The Rumour Mill: Monday’s football transfer news and gossip

Published on 30/07/2012 10:35

In today’s Rumour Mill: Charles Green in bigotry blast at SPL clubs, McCoist eyes up signing targets and top flight clubs compete in pre-season friendlies.

Rangers newco latest

• Rangers chief executive Charles Green claims bigots were behind their exit from the SPL. He said: “Some of it has been driven by bigotry, some of it has been driven by jealousy and some of it has been driven by all the wrong motives. (Sun)

• On the day Rangers began life as a Third Division club with a 2-1 victory over Brechin City in the Ramsdens Cup, chairman Malcolm Murray has warned that Scottish Premier League teams could be driven by financial necessity into demanding league reconstruction. “I think we have to be careful about what we say,” said Murray, when asked whether the ripple effects of Rangers’ position at the bottom tier of the game will continue to impact on clubs in the SPL. “I hope that’s not the case but there has to be a reasonable probability [of reconstruction sooner rather than later]. We will be back at the highest level, and I don’t think it will be as long as some people say.” (Scotsman)

• In light of the 12-month transfer embargo which comes into effect at the end of next month, Rangers manager Ally McCoist said that he “needs to build a squad for the next 18 months to two years, and we have to do that in the next four weeks.” (Various)

• American internationalist Alejandro Bedoya has indicated his desire to move on, most probably to the Swedish club Helsingborgs. “I tried to talk him out of it. It looks like I might have been unsuccessful,” said McCoist. (Various)

• Among those McCoist is seeking to bring into the squad are former Kilmarnock and Hibs striker Dean Shiels and Greek midfielder Pantelis Kafes. According to McCoist, both players want a deal to be done, but “we are not over the line yet”. (Various)

• Charles Green says Rangers will be in a stronger and better financial situation than most clubs in Scottish football come the end of the season

Villa-Boas hits out at Adam

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has hit out at Liverpool and Scotland international Charlie Adam for a heavy challenge on Gareth Bale in their goal-less pre-season friendly in the US. (Scotsman)

Pre-season friendly round-up

• Aberdeen were applauded off the park yesterday following a 1 -1 draw with German Second Division side St Pauli

• A wonder goal from Kris Commons saw Celtic draw 1 - 1 with Inter Milan on Saturday

• Hibernian clawed back a two goal deficit earn a 2 - 2 draw with Huddersfield on Saturday

• St Johnstone recorded a 2 - 1 victory over Bristol City on Saturday

• A strike by John Sutton saw Hearts seal a 1 - 0 win over Rotherham United on Saturday

IN BRIEF

• Sunderland have formalised their interest in the former Wolves striker Steven Fletcher by tabling a bid. (Scotsman)