Rumour Mill: Dave King | Georgios Samaras

Georgios Samaras is reportedly a target for Barcelona. Picture: Robert Perry/TSPL

Georgios Samaras is Barcelona target - reports

Celtic striker Georgios Samaras is a target for La Liga side Barcelona, according to reports in Spain. Manager Gerardo Martino is apparently on the search for a “Plan B” to provide cover for star strikers Neymar and Lionel Messi. Samaras has turned in impressive performances against the Catalan giants, and with his contract expiring at the end of the season Barcelona could potentially do a deal on the cheap. Fraser Forster has also been linked with Barcelona in recent weeks. (Daily Express, The Sun)

Dave King returns to Ibrox as chairman

Former Rangers director Dave King has struck a deal with Craig Mather to become chairman at Ibrox, it has been claimed. Ally McCoist welcomed the potential return of King to Rangers, saying: Dave has already invested vast sums of his own money into Rangers and that tells me he’s the kind of investor we need at this club again. The recent accounts have been well documented and the fact is we will need reinvestment at some stage in the future.” (Daily Record)

Hearts midfielder Scott Robinson sorry for Locke rant

Hearts midfielder Scott Robinson has apologised to Gary Locke after claiming the Jambos boss was “picking on him”.

Robinson was substituted at half-time in the 2-0 defeat to St Mirren on Saturday – the second match running in which he was taken off at the break.

The 21-year-old admitted his emotions had got the better of him following the defeat.

Robinson said: “I was very emotional after Saturday’s game and perhaps I should have taken a moment to think about what I was saying.

“Certainly, I was upset about being subbed off but any footballer worth their salt would be too.

“I don’t feel like the manager’s singling me out for unwanted attention, I absolutely know that.” (Scotsman)

Kilmarnock get vital £1m cash boost

Kilmarnock received a major boost after being gifted £1m by one of its largest shareholders. Businessman Billy Bowie, owner of a haulage and waste disposal firm, had already ploughed £250,000 into the club. It is hoped that the additional investment of £1m will attract others to put money into Rugby Park as chairman Michael Johnston dispelled rumours he was preparing to sell the club.

“How the money is used has still to be itoned out but Billy and I both hope it might encourage other local businessmen to invest in the club.”

It is hoped the investment will go some way to aiding the debt-ridden club, and take the heat off under-fire chairman Johnston as fans discuss boycotting home matches in protest at his stewardship.

(Daily Record, Daily Mail)

Lewis Macleod: Rangers turmoil has made us stronger

Rangers midfielder Lewis Macleod has said that Rangers’ boardroom war has brought the team closer together. As infighting among the Ibrox hierarchy continues ahead of an agm on 24 October, Macleod insists that the team are now a stronger unit.

He said: “You’ve got to block out everything that’s happening off the pitch because we have no impact no what goes on there.

“We can only influence what happens on the pitch. You could say it has brought everyone together because this year we’re more of a team.”