Rumour Mill: League reconstruction

League reconstruction vital, says SPL’s Doncaster

SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster believes that league reconstruction is vital to saving professional football in Scotland.

Doncaster also said that he cannot understand David Longmuir’s call to delay league reshaping for 12 months.

Doncaster said: “I don’t see what the benefits of a delay are at all.

“We see the situation at Dunfermline and I’ve huge sympathy for the players who’ve lost their jobs, but the fact is you cannot run full-time professional football on the sort of money that is being distributed to SFL1 at this moment.

“We believe the top league is only as strong as the division under it.” (Express)

Lennon: ‘Scotland players need to give more”

Neil Lennon has accused some members of the Scotland team of lacking desire and enthusiasm for the job.

Lennon said: “In terms of the national team, some of the players need to leave their egos at the door and sacrifice a little bit more for their country.

“I think players are comfortable at their clubs and it looks like it becomes a bit of a chore rather than a privilege to play for their countries.” (Scotsman)

Dunfermline latest: ‘We’ve been treated like beasts’, says Paul Gallagher

Former Dunfermline ‘keeper Paul Gallagher has lashed out at the treatment he and his former teammates have received as the cuts continue at the club.

Scotland cap Gallagher said: “I am not having a go at the administrator, he had to deal with things, but the way we were treated yesterday... animals have been treated better. It is disgusting.

“It is gut-wrenching. You gave your all, through thick and thin and part payment of wages. We struggled by, all the staff are the same, they had to fight the same way.” Gallagher is thought to be close to signing with Ross County. (Various)

Neil Murray suspension enrages ‘Bomber’

Dundee boss John ‘Bomber’ Brown has waded into the row over the suspension of Rangers chief scout Neil Murray.

Murray has been suspended pending an investigation into summer transfers, but Brown has hit out at the move.

Brown said:”You will get no more honourable man than Neil Murray and it’s disgraceful that he should be treated in this manner.

“There are some who think I shouldn’t comment on matters like this, but I can’t stand by and see a good man’s name tarnished.” (Sun)

Boyd: ‘I was wrong to ditch Scotland’

Kilmarnock’s Kris Boyd has admitted that he was wrong to turn his back on Scotland five years ago.

Boyd quit the side after being overlooked for Chris Iwelumo for an appearance against Norway, but has now admitted his error.

Boyd said: “When I look at my situation with Scotland I can ask – was I right or wrong?

“I probably shouldn’t have done it, but I needed to go back and start again. I was going away with Scotland for ten days at a time and not playing.” (Various)

Sandaza taking legal advice as suspension continues

Francisco Sandaza is taking legal advice from the Professional Footballers’ Association, as his suspension from Ibrox continues.

The Rangers striker, suspended after telling a hoax agent that he would leave Rangers for more cash, is thought to be keen to avoid an exit from the club. Sandaza has also suggested he could sue the hoaxer.

Referring to the scandal, Ally McCoist admitted that “nothing surprises or shocks” him about Rangers after the club’s last 18 months. (Sun)

Morton unveil SPL stadium plan

Morton, who are just a point off the lead in the First Division, will carry out a £750,000 refurbishment of Cappielow if they make next season’s SPL. 700 new seats will be added to the ‘Cowshed’, while one of the main stands will have a roof put on it. The upgrade plan is designed to meet the SPL’s minimum capacity requirements. (Herald)

Rumour Mill: League reconstruction | Scotland criticism