Rumour Mill: Rangers | Craig Gordon to Chelsea?

Interim chairman Paul Murray said the recovery process 'would take time'. Picture: John Devlin

Dave King ‘close to control’ at Ibrox

DAVE King could gain control of Rangers within the next 48 hours as remaining Ibrox board members Derek Llambias and Barry Leach edge closer to the exit door.

The pair are thought to have spent Monday planning their departure from the Championship club, with reports suggesting the duo had initially hoped to leave the club before chairman David Somers, who confirmed his resignation on Monday morning.

Somers chose to stand down rather than be forced out by shareholders at Friday’s EGM, and Llambias and Leach are set to follow suit - meaning King could wipe out the current regime with no need for the meeting to proceed.

Should the two step down, it is thought that King’s right-hand men Paul Murray and John Gilligan will be immediately installed as the club’s new directors. (Daily Record)

Goram backs King; says he’ll be good for Rangers and Scottish football

FORMER Rangers goalkeeper Andy Goram has begged the SFA not to block Dave King’s attempt to gain control at Rangers insisting he’s the perfect man for the job.

King is yet to convince Scottish football’s governing body of his ‘fit and proper’ person credentials, but Goram insists Rangers need King.

He said: “For the good of Rangers and Scottish football in general, the SFA need to give Dave King the green light.

“It would be damaging if they stood in his way because it would mean the present board would still be there, and we’ve seen what they have done.

“He has already said he is confident of passing the fit and proper test. There is investment there from King and the likes of Douglas Park - they are willing to put their money forward.” (Various)

Chelsea eye Craig Gordon swoop

CHELSEA are reportedly considering a shock move for Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Blues gaffer Jose Mourinho is after an experienced No 1 to play back-up to Thibaut Courtois with Petr Cech heading for the exit.

And the form of the Hoops goalie has reportedly caught the eye of Chelsea scouts as they scour Europe for a new goalkeeper.

It is understood Gordon is on a shortlist alongside the likes of John Ruddy, Brad Friedel, Shay Given and Rob Green.

However, whether Gordon would be happy kicking his heels on the bench after his comeback from injury is unlikely. (The Sun)

Deila comes clean over Stefan Scepovic

HE cost over £2 million and his signing was rushed through on the last day of the summer transfer window.

But four goals in 20 games from Stefan Scepovic has seen the Serbian hitman languishing in Celtic’s reserves - and he didn’t make the travelling party to Milan.

But Celtic boss Ronny Deila insists that the level of competition at Lennoxtown means not everyone is going to play a part.

He told the Evening Times: “Again, it’s tough competition for places. He knows the things I think he should work on to get better.

“He has to show me in training matches that he has improved on these things.

“Then I know how good a player he can be.” (Evening Times)

Armstrong and Mackay-Steven tipped for Scotland call-up

STUART McCall stopped short of confirming if Celtic duo Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven would receive Scotland call-ups but admitted he was heartened by the transition the pair had made since their transfers from Dundee United.

“Gary and Stuart’s impact at Celtic will certainly have caught Gordon [Strachan]’s eye. When we played against England, all of their players were playing at the top level of the Premier League and mostly in Europe.

“Gary and Stuart have hit the ground running and performed well in Europe, so that will be to their advantage.” (The Scotsman)

McCall tight-lipped over Ibrox job

STUART McCall also remained tight-lipped over the vacant managerial post at Ibrox but admitted: “It’s a job that most people with connections to the club would find difficult to turn down.”

The former Motherwell gaffer was linked with the position following Ally McCoist’s departure but said he’d had five chances to get back to club management in the last two or three months.

He added: “In the last two or three months I have had five opportunities to get back into the game, both north and south of the Border.

“From my point of view, there is a fine line between diving into something too early and being out of the game too long. I have looked at the opportunities and weighed them up.

“They have not really grabbed me, because being involved with Scotland, and working with Gordon, Mark [McGhee] and the national side, means a lot.” (The Scotsman)

Tributes paid to Hearts and Spurs legend Dave Mackay

TRIBUTES have been pouring in to Edinburgh-born footballing giant Dave Mackay, who made his name as a left-half and sweeper for Hearts, as well as Tottenham Hotspur and Derby County.

A family member said that the player passed away at the Queen’s Medical Hospital in Nottingham, with his wife and daughter by his side.

One of the greatest players football has ever known, he captained Hearts in 1957-58, when the Tynecastle side won the Scottish League title, before signing for Spurs in 1959 and helping them win the Double in 1960-61, further FA Cup victories in 1961–62 and 1966–67, and the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1962–63. (The Scotsman)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• New Inverness Caledonian Thistle acquisition Tarmo Kink is set to make his debut in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup

• Kris Doolan has been named the January McCrea Financial Services Player of the Month for Partick Thistle

• An Aberdeen man has been charged over abusive tweets relating to Celtic fan Jay Beatty

• Former Hibs and Celtic forward Derek Riordan has been offered a contract at East Fife, just days after scoring a last-minute winner against Annan