gerrard reacts to Rangers stunning unbeaten season after they sealed it with a win against Aberdeen More

CELTIC have paid tribute to European Cup winner Charlie Gallagher who has sadly passed away at the age of 80.Gallagher was part of Jock Stein’s squad who swept the board in 1966/67 culminating in that historic win in Lisbon.
Charlie Gallagher (Second from right) was always considered one of the Lisbon Lions
 🚨 Read our Scottish transfer live blog for the latest news & gossip 🚨
And, although he didn’t feature in the final, the forward was always considered one of the Lions for his role in helping the team get to that stage.
It was his corner turned in by Billy McNeill that enabled Celtic to see off Vojvodina in the European Cup quarter-final tie.
Many observers felt he was unfortunate not to make the team for the final – but he was always considered an integral part of the group who savoured that famous success.
He and McNeill had also combined in the same fashion two years previously as the Hoops defeated Dunfermline in the 1965 Scottish Cup final.
BEST BETTING OFFERS – GET THE TOP EURO 2020 OFFERS AND SIGN-UP DEALS

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

Olivier Ntcham trains on beach wearing Celtic gear with transfer exit up in the air More

RANGERS have completed the signing of John Lundstram on a free transfer.The former Sheffield United star has joined on a three-year deal and joins Fashion Sakala in joining the Scottish champions this summer.
Rangers have snapped up Lundstram on a three-year dealCredit: PA
🚨 Read our Scottish transfer live blog for the latest news & gossip 🚨
Lundstram played 62 times in the English Premier League in the last two seasons at the Blades before leaving at the end of his contract.
On his switch to Rangers, he told the club’s official website: “I spoke with the manager and he sold the club to me, and I was just taken aback by his ambition, vision and drive.
“I know Glasgow is like Liverpool – a proper football city with proper football fans, and I know the people are very similar and I am buzzing to be a part of the atmosphere I am moving into.
“The chance to work with Steven Gerrard and Gary McAllister, as well as Michael Beale, was a huge draw.
“The manager is from the same area as me, and I want to learn from those coaches and become a better version of myself and continue to develop under them.
“As an outsider looking in, the scenes last season were unbelievable when the club won the league, and when I saw that, I knew I wanted to be a part of it and be a part of a club which wins more trophies for Rangers.
BEST BETTING OFFERS – GET THE TOP EURO 2020 OFFERS AND SIGN-UP DEALS
Lundstram admits playing under Gerrard was huge draw to join RangersCredit: Getty
“There is something special still being built here and there is more to come. The pull of being in the Champions League was also massive for me and I want to help the team reach the group stage and make the most of that opportunity.”
Light Blues boss Steven Gerrard added: “John is a player I have known for some time and knew he would enhance our squad.
“Having played in the Premiership, he has the undoubted quality to enhance our midfield with his technical ability and physicality and I was impressed with his attitude and ambition when we spoke over recent weeks.
Rangers sporting director Ross WilsonCredit: The Sun
“John is a winner and knows what is required to succeed at a club of this stature.
“He will add steel and presence to our midfield along with his quality which makes our squad much stronger, and to procure a player of John’s profile and experience is very pleasing.
“Myself and the staff are looking forward to working with John. We know he is also very excited to get started at Rangers.”

PICK IT OUT Watch former Rangers star Fraser Aird score stunner for FC Edmonton in Canada

Sporting Director Ross Wilson expressed his delight at getting the signing over the line.
And says the midfielder was a major transfer target this summer.
He said: “John was a major transfer target as part of our squad plan this summer so naturally I am delighted that he becomes a Rangers player today.
“We quietly worked hard at this deal in the background whilst understanding there was a lot of competition for his signature.

“John has long been admired by Steven and there’s no better judge of a midfield player in my book.
“His desire to make John a Rangers player will have been a massive plus in John’s decision making I am sure. We know John’s qualities and we know that in joining our team, with the quality we already have, his game will elevate further still.
“He will particularly relish playing in the style of Rangers team that we have and playing in front of our huge fan base is an exciting prospect for him.
“He joins at a time where we believe at 27 years old his peak years will be with us at Ibrox.”

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page 

Rangers & Celtic fans react to Pointless contestant’s answer describing their rivalry as the ‘Old Firm’ More