The Rumour Mill: Friday’s football transfer news and gossip
Juninho, pictured with Martin O'Neill at his unveiling in 2004. Picture: SNS
In today’s Rumour Mill: Celtic will not face EBT spotlight after SPL gives them all-clear over Juninho; Rudi Skacel may return to Hearts for third spell; Ian Durrant admits Third Division reality has been tough; plus all the rest of today’s football transfer news and gossip
Celtic complied with EBT rules, says SPL probe
Celtic will not be placed under investigation for EBT irregularities after the SPL revealed that the club only paid out the dividend to a player after he departed. Juninho, who left the club in 2005 after agreeing a deal to join Celtic the year before, received the EBT payment after leaving, unlike Rangers players who were paid EBTs while they were still under contract and playing in the SPL.
Rangers owner Charles Green has refused to cooperate with the inquiry, calling it a “Mickey Mouse event”.
An outcome on the EBT inquiry, headed by Lord Nimmo Smith, is expected by November 21. (Daily Record)
Rudi Skacel may return to Hearts
John McGlynn has refused to rule out the possibility of Rudi Skacel’s return to Hearts. Skacel, who remains a free agent after leaving the club in the summer, would be entering his third spell at Hearts should he put pen to paper on a new deal.
“There’s a possibility of Rudi Skacel coming back. I wouldn’t want to fool anybody. Jim Jefferies was sitting here and in walked Rudi. John McGlynn will make no difference. If Rudi wants to walk in the door, that will happen. Has the club been having talks? No and I haven’t spoken to him, but until he signs for somebody else there is always the possibility that he will walk back through that door.” (Daily Mail)
Ian Durrant: Third Division has been tough
Ian Durrant has admitted that life in the bottom tier of the SFL has been a struggle for Rangers. Rangers travel to Annan Athletic seeing their first away win of the season, a scenario Durrant says is hard to get to grips with.
“We have gone to ground we wouldn’t have envisaged going to, unless it was in the Cup, and it’s been a bit of a shock at times. We knew it would be hard adapting to where we are but we have to roll the sleeves up and get on with it.
“We basically have a new squad, so it’s been hard trying to bed everyone in and getting them to play the Rangers way.” (Daily Mail)
Kilmarnock deny Derek Riordan signing rumours
Kenny Shiels has denied rumours that Derek Riordan is about to sign for Kilmarnock. The former Hibs, Celtic and Scotland striker has been training at the Rugby Park outfit in order to maintain his fitness, but Shiels insists that his presence on the training ground will not lead to a deal.
“Derek is someone who we’d love to get but we’re close up, basically. I think that football people should support football people, as long as the numbers aren’t unwieldy. Unless a sponsor comes in to pay his wages - and I can’t see that happening - then he won’t be signing for us.” (Daily Mail)
Aberdeen target James McFadden
Aberdeen are making a third bid to sign former Motherwell and Everton striker James McFadden. Aberdeen are understood to be in the process of tabling a short-term deal worth £1,500 a week for the free agent, who knocked back the chance to join former club Motherwell last month.
IN BRIEF
• Mark Kerr has signed for Dundee after a deal with St Johnstone fell through. The midfielder had undergone a medical at the Saints but was set to play against Dundee United, but now the 30-year-old will line up for the Dens Park side this season.
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Weather for Edinburgh
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
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