Rumour Mill: Dave King titles threat | Rangers EBTs | Wanyama air fare rage

Dave King reignites title-stripping debate but denies EBTs boosted on-field performances; Wanyama rages at having to pay for air tickets and is Gavin Gunning on his way back to Dundee United?

Dave King reignited the title-stripping debate on Thursday. Picture: SNS Group/Alan Harvey

Dave King in titles threat to opponents

RANGERS chairman Dave King has re-ignited the debate on the potential for title-stripping by issuing a threat to any opponent who dares question his club’s history.

King came out fighting following a previous statement where Rangers claimed the issue of whether the club’s history remained theirs or not was “beyond debate”.

King warned: “If the history of our club comes under attack we will deal with it in the strongest manner possible.”

He accused others of wanting to “re-write history” out of bitterness. He said that if the question of title-stripping continues to be debated then “we will deal with it in the strongest manner possible”. (Read more at The Scotsman: Dave King threat to opponents who question Rangers history)

EBTs gave Rangers no on-pitch advantage, claims King

DAVE King has insisted that Rangers teams gained no on-pitch advantage from the contentious Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) scheme - despite admitting that some players would not have signed for the club amid different financial circumstances.

King argued that shareholders would still have funded expensive signings. The club was fined £250,000 for using the EBT scheme while judges last week claimed that a number of players would have signed for other clubs if it hadn’t been for the £48 million worth of tax-free payments. (Read more at Eurosport: Dave King: Scheme gave Rangers no advantage on the pitch)

Wanyama rages at Kenyan FA over air fare

FORMER Celtic star Victor Wanyama has complained to Kenya national team boss Bobby Williamson about having to pay his own fare to play for his country.

Wanyama, now with Southampton, said: “Once again, the Kenya FA have failed to send air tickets to foreign-based players. The Federation is yet to refund us money we used to pay for our air tickets.

“We have always had a problem with preparations and there is nothing different this time.”

Kenya take on the Cape Verde Islands in Nairobi later today in a World Cup qualifier. (The Scottish Sun, print edition)

Hoops get green light for McNeill statue

CELTIC have been given the go-ahead to erect a statue of legendary captain Billy McNeill holding the European Cup aloft outside Parkhead.

Drawings submitted to Glasgow council planning department show images of McNeill lifting the trophy above his head as Celtic became the first British club to win the competition in Lisbon in 1967.

Celtic announced plans for the bronze statue, which will be positioned on Celtic Way outside the stadium, in April. (Read more at The Scotsman: Celtic given go-ahead for Billy McNeill statue)

United eye Gunning return

DUNDEE United are set to bring Gavin Gunning back to Tannadice for a second spell in a bid to bolster their fight to haul themselves off the foot of the Scottish Premiership table.

Dublin-born Gunning moved to Birmingham in June 2014, but made just one League Cup appearance before a cruciate ligament injury ruled him out for the rest of the season, while a short-term deal at Oldham saw the former Rotherham and Motherwell stopper limited to a single League Cup appearance. (Read more at the Evening Telegraph: Dundee United move to seal deal for Gavin Gunning)

Tynecastle trouble: 14 nicked after Hearts-Kilmarnock fans’ bust-up

FOURTEEN football fans have been charged for various offences following a brawl before Hearts’ match with Kilmarnock last month near the Tynecastle stadium.

A 21-year-old Kilmarnock man was arrested on the day of the trouble while the new arrests - men and youths aged 28, 24, 23, 19, 18, three 17-year-olds, three 16-year-olds, two 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old - came following a police investigation. All are expected to make an appearance in court in Edinburgh in February. (Read more at the Daily Record: Fourteen football fans arrested following rammy near Tynecastle Stadium)

John McGinn reveals Hibs move fuelled by Scotland bid

HIBS star John McGinn has revealed his decision to sign for Hibernian was shaped by his desire to break into the Scotland squad - after Gordon Strachan told the Under-21s, who McGinn captains, that they’d need to be capable of playing over 50 games as a season if they wanted to make the full squad.

McGinn is set to make his 20th appearance of the season as Scotland Under-21s take on Ukraine at St Mirren Park tonight, but the youngster isn’t complaining about his lack of rest this season.

McGinn added: “I spoke to a few managers but I knew right away when I spoke to Alan Stubbs that I was going to be given the opportunity to play, and play in a style that would suit me. I think my decision has proven to be the right one.” (Read more at the Brechin Advertiser: John McGinn: Getting regular first-team football was key to Hibernian switch)