Rumour Mill: Rangers| Leigh Griffiths| Celtic

Rangers have praised the teams who blocked the league revamp. Picture: Getty

Rangers welcome SPL deal collapse

Rangers have defended the clubs who blocked the revamp of the Scottish league.

While St Mirren and Ross County have come under heavy fire for their refusal to back the 12-12-18 structure plan, Rangers have leapt to the defence of the clubs.

A Rangers spokesman said: “The vast majority of supporters did not want 12-12-18 and the two clubs who voted against this should not be singled out for criticism. They stood up for what they and for what their fans believe.” (Sun)

Leigh Griffiths will leave Hibs

Hibs fans look away now, Leigh Griffiths is heading back to Wolves.

The Easter Road club will be unable to keep their star player after Wolves boss Dean Saunders confirmed that they will be taking up a one-year option in the striker’s contract.

Griffiths’ contract ends in the summer but Wolves are taking the option in order to make him a part of their plans south of the border.

“We have got that option and we will be taking that up,” said Saunders. “He scored a great goal in the semi-final and he has done well for Hibs.

“Obviously he is playing a different level and I think we have strikers here who would do really well at that level, really, really well. But it is progress for him. Goalscorers are hard to find and he has got a fantastic record up there this season.” (Scotsman)

Brittain wants to stay at County

Ross County star Richard Brittain has asked St Johnstone to rip up a pre-contract deal to join the Perth club, after admitting he wants to stay in Dingwall.

Brittain had been due to start a two-year agreement at the end of this season, but with County now chasing a Europa League spot, the midfielder is keen to see it through.

However, St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas said: “As far as I am concerned, Richard Brittain has signed a pre-contract with us and will come to St Johnstone. We have lodged the papers and done everything by the book and we expect Richard to be a St Johnstone player next season.” (Daily Express)

Ledley says Celtic fine without midfield stars

Joe Ledley says Celtic will do just fine without their midfield stars at the Scottish Cup final.

While Scott Brown is injured, Victor Wanyama and Beram Kayal will be out due to bookings, but Ledley isn’t too worried.

“It will be very difficult for us without Victor and Beram,” he said. “But we’ve got Tom Rogic who can come in while Charlie Mulgrew has also played in midfield.”(Daily Express)

• Meanwhile Scott Brown says he’ll do everything within his power to make himself available for the cup.

The midfielder was told he could be out for upto eight weeks, but Brown says he believes he can make it. (Sun)

Sergio ‘stabbed in the back’

Former Hearts boss Paulo Sergio was knifed in the back by his own players, according to the Romanian football chief who sacked him this week.

Sergio was ousted from Cluj despite guiding the side to a famous win over Manchester United in the Champions League, but a run of recent losses caused the squad to turn on him, says Julius Muresan.

“He’s a great coach,” said Muresan. “But I do not understand why the team has not responded in recent matches.

“The players stuck a knife in his back and they should feel guilty.” (Daily Mail)