The Rumour Mill: Wednesday’s football news and gossip

Referee Collum subjected to death threats

Willie Collum says he will not be driven out of the game after it emerged that internet death

threats had been posted against the official.

It is understood that the threats, which have also been issued over the phone, came after he controversially

denied a penalty to Celtic in the last minute of their League Cup final against Kilmarnock and in 2010 when he awarded a penalty to Rangers during their 3 -1 victory over Celtic. (Record)

Whyte to sell Rangers shares

Rangers owner Craig Whyte has confirmed that he is in talks with three of the bidders looking

to buy the club with a view to selling his share holding in the club.

Ng vows to bring success to Rangers

Leader of the Singapore consortium looking to buy Rangers, Bill Ng, says he wants to make his mark with Rangers

on the pitch and is not interested in reaping financial rewards if he is successful in rescuing the stricken

club. (Sun)

West Brom launch fresh bid for Naismith

Premiership side West Brom have launched a third bid to lure Rangers forward Steven Naismith south of the border in

deal reported to be worth less than the £2m offered initially.

Naismith could be set to return to the Ibrox fold before the season is

out after making good progress in recovering from his cruciate ligament injury.

Fulham favourites to land Fyvie

English Premiership side Fulham are favourites to land teenage midfielder Fraser Fyvie after it

emerged they are set to launch a £1m bid for the player.

Celtic eye fall-back Gordon

Neil Lennon is considering a move for Scotland cap Craig Gordon should his attempts to secure a permanent deal

for on-loan Newcastle keeper Fraser Forster fail.

Gordon will be a free agent at the end of the season once his £40K a week deal with Sunderland expires.

Regan hits back at renegade referee

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan hit back at Charlie Richmond last night after the whistler said that cronyism within the SFA had drove him to retire from the game.

Regan took to Twitter to say that “Referee appointments are based on performance.

“Would prefer to see consistent under performers ‘retire’ without feeling need to blame others”. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Scotland have risen three places in the FIFA world rankings to 48

• Ki Sung-Yueng says will wait until the end of the season before discussing a new deal with Celtic

• Ross County clinched promotion to the SPL last night following a draw with Queen of the South

• Dunfermline defender Kevin Rutkiewicz is out for the remainder of the season with a hip injury

• David Van Zanten has signed a one-year contract extension with St Mirren