Rumour Mill: Rangers blast | Neil Lennon

Rangers side ‘the worst in history’, says Charles Green

Charles Green has claimed that this season’s Rangers are the worst team the club has ever fielded. Ally McCoist’s side are 23 points clear at the top of the Third Division and are all but certain of winning the league title. But Green said that the team’s lack of quality has been all too apparent at times this season, though his frank comments came as he came out in defence of the Ibrox manager. “This is probably the worst Rangers team you have ever seen,” Green said. “Nobody is happy, the fans aren’t happy, the board isn’t happy and Ally McCoist isn’t happy. Ally’s hands are tied and can’t sign players.” (Daily Record)

Rangers target Middlesbrough defender Andre Bikey

Rangers have prioritised the signing of Middlesbrough defender Andre Bikey as the Ibrox side attempt to shore up their leaky defence. Bikey, 28, was a Rangers target last summer, but he opted to sign a one-year deal to remain in the Championship instead. Ally McCoist is understood to be recruiting for at least two new central defenders.

Rangers are under a transfer embargo that restricts them to signing players who are out of contract in the summer. (Daily Express)

Peter Lawell: Neil Lennon will be in demand

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell admitted that he may struggle to hold onto manager Neil Lennon after Celtic’s impressive Champions League exploits. Despite crashing out to Juventus in the last 16, Lawwell was full of praise for Celtic’s extended European run, and said: “We are not naive enough to think people won’t be recognising that elsewhere. If Neil keeps on progressing and being successful, I’m sure he will be courted at some point. But Celtic is a big part of Neil Lennon. Maybe he won’t be able to get elsewhere what he gets at Celtic? We’re hoping that he stays for a long, long time.” (The Sun)

Jim Jefferies questions Falkirk motives over fixture switch

Dunfermline manager Jim Jefferies has poured scorn on suggestions that Falkirk’s offer to reschedule a fixture between the two sides is down to altruistic motives. Jefferies told reporters that the gesture was motivated by the Bairns’ desire to give themselves a week off ahead of their Scottish Cup semi-final tie against Hibernian. Falkirk have offered to reschedule the fixture from April 9 to the end of this month, which would bring a welcome boost to Dunfermline’s coffers. But Jefferies said he had “reservations” about the motives behind the offer, saying: “They’re doing it because they want a free week for the Cup semi-final, they’re not doing it to help us. I know that for a fact. Way back in November when we realised this game was a Tuesday we asked them to bring it forward to the Saturday of an international break but Falkirk didn’t agree. I don’t know the reasons but it’s fuinny they want it brought forward now.” (Daily Record)

Andrew Shinnie agrees Birmingham deal

Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s Andrew Shinnie has reportedly agreed terms with Birmingham City. The Scotland international accepted terms and passed a medical with the Midlands side in what will be a blow for Terry Butcher’s top six ambitions for the club. (Daily Express)

Peter Grant: Time to move on from EBTs

Former Celtic player Peter Grant has joined calls for Scottish football to move on from Rangers’ EBT judgement, saying that irrespective of what happened, the matter was in the past.

“I’d have loved the medals, that’s for sure. I enjoyed playing atgainst the Gascoignes and the Laudrups and I’m not going to cry over it. Whether they made illegal payments is by-the-by for me. You’ve got to accept it and move on.” (The Sun)

Steven Pressley moves closer to Falkirk exit

Steven Pressley is set to complete a move to Coventry City after a compensation package is reported to have been agreed with Falkirk. The outgoing Bairns manager agreed personal terms with Coventry City yesterday. (Daily Mail)

Rumour Mill: Rangers blast | Neil Lennon | Dunfermline fixture