The Rumour Mill: Friday’s football news and gossip

Published on 12/10/2012 10:29

In today’s Rumour Mill: Charles Green refuses to bury hatchet with SPL; Wales match is not ‘must-win’ for Craig Levein; Celtic cleared over banner; plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

Green ‘can’t make up with SPL’

Rangers chief executive Charles Green yesterday ramped up his hostility to the idea of his club ever joining the Scottish Premier League as he set out plans for a share issue he claims he will personally guarantee raises £20 million. “I want to play in the top league [but don’t assume that] will always be the SPL,” he said. “The SPL threw us out the league. They then stole our money that was due for last year [in prize pot and centralised revenues that were due to oldco Rangers] and are pursuing us to strip titles. It’s like coming home, finding your wife in bed with the milkman, asking for a divorce and then a week later asking: ‘Can you forgive me? We’ll make up’. I can’t make up. If the Rangers fans can make up, get on with it. But Charles Green will never forget what the SPL has done and that’s why I am anti going back where we were told we weren’t wanted.” (Various)

• Rangers manager Ally McCoist yesterday welcomed plans to restore the club to the pinnacle of Scottish football, but urged caution over expecting a quick fix. “I don’t believe for a minute we’re out of the woods yet, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and we’re nearly there,” he said. (Various)

• Rangers have received a compensation fee for Rhys McCabe, who left for Sheffield Wednesday during the summer upheaval. (Express)

• Maurice Edu claims he made sure the Ibrox club got a transfer fee after he joined Stoke City. (Various)

World Cup qualifiers

• Scotland manager Craig Levein has denied tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Wales in Cardiff carries greater significance than any of his previous 22 games in charge. “I don’t feel under any additional pressure,” insisted Levein. “Every manager is under pressure to get results and try and qualify. That’s part of the job.” (Scotsman)

• Levein also played down suggestions that this is a must-win game for Scotland: “There is no point in me going into the players and saying, ‘We need to win this game’. What kind of psychology is that?” (Record)

• Spurs star Moussa Dembele is confident Belgium can win in Serbia tonight because he knows all their English-based players. (Various)

• Macedonia playmaker Goran Pandev is hopeful that his side can convert their chances and record a first victory in Group A against Croatia tonight. (Mail)

Celtic cleared over zombie banner

Celtic have been found not guilty by the Scottish Football Association on all four charges relating to an alleged offensive banner displayed by fans during a pre-season friendly against Norwich City at Parkhead. The SFA issued a notice of complaint alleging four rule breaches over the banner relating to Rangers, which appeared in the Celtic support in the 24 July contest in Glasgow. (Various)

• Celtic striker Georgios Samaras will play for Greece against Bosnia on Friday evening, despite carrying an injury. (Record)

IN BRIEF

• Gordon Chisholm, the East Fife assistant manager who has been in charge in the absence of ill manager Gordon Durie, has unexpectedly quit the club.

• East Stirling are hoping to sign St Mirren youngster Jamie McKernon on loan to strengthen their midfield. (Express)

• Former Scotland star Colin Hendry insists he has no intention of becoming Blackburn boss. (Mail)

• Falkirk have been fined £11,500 for failing to pay their tax bills on time. (Various)

• Inverness boss Terry Butcher is looking to add to his squad after Celtic defender Andre Blackman’s loan deal was terminated. (Mail)