Scottish Premiership

TRAINSPOTTING author Irvine Welsh sparked outrage by saying Rangers ace Alfredo Morelos should be “macheted into small pieces” and “consumed by seagulls”.
Welsh was appearing on Hibs TV’s coverage of their 1-0 defeat to Rangers.

No action was taken against Alfredo Morelos for this incident

Irvine Welsh, right, with Hibs TV host David Tannner

His words came after Rangers’ Colombian striker escaped any action when he stood on Hibs defender Ryan Porteous.
Morelos proved to be the matchwinner as the Ibrox side maintained their 23-point advantage over Celtic at the top of the table.
Welsh is well-known for his extravagant use of language, but angry Gers fans complained on social media – and even took the matter to Ofcom.
The communications watchdog said they had received a total of 14 complaints over “comments made by Irvine Welsh”, although the comments on a commercial club TV channel strictly fell outside their remit.

We told you how Welsh sparked fury amongst Rangers fans by referring to Morelos as a “sticky bun” – ryhming slang for the offensive term “h**”.
But SunSport has now seen the FULL video of the exchange – which leaves host David Tanner and Hibs ladies player Joelle Murray laughing on nervously.
Welsh said: “Morelos should have been off. That was outrageous, like.
“It was terrible sort of stamping there from the sticky bun.

“He should have been shown the red for that, no question about that at all, had it been Porteous he would have been off.”

Another angle of the incident

Irvine Welsh pictured at Easter Road
Then when Tanner asks ‘”should the referee not have seen that?”, Welsh responds: “Yeah where is he?
“Morelos should basically be macheted into small pieces and sent in various packets to different corners of the globe for a challenge like that.
“And kind of consumed by seagulls.”
Rangers, Hibs and Irvine Welsh have been contacted for comment – with the Easter Road side APOLOGISING for the affair yesterday.
Gers SLO Greg Marshall expects Hampden chiefs to launch a probe into Welsh’s comments.
He tweeted: “We are disappointed at the comments made in relation to Alfredo and our club.
“Hibs have apologised to the club today. Nevertheless, we are sure these comments will be investigated by the football authorities.”
OLD FIRM FURY
It isn’t the first time Welsh has sparked controversy amongst Glasgow football fans.
Both Celtic and Rangers hit out at him two years ago after he launched a blistering attack on the Old Firm over their commitment to stamping out sectarianism.
He said: “It has to do with the Old Firm and the power of those institutions not really being invested in change.
“Why would they be? Rangers without sectarianism are Partick Thistle, basically. And Celtic without sectarianism are Hibs.
“They’re invested in that, and it serves them as enterprises.
“You have to be able to shut down grounds and stadiums where singing takes place.
“That’s principally the way to do it because clubs won’t change until there is a financial incentive to do so.”
Celtic slammed Welsh’s remarks at the time, with a spokesman saying: “These are tired and absurd accusations which, in relation to Celtic Football Club, have no foundation whatsoever.

“Celtic, as a club open to all since 1888, has always campaigned against prejudice and promoted tolerance and diversity.
A Rangers spokesperson also hit out: “It does not help when individuals, who have no idea of the time and effort Rangers commits to engaging with the local and wider communities, decide to pontificate on this subject.
“If they would just come and witness for themselves how seriously we regard this issue they might not be so willing to offer vacuous opinions.”

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BEN DAVIES is set to join Celtic – it is just a matter of when.
The Preston defender was expected to move to the Scottish champions when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Preston’s Ben Davies is set to join CelticCredit: Getty

But due to injury problems in defence, Neil Lennon is pushing to bring the 25-year-old in this month instead.
An agreement will have to be thrashed out if that is to happen though and is by no means guaranteed.
Celtic will be without key central defender Christopher Jullien for the next four months due to a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Jeremie Frimpong has completed his move to German giants Bayer Leverkusen.

The young Celtic right-back has sealed the lucrative transfer just days before Monday’s deadline day – with the fee believed to be worth a whopping £11.5million.
The Dutchman, 20, has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Bundesliga outfit that runs until summer 2025.
Speaking about his move to Germany, he told Leverkusen’s official website: “It’s a great opportunity to play in one of the best European leagues.
“I’m really excited about the Bundesliga and, of course especially about this club.

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“Bayer 04 Leverkusen recently played regularly in the Champions League and the Europa League.
“They showed how ambitious they are internationally, not least in the two games against Glasgow Rangers last year.
“I really like the offensive, fast and technical way of playing at Bayer 04 and I hope that I can help the team soon.”

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RANGERS have announce the signing of Bournemouth ace Jack Simpson on a pre-contract.
The Light Blues have moved once more in this window to secure another player for the future.

Jack Simpson playing the Bournemouth versus Man CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Simpson, 24, becomes the second player this week to commit to a future deal at the club, following on from Aberdeen ace Scott Wright.
The Cherries defender will team up with Steven Gerrard & Co in the summer once his contract expires on the south coast.
The centre-back has Premier League experience with Bournemouth, and this season, has played an important role in their bid to be promoted back to England’s top flight.
As product of the club’s Academy, Simpson made his debut for then-manager Eddie Howe’s side in a 3-1 EFL Cup win over Middlesbrough in October 2017 – a game in which he opened the scoring.

His first taste of Premier League action came that season against Manchester City at the Etihad.
His run of games in the team also included 90 minutes in a 1-0 clean sheet victory over Champions League finalists Tottenham.
Commenting on his signing, Sporting Director, Ross Wilson, said: “Jack is a player that Steven (Gerrard) and I have discussed a number of times in recent months.
“We are always looking at how we can improve and Jack fits the profile that we are looking to add as we develop and move the squad forward again.

Steve Gerrard has been chasing the Bournemouth star for a whileCredit: Alamy Live News

“His contractual situation at Bournemouth provided a natural and attractive moment for us to pursue Jack’s signature.
“It has been well publicised that he has been a much-coveted player south of the border but from our first discussion with Jack, we could see how the opportunity to join Rangers was one that was very appealing to him.
“The situation with pre contract negotiations is never an easy one and I extend my thanks to Richard Hughes, my counterpart at Bournemouth, for how he has handled our interest in Jack.”
SunSport told you last weekend how Rangers had agreed a pre-contract deal for Simpson’s Cherries team-mate Nnamdi Ofoborh.
However, the midfielder, aged 21, has yet to be officially announced by the Ibrox side.
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Bournemouth boss Jason Tindall yesterday said that both Simspon and Ofoborh could be announced by Rangers within 48-hours, so confirmation could come soon.
He said: “Obviously the Rangers thing is still going on.
“I think Jack’s made his mind up in terms of that’s where he wants to go and play his football.
“I think that one is pretty much going to happen. Nnamdi I think is in a similar position.
“I’ve got such a big squad to choose from. The likes of Jaidon Anthony, Gav Kilkenny and the other young guys – I think with their future firmly here at the football club, sometimes you have to give that priority.”

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TRIBUTES have poured in for Celtic great Johannes Edvaldsson after his death at the age of 70.
Icelandic star Edvaldsson – nicknamed Shuggie – played for Celtic for five years from 1975 to 1980 after being signed by Jock Stein.

Edvaldsson in action for Celtic during his playing daysCredit: SNS Group

He went on to make 195 appearances for the club, scoring 38 goals.
Edvaldsson won two league titles and one Scottish Cup with the Hoops and later returned to Scotland to play for Motherwell.
In a career which brought him 34 international caps, he also played in South Africa, France, Denmark, the USA and Germany.
His younger brother, Atli, was also capped for their homeland and later managed the Icelandic national team.

Former Celtic team-mate Murdo Macleod tweeted: “Very sad to hear of the passing of Johannes ‘Big Shuggie’ Edvaldsson.
“Big part of the team when we beat Rangers 4-2 to win the league in 1979. My thoughts are with his family.”
Macleod also tweeted a photo of the Celts squad which won the 1978-79 title under boss Billy McNeill.
Edvaldsson played 188 games and scored 36 goals for the Glasgow giants and built up a cult following among the Hoops faithful.

Very sad to hear of the passing of Johannes “Big Shuggie” Edvaldsson. Big part of the team when we beat Rangers 4-2 to win the league in 1979. My thoughts are with his family. @CelticFC pic.twitter.com/vSiLioHoUM
— Murdo Macleod (@murdomacleod06) January 24, 2021

The club’s Former Players’ Association tweeted: “Very sad news today about Big Johannes ‘Shuggie’ Edvaldsson who passed away today. A great Celt. Our thoughts are with family. RIP.”
Celtic confirmed the news on their website and added: “Everyone at Celtic is saddened to hear of the passing of former player, Johannes Edvaldsson, who has died at the age of 70.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic are with Johannes’ family at this very sad time.”

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EDDIE HOWE is the red hot favourite to be the next Celtic manager after TWO bookies suspended betting on him taking over from Neil Lennon.
The former Bournemouth boss has been out of work since leaving the Cherries following their relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season.

Eddie Howe is in line to be the next Celtic bossCredit: PA:Press Association

After Howe’s price dropped as short as 1/10, Betfair and Paddy Power have pulled the plug on any further punters placing bets in the next Celtic boss market.
Pressure continues to mount on Hoops gaffer Neil Lennon following a disastrous season in the league and in Europe.
Lennon has insisted he won’t resign despite trailing Steven Gerrard’s Rangers by TWENTY points in the Scottish Premiership.
Earlier this week Howe, 43, was installed as odds-on favourite to become the next No1 at Parkhead.

The young English manager has been heavily linked with taking over from Lennon for the past two months.
A Paddy Power spokesman said: “Howe’s your luck?
“You go on the record saying you’re going nowhere, and within hours your club’s lined up a younger, better looking model. I know the feeling.
“The Celtic board brought Neil Lennon back to the club to be a kind of steady Eddie – now it looks like they’ve gone for the real deal instead.”

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Neil Lennon is under huge pressure at CelticCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

Lennon, who has won five titles as Celtic boss, copped more flak after coming out fighting in DEFENCE of the club’s Dubai warm-weather training trip amid the pandemic.
The PR disaster was confirmed when two players tested positive for Covid-19 upon their return to colder shores.
Howe is also in the frame for the Newcastle job as bookies favourite with Geordie Steve Bruce feeling the heat from the Toon army after a number of uninspiring displays.

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NEIL LENNON has blasted the ‘barrage of absolute hypocrisy’ over Celtic’s trip to Dubai.
The Hoops were rocked last week when Christopher Jullien tested positive for Covid-19 upon the team’s return to Scotland.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon took aim at pundits, the media and government in his press conferenceCredit: PLZ

And it only got worse as a further 13 first team stars – including Lennon and John Kennedy – were forced to self-isolate.
Having returned to take charge of training today, the Celtic boss confirmed one of the players in isolation has now tested positive for the virus.
However, in an astonishing press conference, Lennon blasted the criticism of the club over the trip.
He said: “Everybody’s negative, the whole squad’s negative bar two players.

Neil Lennon confirmed another player has tested positive for coronavirus after the club’s controversial trip to DubaiCredit: PLZ
“I think that’s remarkable and I think it totally blows out of the water the way the trip, the way the training camp, has been portrayed by certain quarters of the media, by certain pundits and by certain government officials as well.
“We did not abuse any ‘privilege’. We did the right things, we were absolutely totally professional.
“We had a little drink in the afternoon on our day off, completely allowed, no law-breaking.
“Yet we come back to this barrage of absolute hypocrisy.”

Most of Celtic’s isolating stars only returned to training at Lennoxtown for the first time since their return from Dubai this morning.

SunSport’s pictures showed the likes of Scott Brown, Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard all arriving at the training ground.
While others, including Kris Ajer, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Hatem Elhamed and Vasilis Barkas were also photographed as they drove in.
Celtic were forced to play their last two games against Hibs and Livingston with a mixture of first-team players and youngsters.
But Lennon will hope to have a mostly full squad to choose from when they travel to West Lothian to face Livi again on Wednesday evening.
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