Rumour Mill: Graham Wallace

Celtic's John Guidetti is eyeing up the quadruple. Picture: SNS

Graham Wallace leaves Rangers days after board accepts Mike Ashley’s loan offer

Rangers chief executive Graham Wallace has left Rangers just days after Mike Ashley’s Ibrox loan offer was accepted. Wallace - who is expected to be replaced by Ashley’s right-hand man Derek Llambias - left the club on Saturday morning, moments after the club’s beleaguered board accepted a £2m crisis loan from the Sports Direct magnate and his departure will be confirmed this morning. Derek Llambias is now expected to take over his £300,00 a year role with Ashley’s other close friend, Stephen Mucklow, set to replace finance director Philip Nash, who resigned on Friday. The changes to the board were part of the agreement between Ashley and the board with the Newcastle owner also being handed security of two of the club’s main assets, the Albion car park and Edminston House. (Various)

Meanwhile the Record are reporting that a source close to the club revealed that Ashley threatened legal action if the club decided to accept Brian Kennedy’s late £3m offer instead of his own. The source said: “Ashley was apoplectic when he heard Kennedy made a bigger offer. His lawyers made it clear there could be repercussions for those who tried to stand in his way. It’s no surprise a few bottles crashed Ashley is not someone to be messed with.” (Daily Record)

John Guidetti is eyeing up a quadruple for Celtic

John Guidetti last night set his sights on sweeping the board with Celtic this season after his fifth goal for the club lifted them within touching distance of the Premiership summit. The Swede scored the opener against 10-man Kilmarnock before Stefan Scepovic doubled the tally in the second half to secure the win. Guidetti claims his form is down to the ease with which he has settled into life in Glasgow. He said: “I want to win the Quadruple - the three domestic trophies and the Europa League. This is what I want, so we have to focus on every single game. The manager believes in me and has given me my chance so I want to repay him. The Quadruple is 100 per cent possible. We have done so well right now in the Europa League and I can’t wait to go to the knockout stages so I can be part of the squad.” The striker refused to be drawn into speculation that Celtic will move to keep him longer than his current deal. He added: “I have not been offered anything yet. To play for Celtic is a great honour. We haven’t discussed anything yet.” (Daily Mail)

Alan Stubbs refuses to blame keeper Mark Oxley for Hibernian blowing their lead

Hibs manager Alan Stubbs refused to blame keeper Mark Oxley for letting Alim Ozturk’s wonder strike secure a late draw for Hearts in the capital derby yesterday. Stubbs said: “The lad will hit another 999 shots and not any of them will be on target, but it flew in. I was asked if I’d look at Mark but that’s crazy. It was one of those goals. The ball flew all over the place, it dipped, swerved and there was certainly no blame from my point of view towards Mark.” (Daily Express)

Charlie Nicholas says Scotland caps were his ‘greatest honour’

Charlie Nicholas admits he can’t be frustrated at his Scotland cap tally - because he’s only three behind the legendary Jimmy Johnstone. The former Arsenal and Celtic player made the admission after he was inducted into the Hall of Fame at a gala dinner at Hampden. Nicholas said: “I wish I played more, but I can console myself with the fact Jinky only got 23 caps. As a boy in Maryhill I had two aims - to play for Celtic and for Scotland and I did both. The honour of playing for Scotland is the greatest one going.” (Express)

Rangers crowds near record low

Rangers have played in front of their lowest attendances for 53 years this week. Ally McCoist’s side beat Dumbarton in the Championship in front of just 1,850 fans at the Bet Butler stadium. And that was a gate of just 23 more than their midweek success at East Fife’s New Bayview in the Petrofac Training Cup. Remarkably, both games were the first time Rangers had played in front of a crowd of less than 2,000 since 1961, since Rangers faced East German side Vorwarts Berlin in the second round of the European Cup 53 years ago. (Daily Mail)

News in brief:

• Darko Milanic sacked after only 32 days in charge of Leeds after a hugely unsuccessful tenure. (Express)

• Calamity keeper Lucas Birnstingl quit the country yesterday after a meltdown in Montrose. He text the club to apologise after a horror performance against Arbroath and said he’d booked the first flight home. (Sun)

Rumour Mill: Graham Wallace | John Guidetti