Celtic transfer intel swarms the Hotline as Dermot Desmond deploys £50m response to Rangers takeover
The takeover, the new manager and transfer murmurs skyrocketing - but Rangers don't have Celtic worried just yet.
The champions are making moves behind the scenes - and Dermot Desmond is set to give Brendan Rodgers the keys to the Parkhead coffers this summer.
That is according to Martin 'Butch' Cassidy, Hamilton - who claims to be the man with the intel is leaking out of Celtic Park.
He said: "I have worked in a world where wee whispers about Celtic land on my door and have then come to pass. I knew Brendan Rodgers would be the boss before it was announced two times over.
"And now my source is telling me Dermot Desmond is eyeing a marquee summer. This Rangers takeover will have nothing on us and my inside man reckons we'll spend in excess of £50million. Over to you, Rangers."
Transfer season is well underway - and Cyriel Dessers looks to be inching closer to the Ibrox exit door.
But with AEK looking to snap up the striker for a lowball offer the door remains closed for the Nigeria international.
Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton emailed: "Much has been made of the fact that Dessers finished up Scotland's top goalscorer - so for Rangers reportedly holding out for a paltry £5million is beggars belief.
"It's another example of Rangers desperate for finance and they will regret not having Rangers diehard Lawrence Shankland in place for the start of the season."
Nicolas Kuhn is another who could be on the move - with the Celtic winger attracting interest from RB Leipzig.
Alan Flett senses a shift in Glasgow amid wheeling and dealing at Parkhead: "RB Leipzig must be desperate if they're willing to pay £15m for Kuhn. He's been playing in Scotland for 18 months and has been largely anonymous for the majority of that period.
"Despite their apparent wealth, the biscuit tin mentality is alive and well at Celtic Park. It's only a matter of time before Rangers are back on top of the Scottish game."
Russell Martin knows who he will face in his first competitive match as Rangers boss - with the crucial Champions League qualifiers kicking off against Panathanaikos.
But some have already written off their chances of joining Europe's elite next season - with Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh commenting: "Surely Champions League is beyond Rangers this season?
"They're nowhere near enough ready , and I suggest Europa League far more realistic. Defeat by Panathanaikos would see Gers given a 5 million Euro softener"
And the draw sparked some Hotline sparring between regulars - with Scott Gowers clamped over a potential UEFA conspiracy.
John Scott said: "Scott Gowers thinks Ranger's are mysteriously getting tough draws in Euro qualification for the Champions League. Can we smell the pungent aroma of yet another conspiracy. Not more big male coo's and dungheaps surely?"
John Souttar looks set to miss the clash with the Greeks after delaying surgery to turn out for Scotland at the end of the campaign.
Baffled Dr Robert S Pender said: "Did nobody tell the Rangers player who pays his wages? To delay the surgery in order to turn out for Scotland friendlies was totally unexplainable. Now the player will miss important qualifying games. I think he will eventually will move on."
Hibs have drawn FC Midtjylland in their Europa League qualifiers - and the Danes have been quick to play down the threat of the Premiership side with boss Thomas Thomasberg declaring his side would reach the next round.
Neil Renton, Leith said: "Midtjylland boss Thomas Thomasberg might be super confident his side will beat Hibs in the Europa League but he can't write off the Easter Road side too quickly. Fingers crossed that his comments come back to haunt him and he's humbled by the Hibees."
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