Rumour Mill: Rangers | Dave King

A general view of Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. Picture: PA

Kenny McDowall resigns as caretaker Rangers boss

Kenny McDowall has tendered his resignation as caretaker manager of Rangers for “personal reasons”, the club announced last night.

A statement said that McDowall will serve a 12-month notice period under the terms of his contract, as his predecessor Ally McCoist was due to do.

The club said in a statement: “Kenny, who has been a fantastic servant of the club, will serve his 12-month notice period, during which time he will remain 100 per cent committed to his normal duties.” (Scotsman)

Rangers: Sandy Easdale buys up 1m Ibrox shares

Rangers football board chairman Sandy Easdale has increased his stake in the club after buying up more than one million shares, the Ibrox outfit has told the stock exchange.

The purchase means he now owns just over 5,250,000 shares - or just less than 6.5 per cent.

He previously owned 5.21 per cent but appears to have bought up his latest tranche on Friday afternoon just as Dave King was making his big move to sweep the current board out of Ibrox. (Scotsman)

Celtic step up Stuart Armstrong bid

Celtic are speeding up their pursuit of Dundee United midfielder Stuart Armstrong - whom Ronny Deila has compared to German World Cup winner Thomas Muller.

The Parkhead club are expected to have to pay up to £2.5 million to secure Armstrong’s signature this month. The playmaker has 18 months remaining on his contract, and unlike Gary Mackay-Steven - who Celtic have signed on a pre-contract - would command a sizeable fee.

Meanwhile, Deila has apologised for “offending” United manager Jackie McNamara over his conduct in tying up a deal for Mackay-Steven. (Daily Record)

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Gordon Strachan thought about quitting Scotland

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan considered quitting Scotland just two games into his reign, his assistant Mark McGhee revealed. After two losses against Serbia and Wales, the pair sat down to a gloomy breakfast in March 2013.

“I remember when we came back from Serbia we were the only two left at Mar Hall,” he recalled yesterday. “We were sitting across from each other at breakfast staring at each other and wondering ‘what have we done?’ Maybe we even thought ‘should we keep doing it?’

“From that point we decided that we had to change something and we decided that we would do it his way and not what players might think or expect.” (Scotsman)

Dave King: Rangers board ‘one of the worst ever’

DAVE King says he will have no problem convincing both stock market bosses and football chiefs that he is fit enough to run Rangers.

King, who has called an extraordinary general meeting in an attempt to oust the current board, has called the current regime “one of the worst the club has ever had.”

He added: “The enthusiasm that this board adopts to ‘media management’ and its failure to act in the interest of shareholders and other stakeholders is exactly why they should be jettisoned in favour of directors who have the requisite business skills and respect for the tradition of Rangers to take the club forward.” (Scotsman)

Celtic and Valencia linked with Darren Fletcher

Celtic, Valencia, West Bromwich Albion and West Ham have all been credited with an interest in Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher, with speculation growing that he will soon leave Manchester United as he enters the last six months of his Old Trafford contract.

Fletcher, who turns 31 next month, has been at United his entire career but it looks likely he will move on soon as Louis van Gaal continues to rebuild the squad he inherited from Sir Alex Ferguson.

With more players set to arrive under the Van Gaal revolution, Fletcher’s chances could be set to be restricted further, despite being named vice-captain at the start of the season by the new Dutch manager. (Scotsman)

Hamilton Accies to charge 10p for Saturday game

Hamilton will ask fans to shell out just 10p to see them play Inverness on Saturday.

The generous gesture is a numerical tribute to Alex Neil and Frankie McAvoy - Neil wore No10 for the club, and McAvoy has spent a decade at the club. McAvoy will join Neil at Norwich after the weekend.

Vice-chairman Ronnie Macdonald said: “As a mark of the esteem we hold them in, we have designated Saturday’s game as a tribute to these significant 10s and will make the admission charge for all spectators, home or away, just 10p. (Various)

Rino Gattuso: Why I want to be Hamilton manager

Rino Gattuso has won the biggest trophies in the game at least once – but he has always felt that he had unfinished business in Scotland.

The 37-year-old is in the frame to replace Alex Neil as manager at New Douglas Park and he’s so keen on the job that he’s ordered his agent not to listen to any other offers until Accies announce their decision.

“With the experience I have gained during my playing career,” he said, “I can teach them a lot. I like working with young players.” (Scotsman)

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Rumour Mill: Rangers | Dave King | 10p Accies