Rumour Mill: Hearts UBIG | Rangers | Celtic | Jon Daly | Neil Doncaster

Reports that Vladimir Romanov has quit as chairman of UBIG - the company that owns Hearts - has plunged Tynecastle into more turmoil as Rangers make a move for Dundee United’s Jon Daly. Rangers have also confirmed a deal with Sports Direct over their stadium naming rights.

Vladimir Romanov quits UBIG to plunge Hearts future in more doubt

Hearts have been plunged into fresh turmoil as reports suggest that Vladimir Romanov has stepped down as director of UBIG, the company who own the club. It has also been suggested that Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas and Rita Matuziene have all resigned from the company’s board. UBIG, a Lithuanian investment group, currently owns a 83 per cent stake in the club. (Daily Express)

Rangers looking to swoop for Jon Daly

Jon Daly is a target for Rangers as the Ibrox club look to tie up a pre-contract agreement with the Dundee United striker. Daly has refused to extend his deal at Tannadice, which runs until the end of the season. United chairman Stephen Thompson has confirmed Rangers’ intention to open talks with Daly. The Sun also reports that Rangers are interested in Motherwell winger Nicky Law. (The Sun, Express)

Rangers reach stadium naming deal with Sports Direct

Rangers have reached a deal with Sports Direct, the company owned by Mike Ashley, over the naming rights to Ibrox stadium. Rangers expect to have the naming rights in place before the start of next season.

Green said: “We have now decided that Sports Direct will be the partner [for stadium naming]. We had representatives from Sports Direct up for a fans’ forum a couple of weeks ago. We also had Derek Llambias of Newcastle United sharing his experience of how that helped his club.

Green added that he expected fans to be more relaxed on the issue, praising their “good engagement” on the issue. (STV)

Fury at Neil Doncaster’s £28k payrise

Fans expressed anger at the news that Neil Doncaster received a £28,000 payrise last year, which saw the SPL chief’s annual wage hit the £200,000 barrier, according to the Daily Record. The payrise comes as company accounts revealed a drop in income by six per cent, from £22.7 million to £21.4 million. Total payments to SPL clubs also decreased by nine per cent. Rangers Supporters Assembly chief Andy Kerr and Steve Kilgour, general secretary of the Hearts Supporters Club, were among those who condemned the hike. (Daily Record)

Juve’s Arturo Vidal: ‘Celtic were beaten by a far better team’

Juventus’ Arturo Vidal has told Celtic players to stop moaning ahead of tomorrow’s decisive Champions League tie in Turin. Celtic were unhappy with Juventus’ hands-on defensive tactics in the first leg at Parkhead, which they lost 3-1, but the Chilean international said he was disappointed to hear comments made after the game.

“I did not like their comments after the game in Glasgow. They were beaten by a far better team on the night and to blame decisions going against them was not good. The referee was there to do his job and he did not see anything wrong.”

He added: “We do not want to hear any complaints from the Celtic players and manager after the game in Turin. I hope that whatever the result we can all shake hands at the end and that the game ends without any comments.” (Record)

Charles Green threatens to walk away if sectarian songs continue

Rangers chief executive Charles Green has threatened to walk away from Rangers if fans continue to sing sectarian songs, warning that a ban from Uefa for supporters’ behaviour would effectively signal his exit from the club.

“I made a pledge to the Rangers fans recently that I wouldn’t leave until we’re playing the Champions League music. If we carry on playing this other type of music, well get banned for life by Uefa, so I can leave on Friday. That’s not what we want.”

He added: “Sectarian singing, or any form of race or religious discrimination, is not acceptable in any way, shape or form, not in the workplace, not in a football stadium.” (Express)