Rumour Mill: Celtic | Rangers ‘impressed’ with Andy Halliday

Celtic manager Ronny Deila celebrates after the 2-0 victory last night. Picture: PA

CELTIC lament their inability to defeat Stjarnan by more goals in last night’s Champions League qualifying encounter, Rangers boss Mark Warburton revealed he has been “very impressed” with trialist Andrew Halliday, and Dundee United are set to make a third bid for Billy Mckay.

Celtic ‘disappointed’ they didn’t kill off Euro tie

Celtic were left frustrated with their inability to kill off their Champions League qualifying tie with Icelandic outfit Stjarnan following last night’s first leg at Parkhead.

Celtic won the match 2-0 thanks to goals from Dedryck Boyata and Stefan Johansen, but missed further chances to take an insurmountable lead with them in next week’s return match, including a late Leigh Griffiths penalty saved by former Motherwell stopper Gunnar Nielsen.

Deila told Celtic TV: “In the end, I’m a little bit disappointed that we didn’t score more. We deserved to win but we could also have scored more. They also had one or two chances and it was good they didn’t score. I’m happy but I’m not too excited.” (Celtic TV)

Penalty row annoys Celtic boss Deila

Celtic manager Ronny Deila last night accused his team of lacking professionalism after an argument over who should take a late penalty denied them the insurance of a three-goal first leg lead in their Champions League second qualifying round tie against Stjarnan.

Goals from Dedryck Boyata and Stefan Johansen secured a 2-0 win which makes Celtic heavy favourites to progress when the teams play the return fixture in Reykjavik next Wednesday.

But Deila was left infuriated by the squabble between Johansen and Leigh Griffiths over the 78th minute spot-kick. (The Scotsman)

• Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths took to Twitter after the match to apologise to fans for the penalty miss, though there was no mention of the dispute with Johansen.

Griffiths said: “Disappointed with my penalty, all about the team tonight and we won which was main thing. Onto 2nd leg now and finish the tie.”

Mark Warburton ‘impressed’ with Andy Halliday

Rangers boss Mark Warburton admits to having been “very impressed” with the performance of former Livingston attacker Andy Halliday in a closed doors friendly with Ayr United last night.

The 23-year-old has been training with the Ibrox club since leaving Bradford City in the summer and Warburton is hopeful of making the player’s stay permanent.

Former Hearts midfielder Jason Holt also started the match against Ayr, scoring Rangers’ second goal in a 2-0 win. (Rangers.co.uk)

Dundee United to make third bid for Billy Mckay

Dundee United are set to return with a third bid for Wigan Athletic striker Billy Mckay.

The Tannadice club had a six-figure offer rejected on Tuesday, which was their second approach for the former Inverness Caley Thistle hitman.

However, it seems United will not be discouraged as they prepare to make another offer for the player who only left Scottish football to join the Lancashire club in January.