CELTIC manager Neil Lennon has insisted that the club’s £25 million asking price for Kieran Tierney represents a bargain in the current transfer market, two fringe players at Rangers are edging closer to the exit door at Ibrox and Celtic are reportedly leading Manchester City in the race for Jose Cifuentes’ signature.

Lennon: £25 million for Tierney is a bargain

As the Kieran Tierney transfer saga rumbles on, Celtic boss Neil Lennon has argued that the club’s asking price for the full-back represents a bargain for any potential buyer. Lennon said: “He has a price and a valuation and the way the market is in England it could even look like a bargain when you think of Wan-Bissaka going for £50m.”

Del Piero backs Alessio to shine at ‘excellent’ Kilmarnock

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero, who spent 19 seasons at the Italian club and is their all-time top scorer, has backed Kilmarnock manager Angelo Alessio to excel at the Rugby Park club. “Mr Alessio faces a new challenge, in which he will bring methods and principles that have always been the basis of Conte's philosophy: work ethics, obsessive attention to every single detail and the hunger for victory that never fails,” said Del Piero.

Hardie edges closer to Blackpool move

Rangers striker Ryan Hardie, who spent last season on loan at Livingston, is on the brink of signing for English League One side Blackpool according to the Daily Record. The Record are reporting that the 22-year-old has been pictured in Blackpool’s kit and believe a transfer is imminent.

Celtic ‘beating Manchester City’ in race for Cifuentes

The Scotsman believe that Celtic are in ‘pole position’ to land the signature of Ecuador under-20s midfielder Jose Cifuentes, who has also caught the interest of Manchester City. More relaxed laws surrounding work permits in Scotland mean that Celtic now have the edge in the race to sign the midfielder, according to reports.

Lovenkrands delighted with Rangers kids’ progress

Rangers coach Peter Lovenkrands is delighted with the performance of the Rangers under-20s following their 2-0 win over League Two’s Cambridge United at the Hummel Training Centre yesterday. “I have been so pleased with the boys over the start of pre-season they have been very, very strong,” said Lovenkrands. “All the first teams we have played we have won every game and looked good.”

Lennon: No offers for Ntcham

Neil Lennon has revealed that the club are still to receive bids for French midfielder Olivier Ntcham, who is believed to be on the radar of Marseille and Porto. Lennon told the Scottish Sun: “There has been nothing so far. It’s a question of him knuckling down now, being a Celtic player and doing what he is good at. That’s what we want from him.”

Coventry ‘join race’ for Middleton

English League One side Coventry City are interested in signing Rangers winger Glenn Middleton on loan, according to reports in the Scottish Sun. Doncaster Rovers and Hull City are also reportedly keen on a loan deal for the 19-year-old.

St Mirren to let record signing leave for free

St Mirren are prepared to offload defender Josh Heaton for nothing this summer, after the 21-year-old became the most expensive player in the club’s history when he moved to Paisley for £75,000 last summer. Saints manager Jim Goodwin revealed: “Josh won’t be coming back. There’s an agreement in place for us to allow him to move on and try to get regular first-team football.”

Hibernian trialists won’t be offered contracts

Hibernian will not be offering contracts to either of the two trialists that featured in the club’s pre-season friendly defeat to Newcastle United under-23s on Monday, report the Scottish Sun. Jonny Smith and Will Donkin both played in the 2-1 defeat, but Paul Heckingbottom will not be offering either a permanent contract.