The Rumour Mill: Monday's football news and gossip

Published on Monday 2 May 2011 11:09

In today's Rumour Mill: Whyte wants Rangers takeover wrapped up this week; PFA award winners announced; Pressley signs on for another year at Falkirk; plus the rest of the day's football news and gossip.

Whyte sets Friday deadline on deal

Craig Whyte has warned Rangers they only have until Friday to accept his bid for the club. The tycoon has issued a take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum for his 55million offer after becoming increasingly frustrated with the time being taken to complete the takeover. (The Sun)

• The Rangers takeover will be completed this week, after documents relating to working capital which had delayed the sale have now been presented to Sir David Murray and the Independent Board, allowing the sale to be ratified to the Stock Exchange within the next 48 hours. (Daily Express)

Izaguirre wins PFA award

Celtic full-back Emilio Izaguirre was last night named Cheque Centre PFA Scotland Player of the Year. Rangers forward Nikica Jelavic was honoured in the Goal of the Season category for his overhead kick winner against Aberdeen at Pittodrie last month, while John McGlynn - who narrowly missed out on leading Raith Rovers to promotion to the SPL - had his efforts recognised with the coveted Manager of the Year award. (The Scotsman)

Pressley signs new deal at Falkirk

Falkirk manager Steven Pressley has expressed his delight at being handed a new 12-month contract but admits he faces a big task to revamp his squad this summer amid further budget cuts at the financially-stricken club. "Am I pleased my contract is sorted out? I am, I'm very pleased," said Pressley. "I've started putting the building blocks in place this season and it's very difficult for a manager to change a football club in a short period of time. It does take time and that's the challenge over the course of the summer." (The Scotsman)

O'Brien: Cousin Diamond is signing for Hearts

Former Motherwell winger Jim O'Brien has denied he is signing for Hearts but claims that his cousin Zander Diamond is on his way to Tynecastle. O'Brien expects to stay on at Barnsley, but revealed the Aberdeen defender is set to join the Jambos on a Bosman deal. He said: "My cousin is signing for Hearts so maybe somebody's put two and two together and come up with a rumour." (The Sun)

Raith striker fears cutbacks

Raith striker John Baird has admitted that he is worried for the club's future as they face life in the First Division without the bumper crowds that local rivals Dunfermline bring. Baird, who was named the First Division player of the season at the PFA awards last night, admitted that cutbacks are inevitable. "It will be quite sad if we can't keep the team together. We have progressed this year and we would like to kick on, but if people have to move on, there's nothing we can do." (The Herald)

IN BRIEF

• Motherwell striker John Sutton is a target for Yorkshire outfit Huddersfield Town. (The Sun)

• Sacked SFA referee chief Hugh Dallas could be given the go-ahead from Uefa to start his new job as the head of refs in Bulgarian. (Daily Express)

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