The Rumour Mill: Monday’s football news and gossip

Published on 22/10/2012 10:34

In today’s Rumour Mill: Celtic believe they can take something from Barcelona clash; Rangers chief reveals identity of backer; Hearts pay wages; plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

Lennon sizes up Barca

Neil Lennon took in Barcelona’s 5-4 win over Deportivo in La Coruna on Saturday night and heaped praise on Celtic’s Champions League opponents, despite their current defensive frailties. Lennon said: “The third goal, Messi’s first, was a thing of beauty. And his hat-trick goal? Well, you run out of superlatives to describe him.” But the Celtic boss still feels it was vital to take in the game: “It was good to see where they go off the ball because you don’t get to see that on TV. That will help me a lot with the way we set up.” (Record)

• Barca star Cesc Fabregas has warned his team-mates to improve their game or face an upset at home to Celtic on Tuesday night. The former Arsenal attacker said: “It will be a difficult game against Celtic, it’s always a tough game. We won against Depor but it’s clear we have to analyse their four goals. We simply have to improve on that because we conceded too often.” (Record)

• Celtic midfielder Beram Kayal believes Barca are not unbeatable: “The team has a lot of confidence just now and we always believe we can do something everywhere. Barcelona are the best team in the world but we’re going there believing we can do something.” (Various)

• Jordi Alba insists they will treat Celtic with respect: “Everyone knows Spanish football is superior to Scottish football but we respect Celtic as they have defeated Spartak in Moscow and we almost didn’t beat the Russians in Barcelona.” (Record)

• Barcelona may be without up to four key players for the game. Sergio Busquets is suspended, Carles Puyol and Dani Alves are injured and Gerard Pique is struggling to overcome a foot injury. (BBC)

• Celtic have received a double boost with the news that James Forrest and Kris Commons are both set to be fit after missing the St Mirren match. Skipper Scott Brown should also be available after a painkilling injection for a hip injury. (Sun)

• Former Barcelona manager Johan Cruyff insists Celtic deserve their return to the Champions League stage, but insists the players must believe in themselves. The Dutch legend said: “I know Celtic have bought wisely and they have developed some of their own players. That is why they are back at this level... Celtic have to work very hard and believe they can achieve something.” (Mail)

Rangers chief reveals death threats

Charles Green has revealed how he was targeted with death threats after he took over Rangers in May, with counter-terrorism experts advising him to change his address every week to stay safe. The Ibrox chief executive said: “I got death threats. These were real times for concern.” But while Green revealed he experienced regular confrontation, he said he does not expect any remorse from the fans: “The thing I do get sad about is when these fans come up to me and ask for autographs or a photo with me or a handshake to thank me for saving the club, they are actually apologising... I’ve told them they don’t have to apologise because I understand.” (Sun)

• Green has also revealed that the biggest single shareholder in the new company is not the man who has been credited as being so for the past three months. Previously, the man behind Blue Pitch Holdings, which owned 23 per cent of the firm, was thought to be Dubai-based businessman Arif Naqvi. But Green issued a statement at the weekend admitting that the man behind Blue Pitch was not, in fact, Naqvi, but little-known Middle Eastern lawyer Mazen Houssami. (Mail)

Hearts pay wages, eventually

Six Hearts players and manager John McGlynn received their overdue wages first thing this morning. Club officials processed salaries shortly before 7.30am to bring everyone on the club’s payroll up to date following last week’s delay. A delay in receipt of revenues has been blamed for the hold-up, with Hearts reluctant to divulge further 
details ahead of today’s SPL meeting at Hampden Park. (Evening News)

SPL to discuss voting structure

The Scottish Premier League could be set for a change of direction if clubs agree to a new voting structure when they meet at Hampden today. At the moment 11 clubs must vote in favour of any new motion before it is passed, but with Rangers languishing in the Third Division there is now a chance to change this to a 9-3 voting system. (Various)

Levein to learn fate

Craig Levein is expected to learn his fate this week when the Scottish Football Association board question him on Scotland’s desperate results in the World Cup qualifying campaign and decide whether he should continue as manager. (Various)

• Former Scotland defender David Weir has rejected the idea that drastic change is needed to end the national team’s long wait for qualification for a major tournament. Weir said: “It is difficult but the players obviously believe in the manager and believe what he’s preaching to them and his structure, and that goes a long way. Things have conspired against us, we have probably not had the rub of the green.” (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Aberdeen look set to face an SPL probe after fans threw missiles on to the pitch during the 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice. (Express)