The Rumour Mill: Thursday’s football news and gossip

Published on 14/06/2012 10:07

In today’s Rumour Mill: Ally McCoist rumoured to be on verge of quitting Rangers; Players could be free to leave Ibrox; Wanyama agent claims player wants away; plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

Rangers liquidation

• Ally McCoist is reportedly poised to quit Rangers after discovering a plot to get oust him. The Rangers manager is understood to have found out that he would play no part in new owner Charles Green’s plans, and could announce his decision to leave within 48 hours. (Record)

• Rangers players will be free to walk away from the club if it goes into liquidation, according to a leading expert on employment law. They would also be free to accept offers to stay on at Ibrox under the new company which is set to take over Rangers but the choice would be theirs. (Scotsman)

• And some players are angry that Charles Green has failed to inform them about his plans to turn Rangers into a newco. (Record)

• Meanwhile, the SFA have written to FIFA seeking clarification on the contract status of Rangers players. (Mail)

• Charles Green will tell Rangers creditors at a meeting today that they will get nothing from the newco he will launch after he seals his takeover today. (Sun)

• Sky TV are ready to rip up their £110m deal to screen Scottish football if Rangers find themselves in the Third Division next season. Without the four Old Firm games per season, sources close to talks between the SPL and Sky say the broadcaster would have no commercial reason to stay in Scotland. (Record)

• Inverness chairman Kenny Cameron has pledged to consult fans over a newco Rangers application. (Scotsman)

• Former Rangers player Ronald de Boer has warned the SPL that it could face ruin without Rangers. He said: “The SPL can’t survive without Rangers. If you’re playing an away game against Kilmarnock, 60-70 per cent of the ground is filled with Rangers supporters.” (TalkSport)

• Rangers themselves will be able to participate in the vote on whether to allow them to compete in the SPL next season. (BBC)

• Celtic legend Charlie Nicholas believes the Parkhead club will have to put commercial concerns first and vote ‘yes’ for a Rangers newco in the SPL. (Express)

• Peterhead boss Jim McInally says demoting Rangers to the Third Division would kill his team’s hopes of automatic promotion next season. (Record)

• Former Rangers player John Brown has attacked Sir David Murray and Craig Whyte for their role in the Rangers debacle. He said: “They should be hanging their heads in shame for allowing this to happen.” (Sun)

• Confusion remains over who would replace Rangers if they were refused entry to the SPL, as they governing body does not have a rule stating policy on the matter. The likelihood is that it would be Dundee, but relegated Dunfermline could also make a case to be reinstated. (Sun)

Wanyama ‘seeks Celtic exit’

The agent of Victor Wanyama has confirmed that the Kenyan is ready to leave Celtic this summer to test himself in the Premiership. Liverpool, Stoke, QPR, Newcastle and West Ham have been linked with the midfielder, and agent Rob Moore said: “He has made the club aware that if they receive an offer from one of the big leagues he would like them to consider it.” (Record)

• But Celtic have told Wanywama he is not for sale and will not entertain any bids for him. (Sun)

Morris reunited with former boss at Bristol City

Jody Morris admitted he could not turn down the chance to be reunited with former St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes at Bristol City, despite his bond with the Perth club. The former Chelsea midfielder signed for the npower Championship club yesterday after his McDiarmid Park contract expired. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Everton boss David Moyes could be set for a surprise move to Tottenham Hotspur after the London club parted company with Harry Redknapp last night. (Various)

• Former Hearts midfielder Ian Black is a target for newly promoted Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday. (Record)