The Rumour Mill: Friday's football news and gossip

Published on Friday 5 March 2010 08:49

Celtic amazed over appeal rejection; Deek discontent over pitches; Bazza stalls on Scotland future; plus the rest of today's news, gossip and moaning.

• Celtic are "amazed" that their appeal was rejected

Celtic take SFA off their Christmas card list

Or, Old Firm fall-out - Day Six. Celtic's war of words with the SFA continued last night, with the club issuing another web statement in response to referee Dougie McDonald's decision not to reverse his red card for Scott Brown in Sunday's derby.

The statement read: "We are amazed at this decision and believe it is the wrong one. Given the general consensus that the initial decision was incorrect and the availability of supporting video evidence, at the very least, the incident should have been referred to a separate review panel."

This one could go on. And on. And on.

Meanwhile, the Glasgow club have found a new subject of discontent: the pitch at Falkirk.

Riordan in pitched battle

Celtic aren't the only ones waging a turf war. Hibs striker Derek Riordan has been complaining about the quality of the surfaces in the SPL this winter:

"I think you've got to blame the pitch, I think if we play on a good decent pitch we would give anyone a game but I think the pitches are letting us down recently."

Jefferies wants appeals review

Hearts boss Jim Jefferies has echoed Celtic's frustrations, and believes the SFA's appeals process needs to be drastically overhauled after Laryea Kingston's plea to have his red card against Aberdeen wiped out was rejected.

Jefferies told the Daily Express: "It's hard for a referee to change his mind. I feel it should go to an independent panel."

Bazza keeps Levein waiting

As Craig Levein enjoys the post-match praise following his not entirely convincing but successful first test in charge of Scotland, former midfield fixture Barry Ferguson has stated that he wants to focus on Birmingham City before making any decision on his future at international level.

The 32-year-old, who was banned over the Boozegate scandal, said: "I've got to give Birmingham everything I have and then, at the end of the season, I will sit down and think it through."

Ferguson also revealed his embarrassment over his dug-out display with Allan McGregor: "Every time it is shown, I want to smash the TV." Careful Barry, don't go all Travis Bickle on us now.

Confusion over Kyle

Kevin Kyle's future at Kilmarnock is unclear, following his trial with Russian side Spartak Nalchik. The big striker said he was "happy" with his performance in a 3-0 win over Zhemchuzhina Sochi, but the Nalchik assistant coach Kazbek Nakhushev said:

"We still want to look at him closely. He did not impress in this game, but it is hard to make a firm judgment after one match when he didn't know the players."

But after the Foreign Office's warning over the dangers of life in that part of Russia which we mentioned in yesterday's Rumour Mill, maybe it's for the best Kev.

Larsson to replace Mowbray?

Steady on. While the pressure mounts on Celtic manager Tony Mowbray, it seems club icon Henrik Larsson wouldn't quite be ready for the job. The Swedish legend told STV Sports Centre: "I don't know about managing Celtic one day. We'll have to wait and see. I like to take things one year at a time."

Next year then.

Dixon agrees new two-year Tannadice deal

Paul Dixon has signed a new two-year deal with Dundee United which keeps him at Tannadice until the end of May 2012. The full-back was one of a number of players whose contract expires next year and the club was keen to secure his services in the long term.

IN BRIEF

• Fabio Capello has spoken to Sergei Fursenko, the head of the Russian Football Union, twice in recent weeks, but sources close to the England manager categorically dismissed reports last night that he might be tempted to accept an offer to move to Moscow to coach its national team. (The Times)

• Fabio Capello will attempt to talk Wayne Bridge out of international retirement before he names his provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup finals on May 11, it emerged yesterday. (The Independent)

• Joe Cole fears a complete breakdown in his relationship with Roman Abramovich will result in the midfielder leaving Chelsea at the end of the season. (Daily Mail)

• Ryan Shawcross is still waiting to hear whether Aaron Ramsey will meet him to accept a personal apology for the challenge that snapped the Arsenal midfielder's right leg in two places. (Daily Mail)

• Ian Wright last night launched an astonishing attack on Manchester City over their treatment of son Shaun Wright-Phillips. (Daily Star)

• Liverpool have denied reports that the Abu Dhabi royal family are considering adding to their Premier League portfolio by buying the Anfield club. (Daily Star)

• John Terry has claimed that the spirit in the England dressing room has not been damaged by the scandal that prompted Fabio Capello to strip him of the captaincy. (Daily Telegraph)

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