The Rumour Mill: Friday’s football news and gossip

Scots’ expectations too high - Wotte

• The Scottish Football Association performance director Mark Wotte has told Scotland fans that no manager could instantly turn the national team into World Cup standard as he warned the work he is doing at youth level will take “four to six years” to come to fruition. (Various)

• Wotte also blamed the lifestyle of Scottish youngsters for the lack of quality in the game: “There are many reasons for the decline of Scottish football. One of them is lifestyle issues. The kids should not be growing up with crisps, McDonalds and Coca-Cola. And when they are 16 they are going on the Buckfast and having a great night.” (Sun)

• Wotte claimed even Jose Mourinho and Johan Cruyff couldn’t have masterminded a win over Belgium. (Express)

• Celtic boss Neil Lennon has expressed sympathy for embattled Scotland manager Craig Levein, pointing out that Scotland “never got the breaks” in their 2-1 defeat to Wales last week, and said some of the criticism levelled at the national manager is unjustified. (Scotsman)

• Sacking Levein would do nothing to address the serious problems facing Scottish football, Henry McLeish has argued. The former First Minister, author of an SFA-commissioned report on the state of the game, believes that the Scotland manager cannot be blamed for the deficiencies of the current national squad. (Scotsman)

£17m pledged for Rangers - Green

Charles Green claims £17million has already been pledged in Rangers’ share issue. The Ibrox chief executive said any fans who back up their promise are guaranteed shares. Green said: “In the last figures I saw a couple of days ago over 8000 fans had registered, with some 20,000 fans on the website, and we have pledges of around £17million.” (Express)

Hearts to pay staff today

Six Hearts players and manager John McGlynn who had their October salary payments delayed are expected to be paid by the end of today. The club had a transfer embargo imposed on them by the Scottish Premier League after payments were delayed last month. (Various)

Celtic boss plays down Hooper rumours

Neil Lennon has denied contract talks with Gary Hooper have broken down and is unimpressed with reports claiming his top goalscorer could be on his way to Liverpool. “It is speculation,” said Lennon. “It wouldn’t surprise me if there are a number of clubs in for Gary because of the way he is but I would poo-poo that (Liverpool link). (Various)

Fenlon feels guilty over Deegan attack

Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon has admitted to feeling guilty because of the injury suffered by Gary Deegan, having persuaded his fellow-Irishman to move to Easter Road. The midfielder, who joined Hibs in the summer from Coventry, had his jaw broken in an alleged assault in the centre of the capital earlier this month and will be out of action for several weeks. Fenlon said: “I feel sorry for Gary and I feel a bit guilty and responsible myself, as I brought him here to play at this club and I convinced him to sign for Hibernian and to come here and play in this city.” (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• East Fife boss Gordon Durie will not return to the dugout this weekend after being advised to rest for another fortnight. (Express)

• Alloa Athletic have signed Nicky Low on loan from Aberdeen. (Express)