The Rumour Mill: Wednesday’s football news and gossip

Published on 20/06/2012 10:23

In today’s Rumour Mill: Celtic fans in boycott threat as Walter Smith walks away; Willie Miller departs Pittodrie in boardroom cull; Pat Fenlon desperate to sign James McPake; plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

Rangers liquidation latest

• Celtic fans have vowed to boycott any away games at clubs where chairmen have voted to admit a newco Rangers into the SPL. (Record)

• Malcolm Murray has promised that the newly constituted Rangers will disprove the doubts expressed by Walter Smith’s consortium, who abandoned their attempt to wrest control of the club from Charles Green and his fellow investors. (Various)

• Dave King has warned that Charles Green is only interested in profit and that the club faces “a hellish three years”. (Sun)

• The South African tycoon also revealed that his attempts to find common ground between Smith and Green’s consortia were in vain, because “they are incompatible business models”. (Mail)

• Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston admits the uncertainty over Rangers’ future has left him unsure of where his own club stands. (Record)

Celtic linked with Tranmere defender

Celtic are favourites to sign highly-rated Tranmere Rovers defender Danny Holmes. The 23-year-old full-back has also attracted interest from Rangers and Liverpool, but with the situation at Ibrox and the sacking of Kenny Dalglish, Celtic are in pole position to secure his services. (Record)

• Bolton have beaten Celtic to the signing of Leicester City defender Matt Mills. (Record)

• Fraser Forster has told Celtic that he is ready to sign a permanent deal. (Express)

Miller exits Aberdeen

Aberdeen legend Wille Miller is to be removed from the club’s board of directors following the announcement yesterday of a major shake-up of the Pittodrie club’s hierarchy. Gordon Yule, currently president of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, has been appointed executive vice chairman and will work alongside chief executive Duncan Fraser, while Miller is one of five directors leaving their posts. (Scotsman)

McPake priority for Hibs - Fenlon

Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon has confessed he would love to build his new-look side around James McPake – and wants more new signings just like last season’s on-loan skipper. Talks have taken place over a permanent move for the former Livingston defender, who made his international debut for Northern Ireland earlier this month against the Netherlands. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Ryan McGowan insists he wants to stay at Hearts despite interest from English Championship clubs. (Record)

• Former Hearts midfielder Adrian Mrowiec will be playing in German football next season after penning a deal with fourth division outfit Red Bull Leipzig. (Scotsman)

• Former Dunfermline captain Austin McCann has moved down to the second division after signing a one-year contract with Ayr United. (Scotsman)

• And Dunfermline are resigned to losing top scorer Andy Kirk. He has an option to remain for another year but is likely to move on. (Herald)

• David Graham has joined Morton on a one-year deal after leaving Dunfermline. (Herald)

• Dumbarton have signed former Airdrie United and Dunfermline midfielder Steven McDougall. (Record)

• Lee Wilkie last night insisted he’s raring to go as Montrose’s new assistant manager – and cited rookie boss Paul Hartley as an inspiration. (Scotsman)