The Rumour Mill: Tuesday’s football news and gossip

Published on 20/12/2011 11:15

In today’s Rumour Mill: Kris Boyd has ended his short spell in Turkey, prompting speculation about a return to Rangers; Rafik Halliche could fill in for Majstorovic at Celtic; Andrew Driver could buy his way out of Tynecastle; plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

No Turkish delight as Boyd heads home

Kris Boyd has called time on his wretched spell in Turkish football after just five months and will look to revive his career in British football. The Scottish Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer has terminated his contract with Eskisehirspor and commenced legal proceedings against the club over non-payment of wages. (Scotsman)

• Free agent Kris Boyd could return to Rangers in the New Year if Nikica Jelavic leaves the Ibrox club. (Mail)

• But Rangers sources have insisted there is no truth in the rumours that Boyd could make a return to his former club. (Express)

• Meanwhile, Ally McCoist claims Rangers are making progress in their bid to sign Kyle Lafferty on a longer contract.

McNeill blasts Celtic banner boys

Celtic great Billy McNeill has spoken out against a group of “rogue” Celtic fans who unfurled the offensive banner against Udinese last week which has left the club facing another UEFA charge in the New Year. He said: “This has left me hurt and disappointed. For generations, Celtic fans have had a great record in Europe. Now that reputation is in danger of being wrecked by these people - I struggle to call them fans.” (Sun)

• Huddersfield Town have issued a hands-off warning to Celtic over Scotland striker Jordan Rhodes. (Express)

• Emilio Izaguirre is set to return to action in a bounce match against Morton at Celtic’s Lennoxtown training complex today, and could return to competitive play in the Old Firm derby next week. (Record)

• Rafik Halliche, the out-of-favour Fulham defender, has been urged by his Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic to sign for Celtic after Daniel Majstorovic was ruled out for six weeks. (Sun)

Modern ‘terracing’ could return

Standing areas could return to Scottish football, although club officials have warned that such a step will come at a price. Stephen Thompson, chairman of Dundee United and a newly-appointed member of the Scottish Premier League board, has welcomed the initiative, but doubted many clubs could afford to implement it. (Various)

Driver could buy his way out of Hearts

Andrew Driver is ready to buy out the remainder of his contract to quit Hearts in the summer if he is not allowed to leave in January. The former England Under-21 cap still has 18 months of his contract left but could use FIFA rule 17 to buy out the final 12 months of his deal in the summer. (Express)

• The Scottish Premier League will make a ruling at the start of next month on Hearts’ repeated failure to pay their players salaries on time. (Scotsman)

• Hearts have told Cowdenbeath that they will recall their 19-year-old winger Jordan Morton when his loan arrangement with the Second Division leaders runs out early next month. (Scotsman)

Fenlon tracks Sligo striker

Hibernian boss Pat Fenlon is set to sign highly-rated Sligo Rovers striker Eoin Doyle. The 23-year-old, who waws shortlisted in the FAI Player of the Year last season after scoring 25 goals, is out of contract at the end of the month. (Record)

IN BRIEF

• Aberdeen’s two major stakeholders, chairman Stewart Milne and Aberdeen Asset Management, have been forced to pay out £2.5million to keep the club’s bankers off their back. (Record)

• FIFA will have to settle a dispute between Falkirk and Bradford City over the sale of Mark Stewart, who joined the English League Two side in the summer. (Express)

• Scotland will move up to 47th in the FIFA world rankings after beating Cyprus. (Express)

• Kilmarnock have offered full-back Alex Pursehouse a new three-year contact. (Sun)

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