The Rumour Mill: Monday's football news and gossip

Published on Monday 8 March 2010 10:23

McGeady gets confused; Rangers confirm talks; Smith fumes at Fifa; plus the rest of today's news, gossip and spurious rumours.

• Mowbray gives McGeady a quick lesson in semantics

Rangers confirm takeover talks

There was much whispering over the weekend about the potential takeover of Rangers by a group called RFC Holdings (Guernsey) and what it would mean for the club - and more immediately, the manager Walter Smith and his assistant Ally McCoist.

Today Rangers confirmed that principal shareholder Murray International Holdings has begun discussions with London-based property developer Andrew Ellis about a takeover.

The statement read: "Following press speculation over the weekend, the board of Rangers Football Club plc confirms that it has been advised by Murray International Holdings Limited that MIH has entered into discussions with certain interested parties, including Andrew Ellis, about the interests of MIH in RFC that may lead to an offer or offers for the entire issued share capital of the club."

Old Firm fallout - day 8

In which Tony Mowbray has been forced to play down Aidan McGeady's comments about referee Dougie McDonald. Yesterday McGeady was quoted as saying: "It's safe to say he (McDonald) wasn't impartial the other day."

But that's alright, because Mowbray believes it was all just a question of semantics: "I had to think twice about what impartial means," he told reporters. "I think probably Aiden got baffled by the science of it or the words. If a journalist used the word impartial to him, I'm pretty sure he didn't know what it meant."

That's possibly the best excuse we've heard all season.

Sir Alex rubbishes takeover 'backing' report

In other takeover news, Sir Alex Ferguson has furiously rejected a Sunday newspaper report claiming he is supporting the Red Knights' bid to take over Manchester United.

He said: "It's absolute rubbish. There's not an ounce of truth in it."

Time will tell whether he's just saying that to appease his current employers or if he really does believe the Glazers are the best owners for the club. Hmmm.

Smith fumes at Fifa

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith was at the International FA Board (IFAB) meeting in Zurich on Saturday, but it proved to be an unhappy trip. The dignitaries in attendance voted against the adoption of goal-line technology in football, prompting Smith to comment:

"There was no problem with the technology. For me the sad thing is that decision could have been made four years ago. It's not based on the fact that technology's not good enough, just an ideological idea that technology does not belong in football."

Benjelloun wants to stay at Easter Road

Hibs striker Abdessalam Benjelloun is staying calm about his future with the club, despite not yet being offered a contract extension. The 25-year-old's deal expires in less than four months' time but as yet there have been no formal moves from Hibs to extend his stop-start Easter Road career.

Benji said: "I never worry in football. As I've said before, I want always to be here because I like the club, I like the fans, I like my colleagues."

DaMarcus looking for lurve

He's known for his sideline in jewellery, but now Rangers' American winger is looking to use his bling to snare a lady. Or if that doesn't work, a radio appeal.

The Daily Express reports that Beasley has asked Radio Clyde DJ Suzie Maguire to find him a "curvy brunette" after five years as a batchelor. Wannabe WAGs, you know what to do.

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