Rumour Mill: Michael Higdon| Rangers| Hibs| Celtic

Michael Higdon says some of the comments have been uncalled for. Picture: SNS

Higdon hits back

Michael Higdon has hit back at Celtic boss Neil Lennon, saying that his comments about the Player of the Year Awards were out of order.

Award contender Higdon rubbed salt in the wound by scoring against Celtic during Motherwell’s 3-1 victory over the Hoops, after Neil Lennon was reported as saying that none of the contenders were good enough to play for his squad.

Higdon said: “What Neil said hasn’t soured my nomination. I was very happy to be nominated and I’ve been playing consistently well. I just think some of the things said have been a bit uncalled for.” (The Sun)

New attempt for revamp

Another attempt will be made to secure agreement on the future structure of Scottish football, after it was revealed that all 12 SPL clubs have been invited to a meeting at Hampden.

Previous plans for a 12-12-18 system were shot down when Ross County and St Mirren voted against them.

However, County appear to be more optimistic this time round.

Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor said: “Change isn’t a necessity, it’s inevitable. We’ve got to find the right formula. There is a meeting next week and I really believe that something will come back to the table that everyone can buy into.” (The Scotsman)

McCulloch reveals quit reason

Lee McCulloch has revealed that the reason he quit playing for Scotland was due to the chaotic organisation under George Burley.

Rangers man McCulloch left the national side in 2008 as he said the setup didn’t fill him with confidence.

“My early impressions of George Burley were not good,” he said.

“I often thought he had a lack of belief in himself.

“He seemed nervous addressing the players during team meetings. He’d get players ‘ names mixed up. He sort of stuttered and was never convincing.

“I could only see troubled times ahead. I thought it lacked the professionalism I was used to at Rangers and previous Scotland squads. I didn’t want to be a part of it.” (Daily Record)

Booze scheme backing

Hibs have waded into calls to scrap the alcohol ban in Scottish Football.

General sale of drink has been banned inside grounds since 1980, and several clubs have been shown an interest in a pilot scheme.

And the Easter Road club are the latest to have their say.

A Hibs spokesman said: “If there was to be a pilot scheme or to be used in a trial period we’d be willing to join in with that.” (Daily Record)

McCoist in budget hopes

Ally McCoist is hoping to have a bit more room to sign new players next season as he holds crunch budget talks with the club’s new interim chief executive Craig Mather this week.

McCoist said: “Craig is of the same opinion as myself; the most important thing is that we move the club forward. In doing that we have to bring a freshness to the club in terms of players.

“I will have a better idea of a budget in the next week or so and I look forward to hearing that.” (The Sun)