Rumour Mill: Celtic | SPFL | Simonsen | Hibs

Ronny Deila has urged Celtic fans to be on their best behaviour. Picture: SNS

Celtic gear up for Inter Milan clash as Ronny Deila urges fans to behave; SFA to appeal Steve Simonsen betting ban as ‘too lenient’ and Hibs striker Jason Cummings denies McDonald’s muffin incident

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Deila urges Celtic fans to behave

RONNY Deila has urged travelling Celtic fans to be on their best behaviour after the Hoops were hit with another UEFA fine for fans’ misbehaving at a Europa League clash in Zagreb.

Celtic were fined £7300 after a section of the Celtic support lit flares at the match with Dinamo Zagreb last year.

And the Norwegian is begging Celtic fans to behave at the San Siro as Celtic look to progress in the Europa League.

Deila said: ““You saw last Thursday what the Celtic fans could be and the atmosphere in the stadium was unbelievable. That is something to be proud of.

“Sadly, we have one per cent who haven’t done that and have made problems. It is so important for us in the future we stop this and get known as good supporters and as I said, last Thursday was just world class in my opinion.” (Various)

SPFL rethink over fans’ conduct rules

THE SPFL is to review its policy on supporter behaviour following criticism over its stance on sectarian singing.

The board of the SPFL discussed the issue a day after chief executive Neil Doncaster admitted Rangers were unlikely to face sanctions over the latest outburst by their fans.

And the SPFL recently announced it was taking no action against Rangers or Celtic following the QTS Scottish League Cup semi-final after ten people were arrested for sectarian breach of the peace and a significant proportion of Rangers fans sang ‘No Pope of Rome’ and the ‘Billy Boys’, while Celtic fans lit flares.

A statement from the league read: “An SPFL board meeting was convened by conference call this morning to discuss recent supporter misconduct at several matches.

“The strong view of the SPFL board is that such behaviour has no place in Scottish football.

“These events and the current regulations in this area will be reviewed and discussed in detail when the board meets in person at Hampden in March.” (The Scotsman)

SFA appeal Simonsen ban

THE SFA are to appeal the betting ban handed out to Rangers goalkeeper Steve Simonsen for being too lenient.

The 35-year-old was slapped with a two-game suspension after being found guilty of betting on football.

But compliance officer Tony McGlennan believes the ban - which formed one immediate match and one suspended until the end of the season - was ‘unduly lenient’.

Simonsen was accused of betting on 55 games over the last two years. (The Sun)

Cummings denies McDonald’s muffin melee

Hibs striker Jason Cummings has denied throwing a muffin at McDonald’s staff in an incident that saw him banned from one branch of the fast food chain.

It was alleged that the 19-year-old and his friends hurled a muffin while shouting abuse at customers in the Gorgie Road branch, with McDonald’s bosses barring him for ‘unacceptable behaviour’.

But a source close to the Hibs forward denied Cummings was involved directly in the fracas and that CCTV would prove it.

It is believed Cummings has been ‘upset’ by the allegations, and that he has the full support of Hibs boss Alan Stubbs and the club.

A man claiming to be a friend of Cummings said: “Jason is innocent. It was actually not Jason that threw the muffin. It was our mate.” (The Scotsman)