Rumour Mill: Rangers | Mikael Lustig

Brian Stockbridge has called for Rangers fans to remain calm. Picture: PA

Rangers: ‘Don’t panic’, says Stockbridge

RANGERS’ financial director Brian Stockbridge has called for the club’s fans to remain calm amid ongoing turmoil at Ibrox.

In a statement, Stockbridge said: “Plans have been put in place to ensure the daily operations of Rangers continue as normal.

“Rangers are financially secure and there is no prospect of the club ‘running out of money’”. (Sun)

• SOUTH Africa-based businessman Dave King appears to be drifting away from a spot on the Rangers board.

The Mail report that Stockbridge called King in an attempt to restart his attempt to return to the club, but describe negotiations as “fruitless”. (Mail)

• RANGERS defender Bilel Mohsni reckons the side can go undefeated in League One this season.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s game with Brechin, the French-Tunisian stopper said: “I think we can play the whole season without losing a league game because we have a strong team and a lot of good players for this league.” (Scotsman)

• Ian Black believes his recent form after his betting ban is repaying the faith of manager Ally McCoist.

Black said: “My performances in the last couple of games have kept me in the side. I went out on silly terms but the manager has shown faith in me and I’ve done well.” (Record)

Celtic: Lustig ‘to delay operation’, Brown ban appealed

• MIKAEL Lustig will delay an operation on his injured hip in order to help Neil Lennon’s side through selection trouble.

The Swede injured himself on international duty but with Adam Matthews out until the New Year, and Scott Brown banned for the bulk of the Champions League group stage, Lustig will defer an operation to keep himself available. (Express)

• CELTIC are set to lodge an appeal with UEFA over Scott Brown’s three-match ban for kicking Neymar during the side’s loss to Barcelona.

Captain Brown would miss the crucial double-header against Ajax as well as Celtic’s home game with AC Milan if his ban stands, with the Parkhead legal team arguing that it is an “excessive” punishment. (Scotsman)

Thompson reveals Petrov turmoil

FORMER Celtic assistant manager Alan Thompson revealed that he turned down a role in Stiliyan Petrov’s charity match in order to keep the peace at Parkhead.

Thompson said: “I just didn’t feel it was right for me to attend because it was Stiliyan’s day first and foremost.

“I didn’t want to turn up and there be any animosity between myself and anyone else.” (Sun)

Motherwell to donate to Hearts ownership bid

MOTHERWELL will donate £1 to the Foundation of Hearts for every away fan who attends tomorrow’s game between the sides at Fir Park.

Motherwell came out of administration in 2006, with current Hearts administrator Bryan Jackson instrumental in the move. (Herald)

Scotland ‘most improved side in the world’

SCOTLAND picked up more world ranking points in the latest FIFA tables than any other team on the planet.

Gordon Strachan’s side are up to 35th in the new FIFA World Rankings, their highest position for four years. (Various)

Anya: ‘Scotland are a side to fear’

SCOTLAND star Ikechi Anya believes that the national side are now a force to be reckoned with since Gordon Strachan’s takeover.

Anya said: “Now that we have done the double over Croatia, more teams will be more wary of us and do their homework.

“If you look at our last four results, we got nine points out of 12. That’s leadership form.” (Express)

Kilmarnock boss Johnston ready to show grit

ALLAN Johnston hopes that the resolve he showed during a horror spell as a Sunderland player can help him through tough times as Kilmarnock manager.

Johnston, who is yet to get his first league win with Killie, spent half a season on the bench in his final year in the Northeast, and believes that the toughness gained there can help at Rugby Park.

He added: “I need to work hard to turn things around. We knew it was going to be a tough job but it’s a good club.” (Record)

Dunfermline plastic pitch may return

A PLASTIC pitch could return to East End Park after Pars United announced that they were looking into a possible move.

Dunfermline’s previous plastic pitch was ripped up after two years after negative reviews from players and managers.

Rumour Mill: Rangers | Mikael Lustig | Scott Brown