Celtic icon tips Aberdeen for title challenge as SPFL boss 'doesn't want free transfers' amid Rangers job talk

The Scottish Premiership action returns this weekend and all eyes will be on both Celtic and Aberdeen to see if either side drops points in what has been a thrilling battle at the top of the table so far.

Rangers are currently six points adrift and there are now murmurs over the future of Philippe Clement. As we dive into upcoming Premiership action, let’s take a look at the latest headlines for the two Glasgow outfits.

Brown back Aberdeen to challenge Celtic

There is still nothing to separate Celtic and Aberdeen at the top of the table and while Rangers currently sit six points behind the pack leaders, discussions are being held over whether the Don will replace Philippe Clement’s side as the team to challenge Celtic this season.

Parkhead icon Scott Brown has weighed in on the matter as someone who has played for both clubs in this conversation. The Ayr United manager has backed the Hoops to extend their triumphant streak but has fill belief in Aberdeen to keep piling on the pressure as the campaign unfolds further.

“Aberdeen have been doing really well. Celtic had a lot of possession on Saturday and a lot of shots but fair play to Aberdeen in coming back after going 2-0 down. Celtic Park when they are 2-0 up is a hard place to kind of go and play and have that desire to go and score two goals. But they did,” Brown told BBC Scotland.

“Throughout the whole season do I expect Celtic to go and win the league? 100 percent. I think their squad and their quality in the final third is ruthless and too good for anyone in the league. Do I think Aberdeen will challenge them? Yes. I definitely do. They have a good new manager and a great fanbase up in Aberdeen.”

Rangers manager tipped

Amid the uncertainty of Clement’s future at Ibrox, former Rangers star Derek McInnes has been linked as the Belgian’s potential successor. However, this isn’t the first time this link has come into the limelight.

Speaking to Football Insider, Frank McAvennie revealed the current Kilmarnock boss previously snubbed the opportunity to manage his former side due to differences in how the two parties wanted things to unfold, particularly transfers.

“When he was at Aberdeen he got offered the Rangers job but he said no because he didn’t like the way they were talking. He had seen this coming, he wanted to bring his own players in, he doesn’t want anyone else, he doesn’t want free transfers. A club like Rangers need decent players and they’ve not got that.

“Derek is a proud man, if he’s going to have a go at it he’s going to want to do it on his own terms and that wasn’t on the table so he said no. That takes balls to say no because that’s his club, it took a big set of cojones to say no, it must have been hard.”