The Rumour Mill: Tuesday’s football news and gossip

Published on 07/08/2012 09:19

In today’s Rumour Mill: Ally McCoist hits out at Scotland coach; Rangers run the rule over trialists; Celtic prepare for plastic surface in Helsinki; plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

Levein’s no to newco

The first Scotland squad of a new era in Scottish football was announced yesterday, and as expected it contained no players from newco Rangers. Craig Levein’s options have been further restricted after he acknowledged yesterday that it would be “difficult” for him to select players who are operating in the fourth tier of the Scottish game. (Scotsman)

• Ally McCoist last night criticised Levein’s decision to leave out Lee Wallace. He said: “The fact Lee’s now in the Third Division shouldn’t close the international door on him. I would argue we’ll have a better quality of player here at Murray Park than some of the boys in the Scotland squad.” (Record)

• Although he has not been included in the squad named by Levein yesterday, Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher will train with his international team-mates ahead of next week’s friendly clash with Australia after what has been described as a “dramatic improvement” in his health. (Various)

• Rangers duo Dean Shiels and Andy Little have been called up for Northern Ireland’s friendly with Finland next week. (Various)

Matthews not concerned by plastic pitch

Adam Matthews insists he is not concerned by having to play on a plastic pitch when Celtic take on HJK Helsinki in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier. He said: “I don’t think the artificial pitch will be too much of an issue. We trained on one today to get used to it and we’ve just got to go there and get the win. We’re not too worried about it. This will be my first competitive game on plastic since I was a youth-team player but we believe we can do a job on any pitch and we’re looking forward to the game.” (Record)

Rangers close in on Sandaza

Rangers are close to completing the signing of former St Johnstone and Dundee United striker Francisco Sandaza. Manager Ally McCoist said: “I’m hopeful there will be a deal done very, very soon. The best way to put it is that Francisco hasn’t signed yet but we are very keen to get him.” (Various)

• Brazilian trialist Emilson
Cribari could also be set for a move after arriving in Glasgow on Saturday, while former Hearts strikers Craig Beattie and Kevin Kyle are both in contention for deals. (Various)

Murray denies Rangers cheating

Former Rangers owner Sir David Murray has denied cheating took place during his stewardship of the club after the Scottish Premier League appointed an independent commission last week to investigate alleged undisclosed payments to players. In a statement released yesterday, Murray also accused the SPL of attempting to “retrospectively rewrite laws to incorporate items not previously covered”. (Various)

• Former Rangers manager Alex McLeish believes that talk of stripping the stricken Glasgow club of cups and championships is below the belt and the 53-year-old has warned that anyone wishing to relieve him of the medals he collected during his four-and-a-half seasons at Ibrox will have a real fight on their hands. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Dundee United’s Europa League opponents Dinamo Moscow are in crisis after coach Sergey Silkin quit just three weeks into the season. (Various)

• St Johnstone boss Steve Lomas still wants to sign Preston’s Jamaican winger Keammar Daley. (Sun)

• East Stirling have signed Albion Rovers goalkeeper Ryan McWilliams on loan until January. (Record)

• Stirling Albion have signed former Queen’s Park goalkeeper David Crawford. (Record)