Rumour Mill: Rangers shares | Celtic Uefa appeal

Felix Magath hands his Rangers shares to fans

Felix Magath, the former Fulham manager, has given all of his 810,000 shares in the club to supporters ahead of next week’s EGM at Ibrox. The shares are now in the hands of the Rangers Supporters Trust, who thanked Magath in a statement. They now own a 5.53 per cent stake in the club.

The RTS said: “As Felix is a true football man, he has a deep appreciation of the problems faced by the fans and the club in the past few years. We sincerely thank him for his backing and hope that this is yet another signal to the current board that their time is coming to an end.” (Daily Record)

Celtic to appeal Uefa charges

Celtic will appeal two Uefa charges relating to the behaviour of their fans and their players at the San Siro, where they lost 1-0 to Inter Milan to crash out of the Europa League.

Club officials have asked supporters to name and shame flare-using fans that brought the club into disrepute for the seventh time in a little over three years. Celtic will also appeal the charge against their players’ conduct – brought about as a result of five bookings and the sending off of Virgil van Dijk – when a hearing will take place in Nyon next month. (The Scottish Sun)

Deila: Sky should show Celtic v Aberdeen respect

Ronny Deila, the Celtic manager, has accused Sky Sports of a lack of respect for Scottish football by decreeing tomorrow’s game kicks-off at 12 noon. It is the warm-up act for the English second tier meeting of Norwich City and Ipswich Town on the same channel which begins at 2:05pm.

“I understand it is the television controlling it and because Sky want it, we have to play before everyone else in England,” said Deila. “But when does it stop? Are we going to play games at 10am soon? We have to think of the fans as well – at 3pm, more people come and it would be an even bigger game.” (Scotsman)

Sir Alex Ferguson: Aberdeen ready to challenge Celtic

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed his old team Aberdeen to go all the way in the title race with Celtic when the two sides meet tomorrow at Parkhead.

In a Sky Sports interview, Sir Alex said: “It will be close. Celtic have more experience and a fantastic history and they have some good goalscorers in their team.

“It will be difficult for Aberdeen, but Derek McInnes has done a fantastic job up there, he really has. It’s been a few years since they have been in a position like they are in now.” (Daily Mail)

Dundee’s debt rises to £3.2 million

Dundee’s debts have increased to  almost £3.2 million after the Dens Park club announced losses of over £800,000 in their annual report.

The club was in the red to the tune of around £2.35m last year but that figure has now risen by £820,809 despite the Taysiders clinching last season’s Scottish Championship crown.

The losses for the 12 months up to 31 May come two years after the club was unexpectedly promoted to the top flight on the back of Rangers’ liquidation. In the report, the Dee board admits it did not cut its cloth accordingly after lasting just one year in the Premiership. (Dundee’s debt rises to £32 million)