Rumour Mill: Celtic | Rangers

Celtic players look stunned as Danny Swanson wheels away to celebrate his goal. Picture: SNS

Swanson screamer consigns Celtic to home defeat

A WONDERGOAL from St Johnstone midfielder Danny Swanson handed the Saints a 1-0 win at Celtic Park last night - just days after the Hoops beat title rivals Aberdeen 4-0.

The on-loan Coventry City midfielder hit a shot that swerved wickedly beyond Craig Gordon after the Celtic defence had failed to deal with a David Wotherspoon corner.

Celtic, who looked off-the-boil throughout the 90 minutes, passed up the chance to go nine points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premiership but Swanson’s 53rd-minute winner lifted the Perth side into the top six. (The Scotsman)

No excuses, admits Deila

RONNY Deila refused to blame Celtic’s hectic fixture schedule as they crashed to a 1-0 home defeat to St Johnstone.

The Hoops - who played their third game in a week - looked sluggish as Danny Swanson’s effort was enough to seal victory for the visitors.

Deila said: “We are not looking for excuses, the display wasn’t good enough. I also have to say it has been a very hard programme for us. We’ve been playing important matches and today we suffered a big setback.

“I’m disappointed with that but now we need to bounce back on Sunday.

“Every time we play in Scotland we are favourites and today we lacked fight.

“We didn’t fight enough even though we started the game quite well. (Daily Record)

McDowall warns King: It’ll take 5 years to fix Rangers

KENNY McDowall has warned Dave King he should be prepared for the long haul - because it could take him five years to fix Rangers.

King claims he is on the verge of a dramatic return to Ibrox after forcing out the current regime.

The South Africa-based businessman is due to fly into Scotland today and his first task will be to appoint a new boss.

Rangers have experienced losses stretching to almost £25 million over the last two years and the resulting cutbacks have left the club without a scouting network or youth system anywhere near fit for purpose.

And McDowall claims it could take King until the year 2020 to put things right.

He said: “The whole infrastructure’s got to be looked at. It’s been decimated over the past four years. This is a long-term project, it’s not going to be fixed overnight.” (Various)

Paul Murray in line to be interim chairman

DAVE KING has revealed Paul Murray will be named as Rangers chairman on Friday while the Stock Market and SFA bosses rule on whether he is fit and proper.

King released a statement last night that accepted he should be scrutinised by finance bosses and Hampden chiefs.

King was found guilty of 41 tax charges, also insisted he is ready to “rebuild relationships” with the rest of Scottish football.

He said: “It is important that I lead by example following my commitment to transparency and accountability.

“I will therefore delay acceptance of my appointment as director until the regulators have completed due process.

“Paul Murray has agreed to act as interim chairman of the company until this process has been concluded.” (Daily Record)

Trading in Rangers shares suspended

Trading in Rangers shares was suspended last night after nominated adviser - Nomad -WH Ireland quit.

The Stock Exchange called a halt on the sale of Rangers International Football Club plc stocks around 4pm.

The firm pulled out just 24 hours after Dave King announced he was heading for a “landslide” victory which would clear out the remaining regime.

But the development will not stop the club’s general meeting going ahead tomorrow and King insists he already has a replacement Nomad lined up. (The Scotsman)

Magath won’t rule out Rangers role

EX-Fulham boss Felix Magath has refused to rule out a role in a new-look management team at Rangers.

The German legend bought 810,000 shares in the Ibrox club in January and proxied his stake to the Rangers Supporters Trust ahead of the club’s EGM.

And the Bundesliga-winning coach told the Daily Mail, when asked about working at Rangers: “I would not rule it out.

“I don’t know. At the moment I am fine. I follow things at Rangers closely. We have to wait for Friday then we will see what is happening.” (Daily Mail)

FA hopeful of attracting Scots to Olympics

SCOTTISH footballers would not be barred from playing for a ‘Team GB’ at the Rio 2016 Olympics despite the SFA’s opposition.

It is understood that the FA intends to enter men’s and women’s teams for Rio despite saying London 2012 would be a one-off.

But it is believed that Scottish football’s governing body will not stand in the way of any players who want to play for a British team, despite fearing the move could threaten the home nations’ separate status on FIFA and the International FA Board. (The Scotsman)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Nicky Law has said his former boss Stuart McCall would be a ‘brilliant’ Rangers manager

• Callum Paterson has insisted that Hearts would have shown Cowdenbeath a huge lack of respect if they hadn’t scored double figures last weekend

• Spurs legends including Ossie Ardiles, Allan Mullary, Darren Anderton and Pat Jennings led a tribute to the late Dave Mackay before Tottenham’s 3-2 win over Swansea City last night

Rumour Mill: Celtic | Rangers | Dave King