King promises funds for Gerrard

Rangers chairman Dave King has promised a significant player recruitment budget will be made available to new manager Steven Gerrard and insists it is not dependent on securing fresh external investment.

“The source of it doesn’t matter,” said King. “The share rights issue is one of the things we are pursuing but it is not critical.

Dave King has promised that Steven Gerrard will get funds to spend on players. Picture: SNS Group

“The funding will be made available, whether it is through a rights issue or otherwise.” (The Scotsman)

Musonda ‘could return to Chelsea’

Brendan Rodgers has revealed Charly Musonda could return to Chelsea this summer, with the Belgian under-21 international struggling to find a place in the first team since his loan switch.

The Celtic manager said: “[Chelsea] may well recall him. There is an agreement in place which is fairly relaxed. He’s probably not played as much as he would have liked, but there are obviously reasons for that.” (The Sun)

Gerrard ‘turned down 8 clubs before Gers’

New Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has revealed he knocked back eight other clubs before taking the top job at Ibrox.

He said: “Before Rangers came in for me, I’ve had probably as many as eight other opportunities to be a manager, to be a number two, to be a coach. There were different opportunities which presented themselves since I came home from Los Angeles. But I never got the right feeling from them. When Rangers came, it was a game changer.” (The Scotsman)

Christie focused on Dons

Ryan Christie’s loan spell at Pittodrie has been so impressive that Celtic have offered to extend his contract but the player has put talks on hold until he has helped Aberdeen clinch second place in the Premiership.

The midfielder doesn’t want any distraction from the task of proving that only his parent club are better than his current one in the league this season.

“There have been talks but I have put them to the side at the minute because my sole concentration is on Aberdeen,” said Christie. “I didn’t think it fair to start talking about that in such a critical part of the season.” (The Scotsman)

Murray in dark over Hibs future

Dundee striker Simon Murray is still in the dark over his future at parent club Hibs.

Murray was farmed out to Dens Park late on deadline day in the January transfer window, with Scott Allan going in the opposite direction.

But he has had no discussions with either Dundee or Hibs regarding his future beyond the next week. (Evening News)

Hearts ‘will have to wait’ over Mitchell

Hearts may need to wait until August to discover if Manchester United defender Demetri Mitchell can return to Tynecastle for next season.

Mitchell is fit for action on Sunday when Celtic visit Gorgie. He has not played since February due to a torn meniscus.

Levein is pleased to have him available for the final three league games but wants to negotiate another loan deal to bring him back for next season. (Evening News)

Rumour Mill: Funding in place for Gerrard | Musonda set for Chelsea return? | Gerrard '˜turned down 8 clubs'