Rumour Mill: Charles Green| Kris Commons| Hibs

McLeish warns over revamp snub

Former First Minister Henry McLeish has called on Scottish football clubs to get behind the 12-12-18 structure revamp, saying that the nation’s game was a crucial point.

As the SPL prepares to vote on the 12-12-18 plan at Hampden, McLeish offered an open letter to all clubs in which he claims the consequences of it being rejected are “not worth contemplating”.

“The time calls for bravery,” said McLeish, “cool heads and consideration beyond the historic self-interest that has left the Scottish game trailing behind the more progressive European countries, both domestically and in the international arena.” (Scotsman)

Commons goal hit arm

Celtic hero Kris Commons has admitted that a goal he grabbed against Dundee United in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final was scored with his arm.

The goal put the Hoops 3-2 ahead of United, in a match that ended with Celtic’s victory in extra time, but Commons confirmed today that it did come off his arm.

“Yeah, it hit my arm, it was sort of between body and arm. It wasn’t even reflex though. It just hit me. I didn’t think the referee would chop it off though, because it hit me.” (The Sun)

• Dundee United’s Willo Flood was furious that referee Craig Thomson failed to award his side a penalty after Celtic’s Victor Wanyama barged Gary Mackay-Steven.

“I haven’t seen the replay, but it looked like a stonewall penalty to me,” Flood said. (Various)

McPake rage

Hibs captain James McPake has raged at his side’s performance despite coming back from a three goal deficit to walk over Falkirk on the way to the Scottish Cup.

The Easter Road club’s first-half performance simply wasn’t good enough for McPake, who said: “The only positive is we are in a cup final, And Alex Harris’s performance. He is the other positive. It was brutal.”

It is thought McPake had some stern words for his teammates at half time, but he refused to say what went down exactly, adding: “What happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room.” (Daily Record)

Sergio gone again

Ex-Hearts boss Paulo Sergio has been sacked as manager of Romanian champs CFR Cluj.

The club had fallen to eighth in the league table and Sergio was ousted, despite guiding Cluj to the final 16 in the Champions League. (Sun)

Charles Green ‘not racist’

Rangers owner Charles Green “is no racist”, according to former Sheffield United owner Mike McDonald.

McDonald jumped to the defence of the embattled Ibrox chief, saying: “We have a coloured employee working with us in Manchester. Charlie brought him in. He hired him. How does that square with him being racist?” (Daily Mail).