The Rumour Mill: Friday’s football news and gossip

McLeish backs McCoist to recover

Alex McLeish has backed Rangers manager Ally McCoist to negotiate a path through the stormy period he is enduring at Ibrox. The former Scotland manager said: “It becomes a lonely place when you don’t get results, but I am confident that Coisty will get them out of this rut or whatever it is they are in and get them up to the next division. In many ways it could be the making of him as a manager.” (Various)

• Rangers chief executive Charles Green says he will warmly welcome Motherwell to Ibrox next week, but insists other top-flight clubs would not be given the same treatment. (Various)

Rogne: Celtic can reach knockout phase

Thomas Rogne insists Celtic can still finish second in their Champions League group despite their goalless draw with Benfica on Wednesday night. The defender said: “I think second place in this group is up for grabs. I think we showed today that we can cope with a really good team. Hopefully, next time, we can test the goalkeeper a bit more as well. But we can definitely finish as runners-up in the group.”

• Fraser Forster might just have taken a step closer to an England call-up after a solid display for Celtic against Benfica on Wednesday in front of England goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence. The 24-year-old said: “I didn’t know he was here beforehand but I’ve just got to do my best for Celtic. It’s nice that he came up to watch, the Champions League is a great level but I’ve just got to do my best.” (Various)

• Celtic face a Scottish Football Association charge over an alleged offensive banner which was displayed among their fans in their pre-season friendly against Norwich. (Various)

Hibs reject Shiels claims

Hibernian yesterday reacted strongly to a newspaper column written by Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels in which he repeated a contention that Paul Cairney had played for a penalty in the meeting between the two sides last Saturday. A spokesman for the Easter Road club said everyone connected to Kilmarnock should be “embarrassed” by Shiels’ conduct. (Scotsman)

SPL discuss Hearts as staff finally paid

Hearts last night confirmed that all remaining staff members who were still owed a wage payment for August had received the outstanding sum in their accounts yesterday morning. In total, six players and two members of the coaching staff remained unpaid yesterday morning as the Scottish Premier League board prepared to discuss the situation at a meeting at Hampden Park today. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Aberdeen defender Russell Anderson has had his red card against Inverness rescinded after the club’s appeal was upheld by the Scottish Football Association. (Various)

• Former Scotland boss George Burley has been sacked by Cypriot club Apollon Limassol after just two games. (Record)

• Alloa youngster Noel Makombo is being tracked by Arsenal, after the French striker, 16, scored six goals in his debut for the under-19s. (Record)