BRENDAN TO REDUCE HEAD COUNT AGAIN 

GARY MACKAY-STEVEN is poised to join Scott Allan through the Celtic exit as he heads for former club Ross County on a six-month loan deal.

Ex-Hibs midfielder Allan, bought last summer for a bargain £300,000, has reunited with Alan Stubbs at Rotherham for the entire campaign.

And winger Mackay-Steven, who arrived at Parkhead in a joint £2million deal with Stuart Armstrong in January 2015, is likely to join the Dingwall side where he kicked off his career in 2007 before spending two years at Liverpool.

He was released by the Anfield outfit after a series on injuries hampered his progress and joined Airdrie United in 2011 before moving to Dundee United.

The 25-year-old is still recovering from ankle surgery in the summer and has yet to feature for new boss Brendan Rodgers.

His last game for the Hoops was the disappointing Scottish Cup semi-final match at Hampden in April. He has made 38 appearances for the club.

Mackay-Steven and Allan’s loan deals will help free up squad space for Aston Villa’s winger Scott Sinclair who is expected to arrive in Glasgow ahead of Monday’s Champions League play-off signing deadline.