The Rumour Mill: Thursday’s football news and gossip

Published on 11/10/2012 10:44

In today’s Rumour Mill: SPL chief says league has coped well as Rangers announce floatation plans; Celtic midfielder plays down Man United rumours; Wales v Scotland latest; plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

Rangers in bid to float on AIM Market

Rangers announced today that they are to seek permission to float on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange. The Ibrox club are looking to raise up to £20m as they bid to return to the top flight of Scottish football. (Various)

Wanyama ‘happy’ at Celtic

Victor Wanyama insists he is content at Celtic, despite speculation linking him with a big-money move to Manchester United. The midfielder said: “These are just rumours. My focus remains with Celtic, who I want to help in both the domestic games and the Champions League. Leaving Celtic will not be easy as they cannot just let me go easily as people think. But I am happy and looking forward to continuing playing.” (Sun)

• Barcelona are appealing the two-match ban that will keep Sergio Busquets out of the back-to-back Champions League matches against Celtic. (Record)

Doncaster: SPL has coped without Rangers

Scottish Premier League chief executive Neil Doncaster believes the top flight has adapted well to the absence of Rangers this season. He said: “The SPL and the clubs have adapted remarkably well to what people really couldn’t ever see happening.” Doncaster also said the retention of commercial partners has been vital: “All of our major partners and major sponsors, they’ve stuck with the SPL and that’s enabled the clubs and the league to go forward with huge confidence. People had the opportunity to walk away over the summer and chose not to. They’ve stuck with the league and that’s important.” (BBC)

McCoist’s signing policy under fire

Former Rangers player Derek Ferguson believes the signing policy of Ally McCoist is wrong and the Ibrox boss should have brought in more homegrown talent. Ferguson said: “I was amazed Ally brought in a Brazilian, a Greek and a French guy. I would have looked at bringing in good First Division players who had sampled life in the Second and Third... He would have been better going with Scottish players who know what it is all about.” (Record)

Wales v Scotland latest

• Wales coach John Hartson is confident Gareth Bale and Adam Matthews will both be fit for
tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier against Scotland. Hartson confirmed Tottenham wide man Bale and Celtic defender Matthews – neither of whom had taken part in the Dragons’ training session yesterday – were nursing heel and ankle problems respectively, but stressed the pair are expected to be available. (Scotsman)

• But Celtic and Wales midfielder Joe Ledley fears Scotland will target Welsh stars like Bale: “There’s going to be a lot of tackles flying in and it will be like a derby game.” (Sun)

• Celtic boss Neil Lennon, who is travelling to Cardiff to watch up to six of his players in action, agrees that it is likely to be a physical match: “There was plenty of banter flying around but I hope there is not too much fur flying.” (Sun)

• Charlie Mulgrew is fit and ready to make his first competitive appearance in a Scotland jersey against Wales tomorrow night, although he is unsure what kind of role. “I don’t know where I will be playing,” said Mulgrew. “It is just wherever the manager sees me playing. I have not spoken too much to him about it.” (Scotsman)

• Christophe Berra is bracing himself for a Wales backlash in Cardiff tomorrow night. The Scotland defender said: “It will be a nervy game, but there will be more ­pressure on them with them being at home and having no points, so we need to go there and try and get a win.” (Scotsman)

• Wales goalkeeper Jason Brown is likely to have played his last game for Aberdeen, after publicly criticising Craig Brown for leaving him out of the starting line-up this season. (Sun)

• Chris Coleman could lose his job if Wales don’t win in Cardiff tomorrow night. Welsh FA chief executive Jonathan Ford said: “Some points on the board is a bit of a must in my mind.” (Express)

McGlynn waits for Skacel news

Hearts manager John McGlynn insists he will play the waiting game over any plans to try and sign Rudi Skacel for a third time after the Tynecastle legend returned to the club on a casual basis. McGlynn said: “It’s between Rudi and the football club and whoever else. Rudi has said he is a tourist. He says he is across here taking up the good weather, the scenery and everything like that. Heart of Midlothian Football Club have offered him training facilities.” (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor insists manager Derek Adams has cash available for January reinforcements as the Staggies bid to survive their historic first season in the SPL. He said: “There is scope to bring in players to the squad.” (Scotsman)

• Kilmarnock have offered a new improved contract to Rory McKenzie, 19, after he broke into the first team. (Express)

• Former Rangers and Motherwell striker Francis Jeffers is in talks to join Maltese side Floriana. (Record)

• Burton O’Brien, who has been without a club since leaving Falkirk in May 2011, is training with Livingston. (Express)

• Former Celtic star Chris Sutton, 39, has come out of retirement to play with his son’s team, Wroxham, in the Ryman Division One North. (Express)