DERBY AXE THREAT TO HIBS PAIR

CELTIC last night officially moved to join Rangers at the front of the Christmas shopping queue for Kevin Thomson and Scott Brown - as relations between the pair and Hibs boss John Collins reached a new low.

Record Sport understands the Easter Road manager has threatened to axe both players for the Boxing Day derby against Hearts at Tynecastle following two days of furious bust-ups behind the scenes.

But, as the situation deteriorates, Celtic have made their move by slapping in an official note of interest in the midfielders.

Rangers did the same earlier this month when they made clear their intentions to bid for Scottish football's hottest properties when the transfer window opens next month.

Now their Parkhead rivals have done the same and Celtic's major shareholder Dermot Desmond is believed to have taken a personal interest in the swoop.

The Irish tycoon has become involved in the negotiations - a move which signals the strength of Celtic's desire to pip Rangers to the Easter Road stars.

Both Thomson and Brown sought a meeting with Collins on Thursday after the club dismissed a £3million joint bid from Charlton.

And that showdown sparked a furious reaction from Collins, according to the players' agent Willie McKay.

Last night he revealed the Hibs boss launched a second angry outburst at club captain Thomson yesterday and both players now fear they are likely to be excluded from next week's festive cracker against their city rivals.

McKay said: "Kevin and Scott asked to see the manager to discuss the Charlton offer. They wanted to ask why he did not inform them of the bid or give them any reasons for it being rejected.

"John Collins reacted very angrily to this request, which took the players by surprise. He did more than threaten them - he told them they won't be playing against Hearts.

"That has devastated them because, despite everything, they have the good of the club at heart.

"In fact, as we've said before, they'd be delighted to stay at Hibs and willing to take half the wages they could expect elsewhere to enable the club to make that happen.

"But Hibs have made it clear they won't discuss new deals while saying £3m is not an acceptable sum for them.

"You can understand then the boys' frustration and that will only intensify if the club continue to treat them in this manner. To threaten them with their places in the derby match is just the final straw."

Taken from the Daily Record