Rumour Mill: Ronny Deila | Berwick Rangers

Could Hartley soon be giving the thumbs up to the Cardiff City job? Picture: SNS

Ronny Deila insists that he ‘knows’ Aleksander Tonev is not a racist

Celtic boss Ronny Deila last night insisted that he ‘knows’Aleksander Tonev did not racially abuse Aberdeen’s Shay Logan. The SFA are looking into the matter and will continue to pore over television evidence before deciding if charges are to be pressed. But Deila has come out in support of his player saying: “We made a statement and I trust my players. I know he didn’t do it. He is an honest player and I believe in what he is saying.” (Express)

Berwick Rangers fear independence may jeopardise their SPFL place

Berwick Rangers chiefs fear their long association with Scottish football will end if there is a Yes vote in the referendum today. The English club have played north of the border since 1951 and famously dumped Rangers out of the Scottish cup in 1967. However the League Two outfit are concerned their SFA membership and affiliation with the SPFL could be revoked if Scotland leaves the UK. Berwick director Bill Parkin said: “If Scotland gets independence it’s the unknown - we just don’t know what will happen to Berwick Rangers. Things are uncertain.” (Various)

Rangers supporters to keep £500k from Ibrox board

The Rangers Fans Fighting Fund will not pass on their £500k kitty to the Ibrox board until they receive assurances about the club’s future direction. The organisation was set up in the wake of the descent into administration in 2012 and raked in over £600k in donations. Money was used to settle debts owed to Falkirk and Dunfermline as well as helping to relay the Ibrox pitch. Chairman Andrew McCormick sent a recent letter to chief executive Graham Wallace, asking questions about Rangers financial. Wallace asked for more time to sort the current crisis before the board will respond.(Mail)

Paul Hartley is in the frame for the Cardiff job

Dundee manager Paul Hartley is a shock candidate to take over the Cardiff City reins. It’s understood the Scot is on City’s radar to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is set up to leave the struggling Championship club. Hartley’s name has been put forward to controversial owner Vincent Tan and the Malaysian is understood to be impressed by his managerial CV. The odds on Hartley landing the job started to tumble last night. (Express)

SFA optimistic over Euro 2020 bid

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan flies out today confident that Glasgow’s bid to be host city for Euro 2020 will be successful. UEFA will announce tomorrow which 13 cities from a list of 19 have been chosen. A preliminary report from European football’s governing body stated that the commercial sector of the SFA bid was inadequate but Regan insists all necessary requirements will be met in full. Regan said: “We have every reason to be positive. Hampden Park is synonymous with great moments in European football - from arguably the greatest game ever, between Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt in the 1960 European Cup, to arguably the greatest goal scored in the Champions league by Zinedine Zidane for Real against Bayer Leverkusen.” (Various)

News in brief:

• Allan Johnston believes Kilmarnock striker Robbie Muirhead can make a major impact on the Scottish game. (Express)

• St Johnstone’s Steven MacLean could be out for up to six months with a knee injury. (Various)

• Scotland will play their Euro qualifier against Gibraltar in Portugal as originally planned. (Various)

• Scotland under-17 starlet Jack Harper scored for Real Madrid in his UEFA youth league debut in a 2-0 win over Basle. (Various)