The Rumour Mill: Thursday’s football news and gossip

Rangers takeover latest

• Rangers administrators Duff & Phelps hope to be able to sell the club next week, having announced that they had received four “best and final bids” by the close of business yesterday. (Various)

• Scottish bookmakers McBookie.com has installed the Blue Knights as the 11/8 favourites to become the new owners of Rangers following the final bidding process. They are followed in the betting by the bid from Singapore. (Scotsman)

• Consortia from Germany and the United States have also submitted “best and final offers”. (Various)

• But the surprise German bid for Rangers is expected to fall at the first hurdle. (Record)

• Rangers fans have warned that they will boycott any new regime who plan to liquidate the club. (Record)

• Sources close to the Rangers bidding process are cautiously confident that the club is edging towards exit from administration via a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), and that the dreaded prospect of liquidation is receding. (Scotsman)

• Brian Kennedy did not submit a bid for Rangers by the administrators’ deadline of 5pm last night – but will come in at a later date if he believes the Scottish champions are in danger of being liquidated. (Various)

• Former Rangers chairman Alastair Johnston has called for transparency among all the four groups bidding to take over the club. “They need to be transparent about who the individuals are, who are part of the consortiums,” said Johnston. (BBC)

• Duff & Phelps have set a 16-day target for moving Rangers into new hands. (Herald)

• Duff and Phelps are to present a report to the club’s creditors today and will ask them to vote on a series of proposals. All creditors will have the opportunity to vote on the proposals, with a deadline of noon on 20 April set for votes to be cast. (Various)

• The Scottish Football Association have no power to remove Craig Whyte as a Rangers director, according to a Hampden insider. (Sun)

La Liga side hold talks with Aluko agent

Spanish outfit Rayo Vallecano have held talks with Sone Aluko’s agent in an attempt to land the Rangers attacker on a free transfer in the summer. The Madrid club sent a representative to Glasgow on Tuesday for discussions over the possibility of a switch to La Liga for the Nigeria winger, who only signed a short term contract at Ibrox last November. (Record)

Majstorovic upbeat on future

Daniel Majstorovic will put any contract talks at Celtic on hold until the summer, as he focuses on his recovery from a knee injury. The Swedish international, who turns 35 today, has also revealed he is now targeting an appearance at the Brazil World Cup in 2014. (Various)

Hibs chairman’s rallying call

Hibernian chairman Rod Petrie last night issued a rallying cry to supporters, urging them to back the club and boost their hopes of avoiding relegation. In an open message to supporters on the club’s official website, he said: “Your team needs you – it’s as simple as that.” (Scotsman)

Kello wanted down south

English Premier League clubs Everton and Aston Villa have joined the race to sign Hearts goalkeeper Marian Kello, who intends to continue his career south of the border when his contract expires in June. (Evening News)

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