Rumour Mill: Charles Green | Celtic | Dunfermline

ALLY McCoist has insisted that he isn’t prepared to axe assistants Kenny McDowall and Ian Durrant despite cost-cutting measures hinted at by Charles Green; Celtic could win the SPL without kicking a ball and Dunfermline hit with 15-point penalty.

Ally McCoist wants clarity. Picture: SNS

McCoist vows ‘I’ll never quit’ as tension with Green rises

Ally McCoist has pleaded with Charles Green not to cut any more staff at Ibrox, after the Rangers chief asked McCoist to axe his right-hand men Kenny McDowall and Ian Durrant in a bid to save his own job - and money.

Green has already got rid of physio Pip Yeates, chief scout Neil Murray, striker Fran Sandaza and stadium manager Ross McCaskill.

McCoist yesterday refused to be drawn on the possibility of losing more staff but did say that he and Green had not held any discussions about it.

And the Rangers boss issued a defiant statement, declaring that nothing would make him quit Ibrox. (Daily Record)

Celtic could win title two days before playing first post-split game

The announcement was delayed, but the final six rounds of SPL fixtures were unveiled last night - with the schedule meaning that Celtic could effectively win the league title without having to kick a ball.

Motherwell, currently lying in second, have to win every game to have any hope of catching the Parkhead side, and whilst that looks unlikely, anything other than three points in their opening post-split fixture against Dundee United could see Celtic handed the title by default, as they don’t face Inverness at Parkhead until nearly 48 hours after the Friday night match at Tannadice. (The Scotsman)

Dunfermline docked 15 points for administration - and face relegation battle

Jim Jefferies spoke of his dismay last night as the Pars were handed a 15-point penalty for entering administration - leaving them in ninth place, two points off eighth-placed Cowdenbeath with five games remaining.

Former Hearts boss Jefferies, who saw his side relegated around this time last year, was stunned as he admitted that he thought a 10-point penalty would have been the punishment.

“This is a real shame for everyone at the club. I think it’s harsh, I really do,” said Jefferies.

He added: “It puts us in a really difficult situation now. At the end of the day it’s the players here who are suffering because of this.” (Various)

Tannadice deals for Partick duo

Jackie McNamara looks to have scuppered plans by Hibernian and St Johnstone to raid Partick Thistle in attempts to bolster their squads by tying up Jags pair Chris Erskine and Paul Paton on pre-contracts, with the duo set to sign after United’s cup semi-final with Celtic. The former Partick boss is braced for big changes at Tannadice this summer, with Jon Daly and Willo Flood reportedly in talks with Rangers and Hibs respectively. (The Sun)

Fiorentina chase Samaras

Italian cracks Fiorentina have renewed their interest in Celtic striker Georgios Samaras. With the Greek forward entering the last year of his contract, the Serie A outfit are keeping tabs on Samaras, who scored five goals in the Champions League for Celtic. It is not thought that talks have taken place between the club and the player, who is understood to be keen to remain in Glasgow, but Fiorentina may move for the 28-year-old as they prepare to lose highly-rated strike duo Stefan Jovetic and Adem Ljajic in the summer.