The Rumour Mill: Tuesday’s football news and gossip

Rangers liquidation: The reaction

After it emerged yesterday that the HMRC will not support Charles Green’s Company Voluntary Arrangement for Rangers, making liquidation the only option, the headlines were dominated by the end for a 140 year old institution.

• Charles Green last night accused HMRC of “misleading” the club. He said: “HMRC have got a lot to answer for. It’s massively disappointing and I think to some extent we have been misled by HMRC. (Scotsman)

• It is understood that one of the previous bidders for the club may submit a new bid today, while another is considering his options but could also return an offer that is higher than Charles Green’s. A third, new bidder also intends to make a bid. They believe the £5.5m offer undervalues the club’s assets. (Herald)

• But Rangers administrators Duff and Phelps insist Green’s bid is a “done deal” regardless of whether a larger offer is tabled for the stricken club. (Various)

• Despite the club’s debts being wiped out under a newco, it is understood that Rangers will still be made to pay for their past crimes. (Record)

• Bosses at HMRC revealed they killed off Rangers so they could put former owners Sir David Murray and Craig Whyte under closer scrutiny. (Sun)

• Rangers’ newco faces a court battle to avoid a mass exodus of players from Ibrox. It is not yet clear whether any player can leave the club for free following liquidation, but legal wrangles may determine that. (Record)

• But PFA Scotland chief Fraser Wishart has told Rangers stars they are free to leave the liquidated club. Defender The former Rangers player said: “They would be free agents. Registration dies with the club and the player would be free to go.” (Sun)

• But Charles Green is adamant that the current players will be transferred to a newco. “If the players choose not to transfer they will then be in breach of contract. But we want all of the staff and players to get behind what we are trying to do.” (BBC)

• Celtic captain Scott Brown admits it would be disappointing if there were no more Old Firm matches: “You play for a club like this to play against your rivals. We want to beat our rivals week in, week out, to go on and win championships. It would be a hard one.” (Scotsman)

• Scottish Football League chief David Longsmuir insists any newco Rangers would have to apply for membership and start in the lowest tier. (Record)

• Rangers fans turned their fury on administrators Duff and Phelps, who are walking away with a reported £5.5m fee. (Herald)

• A Hearts supporters’ chief today declared that his club could thrive in the SPL without Rangers because they would stand a stronger chance of challenging Celtic for the league championship. (Evening News)

Hearts vacancy

• Falkirk chairman Martin Ritchie insists he is confident that Bairns boss Steven Pressley will not replace Paulo Sergio at Hearts. He said there had been no approach, and reiterated that Pressley has just signed a three-year deal. (Record)

• Raith Rovers chairman Turnbull Hutton believes Starks Park boss John McGlynn, who was caretaker manager at Tynecastle twice under Vladimir Romanov, would be a “fantastic appointment”. (Record)

Forster talks continue

Fraser Forster’s agent insists that the goalkeeper is not holding the club to ransom as talks continue over a deal for the Newcastle player. Mark Curtis said: “Talks are ongoing between myself and Celtic - they certainly haven’t stalled.” (Sun)

• Rennes are the latest club to be linked with Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama. The Ligue 1 outfit are preparing for the probable exit of France star Yann M’Vila, and the 20-year-old is among their targets. (Sun)

IN BRIEF

• St Johnstone boss Steve Lomas has confirmed the signings of goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey and striker Gregory Tade from Inverness. He also revealed that teenage striker Stevie May has signed a new contract. (Record)

• St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour has moved to allay fans’ fears over new owners by insisting the new owners will be ‘football people’. (Express)

• Hibernian’s attempts to sign Slovakian player Lubo Michalik have been given a boost after he left Carlisle as a free agent. (Sun)

• Aberdeen boss Craig Brown is confident Hearts will not lure signing target Jonny Hayes from Inverness. (Record)

• Stirling Albion have signed striker Bradley Coyne and defender David McClune. (Record)

• Stenhousemuir have signed giant striker John Gemmell, who is nicknamed The Beast. (Sun)