The Rumour Mill: Thursday’s football news and gossip

• Brian Kennedy has stepped up his bid for Rangers after he was shown around Ibrox and the Murray Park training ground by manager Ally McCoist. The Sale Sharks owner said: “It was an informal meeting and chat. It was just part of the process. I’m sure I’m not doing anything different than other bidders do.” (Sun)

• A fourth offer in the Rangers takeover process has been received from mystery bidders in the UK, while a Dubai-based firm are also set to approach the administrators in the next 24 hours. (Various)

• The Scottish Premier League could throw out Rangers’ defence that payments made to players via Employee Benefit Trusts were “discretionary” rather than “contractual”. (Herald)

• Malmo are reportedly keen on bringing Celtic defender Daniel Majstorovic back to his native Sweden in the summer. (Various)

• Celtic have reportedly threatened to withdraw all co-operation with Sky over plans to change SPL voting. The move is in response to plans from the ten non-Old Firm clubs to rip up the current voting structure in the wake of the Rangers crisis. (Record)

• Meanwhile, the so-called SPL ‘Gang of 10’ will host a meeting next month as they seek major concessions from the Old Firm. They are pushing for league reconstruction and a change to the voting structure. (Mail)

• St Mirren boss Danny Lennon has spoken out against referee Stevie O’Reilly after he awarded Saints a penalty seconds before Nigel Hasselbaink scored. Graham Carey saw his spot-kick saved. (Various)

• Hibernian have made a categorical denial that striker Leigh Griffiths assaulted both his manager and assistant manager following a training ground spat. (Scotsman)

• Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston is hopeful his club’s relegation rivals will be spooked by the appointment of Jim Jefferies as manager at such a crucial stage of the season. (Scotsman)

• Inverness boss Terry Butcher is keen to sign goalkeeper Ryan Esson on a new deal. (Mail)

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