Rumour Mill: Rangers| John Brown| Dunfermline

Rangers colts bid snubbed

Clubs in Division Three look set to snub Charles Green’s cash offer for letting Rangers and Celtic put ‘Colt’ teams into a revamped Scottish league.

Rangers have voiced a great deal of opposition to being put on the bottom step of a restructured 12-12-18 setup for the Scottish game, saying that they should go to the top tier and field a B team in the lower division.

But Division Three clubs look set to turn the option down, with Stirling Albion chairman Stuart Brown saying that Green’s offer of between £3000 or £4,000 would not even cover the cost of policing the games.

“I don’t imagine the police viewing the colt teams any differently from Rangers and Celtic’s first teams,” he said. “On the two occasions they came to our stadium there have been zero arrests and zero trouble, but that does not change how the police approach these games.” (Daily Record)

Brown in ‘no legs’ row

John Brown has sparked controversy over Scotland’s upcoming clash with Wales, saying that Gareth Bale can be neutralised because “you can’t run with no legs”.

The outspoken Dundee boss made the statement on BBC Scotland radio, and then made two denials that he had been advocating a policy of injuring the Welsh star, before eventually adding: “Well . . .I might have been.”

The comments come just days after Brown’s Dundee side were accused of harsh tackling during a derby match with United. (The Sun)

Leishman cool on investor talk

Jim Leishman is unconvinced by a possible deal to save Dunfermline which would involve a cash injection from a Swiss investor.

The troubled club has less than a week to survive after HMRC issued a winding up order over a tax debt of £134,000, but majority shareholder Gavin Masterton is currently in Switzerland involved in talks from an un-named individual to save the Pars from liquidation.

However, Leishman, who is chair of a steering group who are trying to raise funds to buy the club, said he couldn’t see it working out.

“The investor in Switzerland was not a Dunfermline supporter, and as far as the steering group was concerned, there was no way forward with that,” he said.

“I have since found out who he is and what they are about and we would not recommend this person to Dunfermline supporters.” (Herald)

Newton may stay

On-loan cup hero Conor Newton has said he may consider staying at St Mirren after helping the side win the League Cup on Sunday.

The young Newcastle star’s loan deal is up in the summer, but after seeing what he could achieve as part of the Buddies, Newton is keen to see what is next.

“I’ve loved my time here. St Mirren have a wee place in my heart now and I can see myself staying.”

Newton grabbed the third goal in the cup win over Hearts. (Daily Record)

McGlynn on Livi list

Livingston are said to be eyeing former Hearts boss John McGlynn.

It is reported that four candidates were interviewed for the manager’s role by the First Division club on Monday, with Richie Burke, Alex Cleland, and Mark Burchill all being on the list. (The Sun)