Rumour Mill: SPL revamp |James McFadden| Leigh Griffiths

League revamp vote could be delayed until summer

The decision over the future of league football in Scotland could be dragged into the summer as a vote may be delayed until May.

Talk over the proposals for the 12-12-18 structure are still ongoing, meaning the league would be facing a tight timescale to implement any changes ahead of next season.

The Mail on Sunday quotes one source as saying: “We are currently working over the detail. I think it will go through the boards during March and a vote will be held in April at the earliest, but it could take place in early May. (Mail on Sunday)

McFadden hits out at Levein

James McFadden has slammed ex-Scotland manager Craig Levein, saying that he was made a scapegoat after the national side’s poor performance against Liechtenstein in 2010.

“I wasn’t partly blamed for the performance against Liechtenstein, I was blamed for it. There wasn’t one good performance that whole night, except maybe James Morrison when he came on. At half-time he could have swapped all 11 players if he was allowed to, but I seemed to get picked on.”

McFadden also expressed anger at the lack of contact from the Scotland management after he suffered a serious knee injury.

“That was disappointing for me. You’d think if one of your players, and it doesn’t matter if you like them or not, gets a serious injury then you’d like to find out how they are. The most disappointing thing for me was he was in the papers saying ‘if anyone knows how he feels, it’s me – I’ll be in touch with him’ and he never was.” (Various)

Robertson hails Russell and Griffiths as the future

Hibs midfielder Scott Robertson believes the future of the Scottish strike force lies with his teammate Leigh Griffiths and Dundee United’s Johnny Russell.

As the two young guns, who have 36 goals between them this season, go head to head today at Tannadice, Robertson said the pair could some day pull on Scotland shirts.

“Johnny is on a great run of form and Leigh is also banging in the goals.”

He added: “They’re both still only 22 and if they keep doing what they’re doing there is no reason why they can’t play for Scotland in future.” (Sunday Mail)

Hearts miss Zaliukas

Hearts boss John McGlynn admits that his side are missing the presence of injured skipper Marius Zaliukas, after sloppy defending saw the Edinburgh side lose 3-2 to Inverness.

Zaliukas recently ruptured his ankle ligaments, while McGlynn also noted the departure of defender Ryan McGowan when talking about the loss.

“The goals we lost were criminal”, he said. “It was three set-pieces.”

“That’s where you miss guys like Zaliukas, who would have defended those set-pieces. You can’t keep replacing guys like him and McGowan who would have been big players at these situations. (Express)

Ledley wants to extend Celtic stay

Joe Ledley says he wants to stay at Celtic, and hopes to sign a new contract to extend his time there.

The Welsh midfielder will be out of contract in June 2014, but now wants a new deal to stay at Parkhead.

“Talks are ongoing,” he said. “Hopefully I can stay for a long time, Maybe we can sort it out at the end of the season.” (Sunday Mail)

Dons ‘were robbed’

Aberdeen manager Craig Brown believes the Dons were robbed after a draw with Kilmarnock.

Brown’s anger comes after referee Euan Norris snubbed calls for a penalty and instead booked Niall McGinn for diving after Cammy Bell’s challenge.

“It was a spot kick and a red card,” Brown said. “ I’ve seen ti back and it looked a definite penalty.”

He added: “The booking for Niall just rubbed salt into our wounds because he’s an honest boy and never takes a dive.” (Express)