Talking Baws

• Ash Taylor’s Wife Reveals His Tears Ever Since Liverpool Recalled Danny Ward

  Ash Taylor has been crying ever since Liverpool called back Danny Ward from his Aberdeen loan, according to his wife.

  India Taylor revealed the Dons defender’s sad reaction to the news that the goalkeeper and close pal was ending his spell at Pittodrie early.

  Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp decided that Ward had to return months before his season-long loan was set to end due to his strong form for the Ladbrokes Premiership side.

  Simon Mignolet and Adam Bogdan have hardly been convincing ahead of Ward in the Liverpool pecking order and it’s believed the Welshman could rival them for a starting spot on his return.

  Now Aberdeen are left to consider who will be their new number one - and Taylor is left to find a new best friend.

  Read what his wife had to say HERE via talkingbaws.com.

• Billy McNeill ‘Surprised’ to be Given Statue Alongside Other Celtic Legends

  Billy McNeill has admitted that he was surprised to be honoured with a statue next to Brother Walfrid, Jock Stein and Jimmy Johnstone outside Celtic Park.

  A statue of the 1967 European Cup-winning captain is to be unveiled outside Parkhead before the Hoops face Motherwell in the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership.

  It’s a deserved accolade for arguably Celtic’s greatest ever skipper and a former player who made a club record 790 appearances and also spent nine years as the manager over two different spells.

  But McNeill has revealed it was a surprise to be told by the club that he would be honoured in the same way as the three other Celtic legends who currently have statues outside the ground.

  Statues of Walfrid, Stein and Johnstone already sit outside the entrance of the stadium in tribute to their service to the club.

  Speaking to celticfc.net, McNeill said: “I am sure Saturday will be a fantastic day for myself and my family, if somewhat emotional.

  “I have said this before, but when Peter contacted me regarding the statue I was completely taken by surprise and to now think that I will be honoured alongside such great men as Brother Walfrid, Jock Stein and my pal Jinky, really does fill me with great pride.

  “Celtic has been in my blood and a part of my life for so many years and to be recognised in this way by the club I love is truly humbling.

  “Myself and my wife have already seen the statue and we think it is magnificent. I asked John the sculptor to make me as handsome as possible!

  “I would like to thank everyone for the best wishes they have sent me in relation to Saturday. It is a day I am really looking forward to.”

  Chief executive Peter Lawwell has confirmed that the statue will stand at the beginning of the Celtic Way – the path which leads visitors to the entrance of the stadium – and fans can see it from 1pm on Saturday.

• Celtic Fans Give Stefan Johansen a Ton of Abuse During Twitter Q&A

  Exactly what has happened to Stefan Johansen this season?

  The Norwegian midfielder arrived from his homeland in a transfer worth around £2 million in 2014, and has easily been one of Celtic’s best players since arriving at Parkhead, if not the best.

  As well as playing a big part in the club securing a league and cup double in 2015, he was also named the PFA Player of the Year for Scotland in May.

  But Johansen’s performances have tailed off during the 2015/2016 campaign, with many fans pointing the finger at him for the club’s up-and-down form since August.

  And after being linked with a move to the English Premier League in the past, Johansen’s stock has fallen so low that it remains unclear if his contract will be extended when it runs out in 2018.

  So, you can probably imagine the type of responses that a poorly judged #askstefan Q&A session via the Celtic Twitter page brought this afternoon.

  You can see the reaction to Johansen's Q&A HERE via talkingbaws.com.

• Every Gedion Zelalem touch in Rangers' win over Livingston

  Gedion Zelalem's loan move to Rangers is attracting interest from all over the world.

  Not only are the Gers supporters keen to see their new man in action, Arsenal fans - renowned for coming from all corners of the globe - are especially interested in checking up on how the playmaker is doing in Scotland.

  And there's curious spectators from the United States too given Zelalem is a USA Under-23 international.

  Like his performance in Rangers' 5-0 romp of Raith Rovers two weekends ago, the young Gunner was inspirational again as Mark Warburton's men beat Livingston 3-0 at Ibrox on Saturday.

  You can watch another Zelalem super show HERE.

• Ex-Hibs loanee Duncan Watmore graduates from Uni with first-class honours Economics degree

  If football ever doesn’t quite work out for Duncan Watmore, at least he can fall back on his impressive university degree.

  The 21-year-old Sunderland youngster has just qualified from university with a first class honours degree in economics and business management from Newcastle University.

  Former Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds and Bradford player David Wetherall, is the only other footballer in the hostory of the Premier League to achieve a first from university.

  Hibs fans will remember Watmore from his short spell on loan at the club.

  He scored one goal in 10 appearances as then boss Terry Butcher failed to keep the Hibees in the Scottish Premiership.

  Read the rest of this article via talkingbaws.com.

• Former Rangers Midfielder Arnold Peralta Found Murdered in Honduras

  Football fans are in shock after news broke that former Rangers player Arnold Peralta, 26, has allegedly been found murdered in Honduras.

  According to reports in his homeland, the defensive midfielder is said to have been shot in the city of La Ceiba, with a picture appearing to show Peralta’s body quickly going viral on social media sites.

  Local police confirmed Peralta’s death in the early hours of Friday morning, and whilst they refused to speculate on any concrete details surrounding the incident, Honduran newspapers claim he was attacked in the car park of a shopping mall and suffered several gun shot wounds to the upper body.

  Peralta was said to be accompanied by two fellow players from current club Club Deportivo Olimpia, but it is thought no one else was seriously injured.

  Capped 24 times by his country – and appearing at the 2012 Olympics – Peralta made 21 league appearances for Rangers over a two-year spell, scoring one league goal.

• James McArthur Reveals His Most Intimidating Opponent Ever..

  Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur has taken on some of world football’s most daunting challenges, and come up against some of the best the game has to offer.

  But you might be surprised by the most intimidating opponent he’s ever played against.

  Forget the usual names that spring to mind; the likes of Nemanja Vidic or Joey Barton.

  Speaking on the latest edition of the talkingbaws weekly football podcast, the Scotland international revealed that he was intimidated most by former St Johnstone, Hibs and St Johnstone defender Andy Millen.

  The now-retired defender had a reputation for being a no-nonsense character during his playing days, and McArthur recalled an encounter with Millen during his early playing days with Hamilton Accies.

  You can read what McArthur had to say HERE.

• Leigh Griffiths on Hearts Goal: I Love Scoring at That Place

  Leigh Griffiths rubbed more salt into Hearts wounds last night by taking to Twitter and insisting he loves scoring at Tynecastle.

  The boyhood Hibs fans broke the deadlock for Celtic in some style as the champions’ League Cup visit to Gorgie headed for extra-time.

  It was a beautiful solo goal which then saw Griffiths run from one side of the pitch to the other to celebrate in front of the Jambo supporters.

  It was surprising to see the striker earn a booking for that celebration, but he didn’t look too bothered.

  See what he had to say post-match HERE via talkingbaws.com.

• Mikel Arteta Believes Rangers Will Be Big Step For Gedion Zelalem.. if He Can Survive

  Mikel Arteta believes Gedion Zelalem can take a big step to breaking through at Arsenal with his Rangers loan spell.

  But the Spaniard does admit that he will have to prove he can survive with the Scottish giants.

  Zelalem has made eight appearances for the Ibrox since moving from North London in a loan deal until January.

  He’s impressed as Mark Warburton’s men sit top of the Scottish Championship having won all of their league matches.

  And Arteta believes the time at Rangers will be good for him due to the change in demands from Arsenal’s reserve team.

  See what Arteta had to say on Zelalem and playing at Rangers HERE via talkingbaws.com.

• Mixu Paatelainen Reacts to Celtic Hammering: What’s the Point in F*cking Training?

  Dundee United boss Mixu Paatelainen asked “what’s the point in fucking training?” after his side were thrashed 5-0 by Celtic at Parkhead today.

  A brace from Kris Commons and strikes from Leigh Griffiths, Dedryck Boyata and Scott Brown inflicted a ninth loss of the season on Dundee United, who continue their downward spiral toward a relegation battle.

  And the result forced Paatelainen to question why his players were unable to convert what they did all week in training into a match-day scenario.

  Read what Mixu had to say right HERE on talkingbaws.com. 

• No Maloney, McArthur or Griffiths.. is This Scotland’s Starting XI Tonight?

  It appears Shaun Maloney, James McArthur and Leigh Griffiths will miss out for Scotland against Poland in their must-win Euro 2016 qualifying clash tonight.

  The Scottish Sun have revealed the starting XI for Gordon Strachan’s men tonight – and the Daily Record have followed that up by publishing the exact same team.

  You can get the team plus the reasons the Tartan Army could be annoyed HERE.

• Rangers Kid Liam Burt Scores 25-Yard Beauty For Youth Team

  If you’re going to wear number 10 for a big club like Rangers, you need to be good.

  And that still applies if you’re appearing for the club’s youth team.

  Liam Burt was the man in possession of that jersey as the Gers Under-20 team took on Aberdeen at Brechin City’s Glebe Park – and he didn’t disappoint.

  Rangers won 5-2, but it was the midfielder’s goal which stood in the seven-goal show.

  Forcing Barry Robson into a mistake in midfield, Burt burst on to the ball and ran at the Dons defence before unleashing a beautiful 25-yard effort which hit the bar and found the net.

  It was a very impressive goal from Burt, as he showed any watching Gers fans what he could offer the first team with a tidy display.

  Whilst the youth team is in rude form, so too are the 1st team with the Gers now as short as 1/5 with Bet365 to seal a return to the Premiership by winning the SPFL Championship.

  Watch Burt's belter of a goal HERE via talkingbaws.com.

• Rangers New Head of Recruitment Frank McParland to Start Player Search in Scotland

  Frank McParland has revealed his first job as Rangers’ new head of recruitment is to finding Scottish players good enough to play for the first team.

  The Ibrox club have been operating without a chief scout or scouting network since 2012 and it’s understood that chairman Dave King and the Rangers board wanted to establish both as soon as possible after taking over the club.

  McParland’s arrival may have been drawn out longer than the club would have hoped, but he’s in place now and has already told fans what they can expect from him.

  Working alongside Warburton again – the pair were previously at Watford and Brentford together – McParland wants to begin his job by finding players in Scotland who are good enough for Rangers.

  And that must be music to the ears of fans who have seen considerable amounts of money spent over the years bringing in players from abroad.

  See what McParland has to say HERE via talkingbaws.com.

• Rangers Players Past and Present Pay Tribute to Arnold Peralta

  Rangers players past and present are paying tribute to Arnold Peralta today after the Honduran was killed in his homeland last night.

  In a shocking story, it was confirmed last night that he was shot dead in the city of La Ceiba as he shopped with two team-mates.

  Peralta spent two seasons at Ibrox as a player from 2013 and, although he was ultimately released by the club in January, he is fondly remembered by some of his ex-colleagues.

  The news of his death quickly spread through the UK late into last night and Gers fans have been in mourning since hearing it this morning too.

  See some of the messages from the Ibrox faithful HERE via talkingbaws.com.

• Robert Lewandowski Doesn’t Sound Like He’s Looking Forward to Facing Scotland

  Robert Lewandowski is without question the most in-form attacker, in fact player, in world football at the moment.

  The Bayern Munich striker has scored a whopping 12 goals in his last four games, with the first 10 coming in a measly 185 minutes of football.

  And whilst the Poland forward will be looking to break Scotland’s hearts on Thursday night when the two countries meet in a crunch Euro 2016 qualifying match, he has admitted he isn’t exactly thrilled by the prospect of coming up against Gordon Strachan’s men after taking a bit of kicking in the reverse fixture last year.

  Read Lewandowski's quotes on talkingbaws.com.

• Ronny Deila Confirms Carlton Cole is Still on Trial at Celtic Despite Injury

  Ronny Deila has confirmed Carlton Cole is still on trial at Celtic despite the former England international being injured.

  Cole is in his fourth week on trial at Parkhead, but there has been no decision on his future as he recovers from a calf injury.

  The Hoops are on the lookout for another striker with only Leigh Griffiths and Nadir Ciftci as options at the moment.

  There has also been reports that Manchester United youngster James Wilson will sign a five-month loan deal at the club in January.

  But Deila has had his say on Cole and you can read it HERE at talkingbaws.com.

• Ronny Deila Goes Back on Dedryck Boyata Red Card.. Says Referee Got it Wrong

  Ronny Deila believes Craig Thomson got Dedryck Boyata’s red card against Hamilton on Friday night wrong.

  The Celtic manager spoke immediately after his side’s 1-1 draw at Accies and insisted the referee got the incident correct.

  Boyata was given his marching orders after bringing down Carlton Morris through on goal three minutes before half time.

  But now Deila’s changed his mind after seeing it again, and said Thomson got it wrong.

  You can read everything Deila has to say HERE via talkingbaws.com.

• Royal Liege Call Celtic ‘High Class’ Club After Logan Bailly Payment

  Lower league Belgian team Royal Liege have described Celtic as a “high class” club after they made a development fee payment for current backup goalkeeper Logan Bailly.

  The Belgian goalie joined the Scottish Premiership champions in the summer from OH Leuven for an undisclosed fee.

  And it turns out Royal Liege were due a payment from the Hoops as part of his early development as a player at the club.

  As Liege told it, Celtic got in touch with them to organise the payment and then followed up with the cash three days later.

  You can see what Royal Liege had to say about Celtic HERE via talkingbaws.com.

• Scottish Teams Could Be Set to Meet in the US

  When you think of American sport, you think of some of the biggest brands on the planet.

  The Boston Red Sox, The New York Yankees, The LA Lakers. The names continue to slide off the tongue like an ice hockey puck off the ice in The Stanley Cup.

  And two more illustrious names could soon be heading to America after it was revealed that there are plans afoot to play a Scottish Premiership match in the US.

  See which teams are to be involved and get all the details HERE via talkingbaws.com.

• Twitter Reacts as Motherwell Fans Rage at Mark McGhee Return

  In case you hadn’t noticed by the onslaught of abuse, Mark McGhee has sealed a return to Motherwell as manager.

  The Scot has agreed a deal until May 17 to become boss at Fir Park for a second time – six years after leaving the club to take over Aberdeen.

  McGhee has been assisting Gordon Strachan with the Scotland national team since 2013 and last managed a team in 2012 during his unsuccessful spell at Bristol Rovers.

  He’s now back in the hotseat himself at a club he knows well and, at his first press conference tonight, McGhee spoke about how important it was to return to a club close to his heart.

  But that feeling isn’t necessarily reciprocated amongst the Well support.

  Judging by the furious reaction of some Motherwell fans, it looks like McGhee will have his work cut out in trying to persuade them that he’s the right man to replace Ian Baraclough and turn things around at the club.

  However, for the time-being, he’ll have to put up with a backlash from some utterly furious that he’s back at Fir Park.

  The guys at talkingbaws.com have rounded up some of the best Twitter reactions to McGhee's appointment HERE.