The Rumour Mill: Friday’s football news and gossip

Published on 25/05/2012 11:01

In today’s Rumour Mill: Gary Hooper promises to see out Celtic contract; Rangers fans raise concerns over Duff & Phelps; Hearts ‘want to keep Paulo Sergio’; plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

Hooper happy at Celtic but has Barca in his sights

Gary Hooper insists that he is content to see out his current contract at Celtic, despite interest from a host of clubs, the latest of which to be named are Galatasaray in Turkey. The 24-year old said that he is “happy at Celtic” and is looking forward to the Champions League next season, although he did reveal that his ambition is to move on to the English Premier League and - eventually - Barcelona. (Record)

• Celtic have been linked with Icelandic striker Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson, who has scored nine goals in just ten games for Norwegian side Lillestrom since moving from homeland club IK Akranes. (Sun)

Rangers takeover

• The president of the Rangers Supporters Assembly has expressed fears that concerns raised over Duff & Phelps’ administration of the Ibrox club could prompt the Charles Green-led consortium to cancel their proposed takeover. Andy Kerr said: “Because of the critical timing of where we are in the process, there is an anxiety now about where it would leave Rangers if that process had to be interrupted. Where would it leave our current bidder? That’s what I’d like to get to the bottom of quickly.” (Scotsman)

• Rangers have been warned that they face “serious sanctions” if they do not hand over paperwork to the SPL in the investigation over dual contracts. (Mail)

• Maurice Edu has welcomed the prospect of some much-needed respite from Rangers’ problems after enduring a difficult end to the season. In Florida for the USA’s friendly match against Scotland, Edu said: “It’s good to get back among this group of guys. The things that are going on at Rangers will hopefully sort themselves out pretty soon. It’s kind of like a little escape from the situation right now.” (Scotsman)

• Edu’s compatriot and Rangers team-mate Carlos Bocanegra insists he is happy to remain at Ibrox - as long as the new owners do not ask him to take any further pay cuts. (Record)

• Motherwell say they have yet to decide whether they would let a newco Rangers back into the SPL.

Fenlon to hold talks with defender

Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon is set to have face-to-face talks with Tim Clancy in a bid to finalise a move for the defender, who rejected a contract offer from Motherwell. A source close to the deal said: “Pat will want to have a chat with Tim and vice-versa. Tim has a couple of options and he will need to talk to the two clubs.” (Scotsman)

Sergio is Hearts’ ‘top priority’

Agreeing a new contract with Scottish Cup-winning manager Paulo Sergio is now Hearts’ top priority, director Sergejus Fedotovas said yesterday at the club’s agm. “The board sees priority No 1 to resolve the [managerial] situation,” Fedotovas said. “We see Paulo Sergio as a manager we want to keep at the club, and we are negotiating to extend his contract. I believe in a short time we will be able to update you on progress.” (Scotsman)

• Fedotovas also said that Vladimir Romanov remains committed to running Hearts until a suitable new owner can be found: “The major shareholder has stated his wish to dispose of the club when a bidder agrees terms. Until then we continue under the ownership of Ukio Bankas Investment Group [Ubig] and Mr Romanov.” (Scotsman)

• Hearts are weighing up a move for in-form Auchinleck Talbot goalkeeper Andy Leishman. The SPL club have been keeping tabs on the 24-year-old since his stand-out Scottish Cup performance at Tynecastle in January. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Inverness boss Terry Butcher has set a deadline of next Thursday for his out-of-contract players - including Gregory Tade, Ross Tokely, Thomas Piermayr and Jonny Hayes - to sign on again. (Express)

• Raith Rovers have signed Hearts full-back Jason Thomson, who spent two months on loan at Starks Park at the end of last season. (Record)