Rumour Mill: Blatter admits World Cup fix | Scott Brown injury

Rigged: Sepp Blatter has admitted the 2018 World Cup vote was fixed. Picture: PA

2018 World Cup vote rigged, admits Blatter

SEPP Blatter has admitted that the 2018 World Cup vote was rigged to ensure Russia was selected the host nation - and that the 2022 World Cup was supposed to be held in the USA until Michel Platini threw his backing behind Qatar.

And English FA chief Greg Dyke has suggested that English football’s governing body may sue FIFA for the whopping £21 million it cost to stage the bid.

Prince William and David Beckham were sent to the December 2011 vote, but Dyke accused FIFA of being ‘a corrupt organisation... for forty years’. (Various)

Celtic sweat over Brown injury

CELTIC face an anxious wait to discover the extent of the knee injury which forced captain Scott Brown to abruptly pull out of their League Cup quarter-final win over Hearts at Tynecastle last night.

The midfielder limped away from their pre-match warm-up, forcing a late change in manager Ronny Deila’s team selection.

“Scott felt something in his knee during the warm-up,” said Deila. “We will have to scan it tomorrow and then we can say what it is.

“I don’t think it is serious. I hope it isn’t. But, again, it is a knee and we have to wait for the scan.” (The Scotsman)

Arteta ‘not ruling out Rangers return’

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta is not ruling out a return to Rangers, despite saying he’s ‘really happy’ at the Emirates.

The former Everton and Real Sociedad star said: “I always look out for Rangers’ scores. They gave me the chance to play in the UK. I had a great time there. We won the Treble in my first year and the way the club, players, staff and supporters looked after me was top drawer.

“Would I go back in some capacity one day? It’s such a special club but right now I’m really happy at Arsenal.” (The Sun)

Logan’s Dons future uncertain

SHAY Logan has again hinted that his future lies away from Pittodrie after saying he is not in a ‘position to commit to anything’.

The ex-Manchester City full back joined Aberdeen on a full-time basis following a successful loan spell.

But Logan, whose three children live in England, may look to move closer to home. He added: “I want to have a talk with my family and my manager and see what is the best outcome for me.” (Evening Express)

O’Connor moves into management

FORMER Hibs and Scotland striker Garry O’Connor has been named caretaker boss of part-time outfit Selkirk.

The shock appointment comes after the Borders outfit dismissed manager Steve Forrest yesterday, with the club currently sitting in seventh place in the Lowland League.

O’Connor, 32, will oversee training tonight before acting as player/manager for Saturday’s league fixture against Gretna 2008 at Yarrow Park. (The Scotsman)

Hoops fans call for tax credits cuts director to go

ANGRY Celtic fans have launched a petition calling for a Parkhead director who backed tax credit cuts to be removed from the board.

Glasgow-born ex-BT chief Lord Livingston voted in favour of cuts to tax credits. Lord Livingston is a non-executive director of the Hoops.

And a petition has been launched by fans calling for him to be removed from the Celtic board, saying that the club “was formed to help feed the poor in the east end of Glasgow”. (Evening Times)

Rumour Mill: Blatter admits World Cup fix | Scott Brown injury | Mikel Arteta