Rumour Mill: Rangers| Whyte| McFadden| League talks

“Whyte has no claim to Rangers”

Rangers finance chief Brian Stockbridge has accused former Rangers owner Craig Whyte of trying to hold the club to ransom, but that Whyte has no claim to the club.

Stockbridge has stated that Whyte has no case for claiming any Rangers assets and no shred of a legal case, and he has the papers to prove it.

Stockbridge said: “I have the title deeds for Ibrox, Murray Park and the Albion car park. There si speculation Craig Whyte owns them, or Charles Green, or that the club doesn’t. It is very easily dispelled.

“Most of the rumours circulating are malicious and designed to destabilise. Fans need clarity and to know there is nothing untoward in the company - and there isn’t.” (Sunday Mail)

McCoist wants answers this time

Rangers manager Ally McCoist is refusing to endorse new interim chief executive Craig Mather until he gets more answers.

Last summer McCoist came under pressure to endorse Charles Green, with the knowledge that the Rangers legend’s seal of approval would sway fans and boost season ticket sales. This year McCoist is holding out for more reassurances over the future of his club.

McCoist said: “I was nervous last year about it and I’ll be nervous this year about it.

“The focus was on my decision to try to influence supporters last season and it will be on it again. But I’m 100 per cent duty bound to be honest with the fans.”

Hibs on the prowl for new talent

Pat Fenlon has said he and the Hibs backroom staff are scouring the globe for new recruits for next season.

With Eoin Doyle and Leigh Griffiths heading out of Easter Road the Edinburgh club know they must add depth to their ranks, and football development director Dave Henderson has been on the look out for new talent.

Fenlon said: “He (Henderson) has been a fiar bit around Europe in the last few weeks. So we are looking and obviously, have to look in a certain area, with the money we have to spend.” (Sun)

Celtic could renew McFadden interest

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has refused to rule out a summer move for James McFadden. The 49-times capped Scotland internationalist will line up against the champions for Motherwell today as he continues a re-emergence that began when he signed a short-term deal to return him to his first senior club in February.

Lennon said: “I’m not going to talk about transfer targets [but] I wouldn’t rule it out, put it that way.

“We did make enquiries [two summers ago]. I did speak to him but we decided to go elsewhere”. (Scotland on Sunday)

Lenny should be manager of the year

Paul Hartley has backed his former Celtic team-mate to get the nod for Scotland’s Manager of they Year prize.

Hartley said Lennon’s achievements in the SPL and Champions League this season should put him as favourite to win. (Sun)

Fresh talks on league reconstruction

Dundee supremo Scot Gardiner has insisted that the Scottish League reconstruction idea is not dead in the water.

Dees chief executive Gardiner is confident a deal can be salvaged even after Ross County and St Mirren put the kibosh on the 12-12-18 proposal by voting against it.

Gardiner said: “The two clubs have told us what’s not acceptable to them so we’re trying to find something that is.

“The big thing is there is a will for change. The proposal as it was is dead - that won’t be resurrected - but there is a will to do something.” (Various)