Rumour Mill: Charles Green | Grant Holt to Celtic?

Charles Green: We’d be in SPL if we could turn back time

Rangers chief executive Charles Green has claimed that his side would still be in the SPL if the findings of Lord Nimmo-Smith’s report were known last year.

Writing in The Sun, he said: “If we could turn back time would we still be where we are today?

“I don’t think we would. I think we would be in the SPL and these are the frustrations for us.”

Green also re-iterated his opposition to the plans for league reconstruction. Green said: “I said we would not play in the SPL while I’m chief executive and while they were title-stripping.

“Now that obstacle has gone, but I have not changed my mind about that. I still think the SPL is a tarnished brand.

“We don’t know what division we will be in next season and in my mind we won’t have a decision before May.” (The Sun)

Holt nips Celtic talk in the bud

Norwich City striker Grant Holt has played down any talk of a possible move to Celtic, despite having moved his family to a newly-bought house just over the border in Carlisle.

Holt said: “We’ve bought a house there but it’s just for the schools. It just means a lot of driving for me, but I’m used to that. I signed a three-year contract last year and I will see it through. I will stay for as long as the manager and the club want me.”

However, this could turn out to be good news for Celtic - Holt was rumoured to be a possible makeweight in any Norwich deal for Gary Hooper. (Express)

Houston could be interested in Hearts job

Former Dundee United boss Peter Houston has hinted that he could be interested in the vacant role at Tynecastle.

Houston told the BBC: “You’d have to listen to what they had to say.

“I want to be a manager again and I want to work as soon as I can.” (BBC)

No-one will want Hearts job, claims Sandison

Former Hearts defender Jimmy Sandison has said that the situation at Hearts is so bad, managers might try to avoid being linked with the role.

Sandison told The Sun: “There may be a lot of guys out there now thinking ‘Please don’t phone me!’.

“Right now, for any Hearts manager it’s impossible to plan for the long term.

“Anyone who comes in won’t know what restraints they will be working under... if they can sign players.” (The Sun)

Dons up for a fight, says boss Brown

Craig Brown has backed his Aberdeen players to keep up the fight as they try for a top-six finish. The club are currently sitting in ninth, and Brown’s role in the club’s slump in form has been widely criticised. However the manager said his team had the mentality to get their season back on track. “Some groups of players can get upset when results go against them and give up,” he said, “but this Aberdeen squad will not”. (AEE)

Online jibes a good sign, says Russell

Johnny Russell has said that any online barbs from Dundee fans after this week’s derby Cup tie are a good sign - as they’ll be a sign of a job well done.

The Dundee United striker said: “That’s part and parcel of football these days. I don’t think people think. They get angry for some reason — usually at me — and decide to tweet something.

“So I suppose if I am getting some abuse from Dundee fans on Sunday then I’ve done something right. If you get under their skin then it shows you’re doing your job well.” (Courier)