Rumour Mill: McCoist | Lennon | Hearts

Fans slam karaoke Ally McCoist

RANGERS fans have hit out at manager Ally McCoist after a picture was circulated online of the Ibrox boss at a post-match party following the Gers 1-0 loss to Raith Rovers in the Ramsdens Cup Final.

Pictured with a microphone in his hand, McCoist is said to have performed ‘Bat out of Hell’ by Meat Loaf and Bruce Springsteen favourite ‘Dancing in the Dark’ just hours after an extra time goal from John Baird handed the Fifers victory over the League One side.

Supporters blasted McCoist, with one posting on an online forum: “Surely it was not from last night? Surely they wouldn’t have the audacity?” while a fellow Rangers fan added: “Were they all singing after I spent around six hours travelling, and spent like 100 quid? Get them sacked!”

However, an Ibrox insider claimed McCoist had been cajoled into the sing-song, adding: “To be honest, it was very low-key, the whole thing. Obviously they had been beaten.”

A Rangers spokeswoman added that it a ‘post-match meal’ had been previously arranged at the stadium. (Daily Record)

Wallace an injury doubt for Rangers

THE Ibrox side, meanwhile, face a sweat over the fitness of defender Lee Wallace. The former Hearts man limped out of the Ramsdens Cup defeat and has been diagnosed with a hip flexor problem.

Although the Scotland international attempted to play on, he made way for Seb Faure with just over 20 minutes remaining of normal time.

He showed up to Murray Park yesterday for treatment but Rangers are hopeful he may make the Scottish Cup semi final with Dundee United, with the club already missing David Templeton, Lewis MacLeod and Andy Little. (Evening Times)

Lenny will stay, insists Brown

NEIL Lennon won’t turn his back on Celtic, according to Parkhead captain Scott Brown. The ex-Hibs midfielder has no interest in playing down south and believes his manager is going nowhere.

Brown said: “Somebody might make him an offer but the gaffer is huge at this club and he loves it here.

“He enjoys coming into training every day and he loves the facilities we have. We enjoy it every day.”

Lennon, who was loosely linked with the vacant Norwich post after the sacking of Chris Hughton has an ‘incredible’ record, according to Brown, who added: “Everyone can say it is because Rangers are not in the top league but I think the results would be the exact same even if they were there because [Lennon] puts that drive and winning mentality into the squad, the same as he had as a player.” (The Scotsman)

Murray welcomes Hearts progress

FOUNDATION of Hearts chairman Ian Murray MP last night welcomed the progress made in Vilnius, as the Tynecastle club took a step closer to safety. A UBIG creditors’ meeting voted in favour of the transfer of its 50 per cent shareholding in Hearts, and while a scheduled meeting with Ukio creditors failed to take place, informal talks were held between the Hearts administrators and are set to continue this week.

A meeting has been scheduled for the end of this week, but the delay means Hearts - who reportedly have enough funding to see them to the end of April - will be waiting with bated breath for the outcome of the Ukio creditors’ meeting.

But FoH chairman Murray remained positive, adding: “Today has been incredibly positive. We’re a step closer to the goal of getting Hearts out of administration, and we’re still within the timescale BDO has set [for a completion] within the financial resources of the club. (The Scotsman)

Butcher welcomes relegation sweat

HIBS manager Terry Butcher last night said ‘Bring it on’ as his club slipped closer to the dreaded play-off spot in the Scottish Premiership. Failing to register a single shot on target, Butcher’s misfiring Hibs squad went down 2-0 at home to Aberdeen, thanks to two goals from Niall McGinn.

The boos that echoed around Easter Road are becoming a regular phenomenon, but Butcher - who admitted his shot-shy side are lacking in confidence - said he was up for the battle, adding: “A situation like this tests your character and your mettle. We need to make sure our character is stronger than that of any other teams.

“Are my team up for it? That remains to be seen. I hope they are and I’ve got confidence in the boys that we’ll get the points.”

Easy for Butcher to say - his side have registered just one win in fourteen, and rarely threatened Aberdeen last night. But the former Inverness boss admitted: “How many points fo we need? Listen, a goal would be good. A shot on target would be good.

“Goals get you points, but where’s that spark, the ingenuity on the edge of the box? We haven’t got that.” (The Sun)

Rumour Mill: McCoist | Lennon | Hearts | Hibs