Rumour Mill: Rangers | Gattuso job

Rino Gattuso, right, could make his return to Scottish football as Hamilton manager. Picture: TSPL

Rangers lose £250,000 fine appeal

Rangers face more financial pressures after failing to secure permission to appeal against the imposition of a £250,000 fine for undisclosed payments to players.

Rangers are fighting the Scottish Professional Football League’s attempts to recover the fine, which was handed down because of the oldco club’s failure to disclose many untaxed payments made to players throughout the first decade of this century. (Scotsman)

Gattuso aims for Scottish football return with Hamilton

Rino Gattuso is one of 50 applicants for the vacant Hamilton managerial role. The former Rangers midfielder is one of dozens of names in the frame to replace Alex Neil, who moved to Norwich earlier this week.

World Cup-winner Gattuso’s most recent managerial post was at Greek outfit OFI Crete. He resigned in December, citing the club’s financial difficulties for leaving. (Daily Mail)

Charlie Reid backs fan control bid at Hibs

Charlie Reid has welcomed the prospect of greater supporter involvement at Hibernian while also expressing hope that the initial plan for a 51 per stake can lead to complete fans’ ownership.

“I’m a collectivist, I believe Hibs is best run by the support,” Reid, one half of the Proclaimers, said. “My ideal would be that the entire club, 100 per cent, is run by supporters,” said Reid, one of seven founding directors of HSL. “That isn’t on offer at the moment but there is a change under way. For the first time in quarter of a century, Hibs is opening up.” (Scotsman)

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Celtic chase Dutch star Wesley Hoedt

Celtic have entered the race to sign Dutch centre-back Wesley Hoedt. The AZ Alkmaar player is valued at around £1.7 million - and Italian giants Lazio have already made a bid for the player, which was rejected by the Eredivisie side. The 20-year-old has become hot property across Europe after a series of stellar performances at the heart of the AZ Alkmaar defence. (Daily Express)

Celtic could land Gary Mackay-Steven for £250,000

Gary Mackay-Steven could make a January transfer window move from Dundee United to Celtic for as little as £250,000. The 24-year-old, who is out of contract this summer, has been subject to two bids from Sheffield United. But Celtic now look to be in pole position to sign him. A club insider told the Daily Record that any side interested in the midfielder would have to “put up or shut up” regarding his fee. (Daily Record)

Fraser Aird accuses Genero Zeefuik of disrespect

Fraser Aird has added extra spice to the visit of Hearts on Friday night by claiming Rangers have a better squad than the Championship leaders.

The Rangers player also accused Hearts’ Genero Zeefuik of being disrespectful following comments he made about the title race being “over” if Rangers were to lose to the Tynecastle outfit.

Aird said: “They are flying right now, playing a lot of football and scoring a lot of goals...but I still think that we have a better squad than them and better individual players but we need to go out and prove that.” (Press Association, Daily Mail)

Ronny Deila loosens booze leash on players

Celtic manager Ronny Deila has revealed that he allowed his players to drink during their week-long trip to the Canary Islands. Deila said that so long as his squad were fit then he had no issue with allowing his players some leisure time.

He said: “I’m not hard. If you are not fit you have a problem. But these players in this squad now are fit... the things we were talking about six months ago are not there any more.” (Daily Record)

Walter Smith: McCoist will return to management

Former Rangers boss Walter Smith believes Ally McCoist will want to try his luck in management again despite his turbulent Ibrox reign.

“I think Alistair will want to try management again, probably not in Scotland though. Once you have been an Old Firm manager I don’t think you’d want to come back here immediately.”

“But if he got an opportunity south of the border I’m sure he would be delighted to take it.” (Scotsman)

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Rumour Mill: Rangers | Gattuso job | Hibs fans