Rumour Mill: Rangers | Graham Wallace

Darren Fletcher: Back in training with Manchester United. Picture: PA

Graham Wallace will be hit at Rangers, says Mike Summerbee

New Rangers chief executive Graham Wallace has been backed by Manchester City legend Mike Summerbee. Wallace worked alongside club ambassador Summerbee for four years at Eastlands, and was key to stabilising the club during the period of Sheikh Mansour’s enormous investment into the Manchester club.

Summerbee said: “It’s a great appointment for Rangers - not just because of what he can do in the boardroom but because Graham is just such a good man. Rangers couldn’t have anyone better for the job.”

Dumfries-born Wallace further reinforces the current Rangers board, which now numbers five, following the recent appointments of David Somers as acting chairman and Norman Crighton as a non-executive director alongside major shareholder James Easdale and finance director Brian Stockbridge. (Daily Record, Scotsman)

SPFL may pursue Rangers for £250,000

The SPFL is considering pursuing Rangers for £250,000 over a fine levied by an SPL-backed commission in February. Lord Nimmo Smith had found Rangers guilty of not disclosing payments made to individuals through their EBT scheme. The findings also said that the club’s new owners should not be held to account for the wrongdoing of their predecessors.

However, lawyers for the SPFL are examining a provision which may allow them to recover the money, the Five-Way Agreement. The deal granted Rangers an SFA licence, which in turn gave the club entry into the SFL. The Five-Way Agreement stipulates that all monies classed as “football debts” must be paid, and SPFL lawyers will argue that a fine from the SPL carries the same weight under those terms as one owed to other football clubs. (Daily Mail)

David Forde flattered by Celtic link

Millwall goalkeeper David Forde has admitted his delight at being linked to a move to Celtic. The Republic of Ireland international is being closely monitored by Celtic as fears grow over Fraser Forster, whose impressive displays in goal for the Parkhead side are catching the attentions of clubs across the continent. A sale in January could see a deal done for Forde in the space of just six weeks. Forde will be a free agent in the summer, and is able to discuss deals with other clubs from January 1.

Forde said: “To be linked with a club like Celtic is amazing. I grew up supporting them and just to be associated with them has given me a lift. It’s very flattering.” (The Sun)

Celtic signing Fridjonsson sold on move by ex-Rangers players

New Celtic striker Holmbert Fridjonsson has revealed how two former Rangers players helped persuade him to join the Scottish champions.

Among Fridjonsson’s team-mates at Fram were former Rangers players, Steven Lennon and Alan Lowing, as well as ex-Motherwell midfielder Jordan Halsman. All gave him glowing references of his new employer.

“I spoke to Steven and Alan about it, as well as to Jordan,” said Fridjonsson. “When Celtic came in for me, they told me to go for it. They said it was a no-brainer. Even though they played for Rangers, they told me to join Celtic straight away.” (Scotsman)

Hearts: Robertson fears impact of transfer embargo

The embargo on Hearts making new signings is a short-term punishment but could be doing lasting damage to some of the most promising players at Tynecastle, according to John Robertson.

The former Hearts player and manager accepts that the club deserves to be penalised for the financial chaos inflicted upon it by former owner Vladimir Romanov, but believes that the authorities should have given more thought to the consequences of the two-window signing ban.

If you run into the financial situation that Hearts run into, you deserve your punishment,” Robertson said yesterday. “But I don’t think they look at the embargo deeply enough. They just look at the first team and think: ‘Right, that’s what you’ve got, get on with it, you can’t sign any players.’” (Scotsman)

Solskjaer looks forward to Darren Fletcher return

Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed old team-mate Darren Fletcher to make a full recovery and is looking forward to him being able to celebrate his return to first-team action with his family, as Solskjaer did when he returned from a near-three-year spell on the sidelines following a serious knee injury.

“For me, the proudest moment in my career was when I made my comeback from injury, scored for Manchester United and my son celebrated by clenching his fists,” said Solskjaer. “Fletch has got his own twins so I’m sure he’ll want to play to show them he’s a good player. When I met him recently he seemed very positive so I’m sure it’s going to happen.”

He added: It’s fantastic news that Darren is on his way back,” said Solskjaer. “I was over in Manchester about a month ago and I was lucky enough to bump into Fletch and he said he was on the road to recovery.” (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Bilel Mohsni says he has Ally McCoist to thank for rescuing him from a torrid spell at Southend. Calling the move to Glagow “the best decision I ever made”, Mohsni said he had spent all of his savings on his parents and suffered racist abuse from opposing players during his spell in England - nearly quitting the game as a result. (Daily Record)

Tom English: Nothing to fear but Milan reputation

Milan remain a universal brand and an iconic football club, but the outfit that will  arrive in Glasgow next week for a key Champions League match with Celtic are a diminished lot. They are like an ageing Holly wood superstar; still famous but no longer easy on the eye. True, they beat Celtic 2-0 the last time they met, but those goals came late and only after Neil Lennon’s team had wasted a number of chances of their own. READ MORE >>

Rumour Mill: Rangers | Graham Wallace | Fletcher