The Rumour Mill: Monday’s football news and gossip

Published on 05/03/2012 10:40

In today’s Rumour Mill: Lee McCulloch offers to play for free as Rangers job cuts to be announced; Kilmarnock boss targeted by former club; Neil Lennon hits back at TV pundit; plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

RANGERS IN CRISIS

• The delayed announcement of job cuts at Rangers is likely to be delivered by the end of play today. According to one club source yesterday, the decisions “will become crystallised during the course of the day”. (Scotsman)

• Lee McCulloch has offered his services for free until the club emerges from its financial crisis. The veteran’s offer to waive a salary of around £20,000 a week puts pressure on administrators Duff and Phelps, as the midfielder was understood to be on their list of savings targets. (Record)

• At least eight Rangers players could be axed today, after manager Ally McCoist held talks with captain Steven Davis, Lee McCulloch and Allan McGregor. Administrators Duff and Phelps had left it to the players to find the £1million per month savings, but with no agreement they will now make their own cuts. (Express)

• Rangers administrators asked the players to give up wages they are entitled to for facing Hearts on Saturday. (Sun)

• Paul Murray, who is leading a consortium to save Rangers from liquidation, held talks with the administrators over the weekend, urging them to limit the job losses. (Record)

Kenny Shiels has emerged as a contender for the managerial vacancy at Tranmere, after the struggling League One side yesterday sacked Les Parry. The Kilmarnock boss spent three seasons at Prenton Park before quitting to become Mixu Paatelainen’s assistant at Rugby Park two years ago. (Sun)

Neil Lennon has hit back at TV pundit Craig Burley over remarks the former Scotland player made following Rangers’ ten-point deduction for entering administration. “I believe one of your reporters said that the title is devalued,” Lennon said in a live interview on ESPN. “The only thing that devalues the Scottish game is people like him on your channel.” (Various)

• Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley has backed his side to bounce back after their long winning run came to an end against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Raith Rovers have secured the loan signings of Hearts duo Jason Thomson and Johnny Stewart.

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