Rumour Mill: Aleksandar Tonev

Tonev and Collins left Hampden without making comment, but the player is said to be distraught at the verdict. Aberdeen also declined to comment further. Picture: SNS

Aleksandar Tonev to fight seven-game SFA ban

Aleksandar Tonev will fight a seven-game SFA banfor racist behaviour with the full support of Celtic boss Ronny Deila.

And after hearing in person from Tonev, Logan, Celtic No 2 John Collins, Dons boss Derek McInnes and the match officials, the panel handed down their damning judgment.

Tonev was found guilty of indulging in “excessive misconduct by the use of offensive, insulting and abusive language of a racist nature”.

He and Collins left Hampden without making comment, but the player is said to be distraught at the verdict. Aberdeen also declined to comment further.

It is unclear if Aberdeen came up with compelling evidence to convict the Celt, or if the panel’s judgment was reached on the balance of probability.

The reasons for the decision may be made public in time, but with an appeal now taking place the case remains active and no details will emerge until after the second hearing.

Following the incident last month, Deila declared he knew for a fact that Tonev was innocent. Yesterday he once again stuck to that line, and speaking just hours before the verdict was made public he said: “I’m sure he hasn’t said that to the player.” (Express)

Derek Llambias might not be in line for top job says David Somers

Rangers interim executive chairman David Somers has hinted that Derek Llambias may not end up being the club’s new chief executive. Somers has stepped up from his non-executive role to take full command of the Ibrox side for the time being as they search for Graham Wallace’s replacement. Somers admitted that Llambias has yet to apply for the job. He said: “I don’t think I should say how many people have applied for the chief executive role at this point. I have got some head-hunters helping me look for people.” (Express)

Motherwell fans’ group Well society given funding deadline

The Well Society need to raise £1million by the end of November or John Boyle will sell his majority shareholding privately. The Society are well short of that and unless they secure the funding their hopes of fan ownership will die. The Express are reporting that a foreign consortium as already held preliminary talks on buying the club. A Well society statement confirmed: “We are in talks over a soft loan that would ensure we not only reach the total, but hopefully a higher total that would trigger the transfer of John Boyle’s majority shareholding to the society.” (Express)

Dundee United fine Paul Paton and Mark Wilson

Dundee United players Paul Paton and Mark Wilson have been fined for breaching club rules.

The pair were found to be in breach of the rules by being out on a late night out in Glasgow last week.

In a statement today, United revealed an investigation into their actions was now complete and the matter dealt with internally. The statement read: “Dundee United Football Club today confirmed that disciplinary proceedings involving players Mark Wilson and Paul Paton have been concluded. Both players co-operated fully with the club investigation at hearings on Tuesday 28th October at which a representative of the Scottish Professional Footballers Association also attended.” (Dundee Telegraph)

Stuart McCall wary of James McFadden ‘magic’

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall knows James McFadden could provide the piece of magic that could decide their Friday night fixture with St Johnstone – but he believes his own  forward players are set to find form themselves.

McCall released top-earner McFadden in the summer as he shaped his squad for this season with four strikers at his disposal at the time and Bob McHugh set to return from a loan spell at Queen of the South.

The 31-year-old eventually ended up in Perth and is looking for his first goal for St Johnstone when Motherwell visit McDiarmid Park.

McCall said: “I saw Faddy play last week at Partick Thistle. The game wasn’t great and there wasn’t a lot of goalmouth activity but he played the key pass of the game which put [Lee] Croft through, although the keeper saved it. He had another decent effort as well. There is no denying the talent Faddy has got and still possesses. In tight games like this it might only take one second of magic and he is certainly capable of doing that. We are well aware he poses a threat if he plays, which I’m sure he will.” (Scotsman)

Greece drop Georgios Samaras

Greece coach Claudio Ranieri has dropped striker Georgios Samaras from the national team after a dismal start to European Championship qualifying.

Samaras, who plays for West Bromwich Albion, is one of Greece’s best-known players following his six-year spell at Celtic and after helping the national team reach the second round at the World Cup in Brazil.

But the 29-year-old forward was left out of the provisional squad of 17 overseas-based players named on Thursday ahead of a home qualifier against the Faroe Islands on November 14 and a friendly match against Serbia four days later. (Scotsman)

Scotland women’s World Cup dream ends in Holland

Scotland hopes of qualifying for the 2015 Women’s World Cup were ended last night in front of an 8,000 strong crowd in Rotterdam. Second half goals by Martens and Melis put the Dutch through with a 2-0 win. The Netherlands will now face Italy next month. (Mail)

News in brief:

• Tony Watt ends barren spell in Belgium with his first league goal for Standard Liege. (Mail)

• New York Cosmos have signed Real Madrid legend Raul for the beginning of their 2015 season. (Express)

• Lee Clark named as new Blackpool manager, replacing the outgoing Jose Riga. (Express)

• Danny Wilson faces fitness test to be ready in time to return to action to face Rangers next month. (Various)

• Gibraltar have called up a 17-year-old rookie goalkeeper to face Germany next month. (Express)

Rumour Mill: Aleksandar Tonev | Derek Llambias