Rumour Mill: Billy Davies | Rangers hit with £250k fine

Ally McCoist could be set to walk after meeting with the Rangers board, paving the way for Billy Davies. Picture: TSPL

Billy Davies linked with Rangers

Former Derby County manager Billy Davies is being tipped to replace Ally McCoist as the next Rangers manager.

Davies has spoken previously of managing Rangers being a career ambition.

McCoist is set to meet with the Rangers board today, could be offered a severance package that will allow the Scot to move on, paving the way for Billy Davies to take his place.

Rangers defender Terry Butcher is also an early favourite to get the job after last week ruling himself out of contention for the vacant Motherwell position. (Record)

SPFL hit Rangers with £250k EBT Commission fine

The SPFL have issued a statement to the London Stock Exchange announcing their intent to fine the club following the outcome of an investigation by the EBT commission. The statement read: “The board of the SPFL has determined that Rangers Football Club Limited (the “Club”) is liable to pay the EBT Commission fine of £250,000 levied on RFC 2012 PLC (previously The Rangers Football Club plc) (in liquidation) The SPFL has also decided that this sum will be recovered from the Club by the SPFL withholding broadcasting money and other sums due to the Club but which are paid in the first instance to the SPFL. An appeal has been lodged with the Judicial Panel of the Scottish FA which has confirmed that the decision of the SPFL is suspended pending the outcome of the appeal subject to the SPFL’s right to object. The Board is advised that the sum is not due to SPFL and the appeal will be pursued vigorously.” (Scotsman)

Rangers liquidators in bid for Charlie Telfer money

Just days after being awarded £170,000 from an SPFL tribunal as training compensation for the transfer of Charlie Telfer from Ibrox to Dundee United, the liquidators of old Rangers are investigating whether they are due a proportion of the money.

According to STV Sport, BDO are to write to the relevant parties to see whether they are to receive a proportion of the fee because old Rangers trained Telfer between 2006 and 2012.

Despite securing around £24 million already for the creditors of old Rangers, BDO are working tirelessly to recover as much money as possible before paying out to those creditors owed money.

BDO would have to claim the money directly from new Rangers, rather than the SPFL or Dundee United, but if new Rangers refuse it could lead to legal action. (STV)

Celtic back Aleksandqr Tonev as he loses his appeal

Celtic winger Aleksandar Tonev’s appeal against a seven-match ban for racially abusing the Englishman was thrown out yesterday.The 24-year-old must now try to clear his name after evidence of the case was documented in a statement released by the SFA.It was an unprecedented move by the authorities but one they felt was needed after the incident had made so many headlines.Logan said he was “one million per cent” sure Tonev uttered the words, “Don’t touch me you black c***” during Aberdeen’s 2-1 defeat at Parkhead in September.It came down to one man’s word against another. In the end, Logan was described in the report as an “impressive witness” while the panel were unable to accept Tonev as “either credible or reliable”.Celtic were “extremely disappointed” by the outcome and could take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, after manager Ronny Deila earlier stated they would take the issue further if they lost. (Various)Celtic want Ikechi AnyaScotland star Ikechi Anya has emerged as a January transfer target for Celtic. The Sun understands Ronny Deila is a huge fan of the winger and could be set to make a move for him next month. Anya has apparently been a target for Celtic since Neil Lennon’s time in charge but it’s his form for Scotland that has brought him to Ronny Deila’s attention. (Sun)Ronny Deila: Celtic ‘working hard’ to sign John GuidettiCeltic boss Ronny Deila says the club are ‘really working hard’ to sign Manchester City striker John Guidetti.The Celtic boss has revealed that talks with the player and his agent about a permanent move are ‘going the right way.’“I hope he will sign the contract.” Deila said.“It’s going on [contract talks]. We’re talking and have an arrangement with the agent, so it’s going the right way. You never know [if it will be done by the New Year]. We’ll see. The fans should know we’re really working hard on this.” (HITC.com)Miguel Pallardo’s agent denies ‘fix’ claimHearts midfielder Miguel Pallardo has been named in a match fixing scandal that is rocking Spanish football. Prosecutors alleged that the Jambos star was a member of the Levante side paid almost a million euros to lose their match with Real Zaragoza at the end of the 2010-2011 season. Pallardo’s agent Clive Jagger has vehemently denied the claims and insists the player knows nothing of the serious accusations being levelled against him. (Various)

Deila urges Celtic fans to behave

Ronny Deila last night urged Celtic fans to stop bringing flares to games or face the prospect of Parkhead being shut down on a big European match night.

The Scottish champions will appear before UEFA’s disciplinary committee for the fifth time in just three years after a flare was let off during the Europa League clash with Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia on December 11.

Repeat offenders face increased fines and eventual partial or complete closure of their stadiums and Deila, whose team have landed a plum last-32 tie with Inter Milan, fears UEFA will run out of patience with Celtic.

He said: “It’s hard for the club to control - that’s the responsibility of the supporters. We need to be finished with it and concentrate on football.” (Various)

News in brief:

• Jonny Hayes has defended Paul Paton, saying he wasn’t ‘spat on’ by the player. (Various)

• Kevin McHattie is ahead of schedule to return to fitness for Hearts and could be back in action before the year is out. (Sun)