Rumour Mill: Manuel Pascali

Richard Foster became involved in an angry exchange with supporters during the second half of his sides quarter-final win at Bayview. Picture: SNS

Kilmarnock captain Manuel Pascali has rubbished claims his team are to strike

Manuel Pascali has rubbished suggestions his team are weighing up strike action over a bonus row. The Rugby Park captain took to twitter after a report claimed Kilmarnock’s players were considering withdrawing their labour for the game away to Celtic. Though the dispute is ongoing the defender made it clear that going on strike was not an option. He tweeted: “We want to support our rights but we are not stupid. Only strike I know is in bowling #gameon” (Record)

Ally McCoist to hold talks with Richard Foster over bust-up with Rangers fans

Ally McCoist vowed to carpet Richard Foster over his bust-up with Rangers fans last night. Defender Foster became involved in an angry exchange with supporters during the second half of his side’s quarter-final win at Bayview. McCoist said: “I didn’t see it but you will never win the battle arguing with fans. The irony isn’t lost on me that when they get a bit of stick the toys come out of the pram. That’s coming from someone who’s had more than his fair share of stick from football fans. I’ll have a wee word with him.” (Various)

Maurice Malpas lashes out at departing Mark Wotte

Maurice Malpas last night accused Mark Wotte of acting like a bully and ‘blackmailing’ clubs. Malpas claims the SFA performance director - who quit yesterday - forced clubs to back his vision by giving them £10,000 handouts. And in his opinion Wotte did little to improve the country’s youth set-up in three years in the post. Malpas said: “He didn’t think about the players We were having to travel every week to the central belt. He was demanding 7pm kick offs and I know this sounds quite petty but we weren’t getting back to Inverness until 2am. You were being bullied. Or more like blackmailed - because you got £10,000 maximum if you played at the times dictated. We had to suck it up.” (Sun)

Sir Alex Ferguson refuses to take any blame over David Moyes tenure

Sir Alex Ferguson has absolved himself of any blame for David Moyes’ disastrous reign at Manchester United. In an updated version of his autobiography, extracts from which were published yesterday, Ferguson accuses his fellow Scot of going against the club’s attacking traditions by adopting a slower style of play to which the players never adapted. In the extracts it is also claimed by Ferguson that he was not consulted by the Old Trafford hierarchy about their decision to sack Moyes. (Mail)

Dave King intends to make a statement about Rangers bail-out

Dave King intends to make a statement regarding the bail-out offer to the Rangers board before his planned return flight to South Africa tomorrow. The proposal would apparently offer a £16 million cash injection in return for a 51 per cent stake acquired through a new share issue. The plan would require the support of the majority of the Ibrox directors and the backing of 75 per cent of shareholders at the club’s AGM to be held before the end of the year. (Mail)

News in brief:

• Stefan Johansen insists he’d never quit Celtic for Bolton if he was Kris Commons. (Mail)

• Astra Giuriu’s Europa League preparations for the match against Celtic when their flight to Scotland was delayed amid claims the charter had not been paid for. (Various)

• Hibs boss Alan Stubbs has praised Danny Handling’s attitude after the young striker played his way into contention for Sunday’s Edinburgh derby after scoring at the weekend. (Mail)

• Hearts skipper Danny Wilson is set to return to the team for the game against Hibs on Sunday. (Mail)

• Former Hibs and Celtic striker Derek Riordan will have to prove himself to Brechin boss Ray McKinnon before the team manager will offer him a route back into the game. (Express)

Rumour Mill: Manuel Pascali | Richard Foster