Rumour Mill: Rangers | Paul Gascoigne

Rangers face new row with SPL over £500,000 legal fees

Rangers face a fresh row with the SPL over a £500,000 legal bill in the wake of the EBT tribunal which threatened to strip Rangers of titles won over an 11-year period.

The club branded SPL efforts to recoup their costs as “ridiculous”, and accused the league body of trying to prolong the affair.

Though the oldco was fined £250,000 by a three-man panel chaired by Lord Nimmo Smith, Rangers were cleared of wrongdoing over EBT payments made to players between 2000 and 2011.

A Rangers spokesman said: “This matter has been dragged out long enough and we had thought Lord Nimmo Smith’s verdict would have been an end to it. Attempting to stretch it out further does nothing to help the image of a game torn by dissension and engulfed in turmoil.

“Lord Nimmo Smith apportioned no blame against Rangers FC and thus no sanctions were imposed. It is inconceivable that the SPL should even think about pursuing this club for costs against what was widely regarded as an ill-conceived course of action by them in the first place.” (The Sun, Daily Mail)

Paul Gascoigne: Ally McCoist lucky he didn’t join me in rehab

Paul Gascoigne has backed Ally McCoist after seeing his former team-mate steer Rangers to their Third Division title, and urged Charles Green to put faith in his manager. Speaking to The Sun, Gascoigne said: “Once Coisty starts investing in the players he wants then you can judge him properly.

“That will be him as the real Rangers manager, when he has an open wallet to play with.”

Gascoigne also said he was “proud” of McCoist and expressed sympathy for his toils, saying: “God knows how many sleepless nights Ally has had this season, yet he’s still there fighting.

“Good on him, it’s a wonder he didn’t end up in rehab with me!” (The Sun)

Neil Alexander insists he wants to stay at Rangers

Neil Alexander has spoken out about his contract situation at Rangers after denying he gave an interview to a tabloid newspaper yesterday regarding his Ibrox ‘exit’. Alexander contested quotes attributed to him suggesting that excessive financial demands had scuppered his chances of a new deal. He told the Daily Record: “I have to speak out and clear my name. I can’t just sit back and take this kind of stuff any more. I’ve not done interviews with the Press since just before Christmas.”

Alexander also told the Record that he had put his house and car up for sale in order to soften the blow of a downsized contract.

He added: “There has been a steady stream of misinformation about my situation appearing in various newspapers.. I gave up a six figure-sum to help the club through administration and I’ll never see that money again. Even now I want take a pay cut to stay.” (Daily Record)

Gary Holt appointed new Falkirk manager

Gary Holt will be installed as Falkirk manager today after beating off competition for the post from Colin Cameron, Gary Bollan and Bairns legend Russell Latapy.

The 40-year-old, who replaces now-Coventry City manager Steven Pressley, was previously assistant academy manager at Norwich. (Daily Express)

Stuart Dougall mounts defence of SPL refereeing

Stuart Dougall has defended refereeing standards in Scotland’s top flight following a raft of criticisms regarding officiating standards in the SPL. Bobby Madden came under fire from Neil Lennon after sending off Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama against St Mirren, but Dougal defended the whistler, saying: “Does Bobby want to wake up on Monday morning and read headlines about him being appalling? Absolutely not. What he does want is to go out and be the best referee he can be. Bobby has had some great games this season, but I haven’t seen anyone lauding him. That’s not what we do.” (Daily Mail)

IN BRIEF

• Ally McCoist is chasing Panama international Anibal Godoy after scouting the 23-year-old in a World Cup qualifer. The 24-year-old plays for Panaman side Chepo. (Daily Record)

Rumour Mill: Rangers | Paul Gascoigne | Gary Holt