The Rumour Mill: Thursday’s football news and gossip

• Craig Whyte has told Rangers administrators he would rather see the club go into liquidation than sell his shares to Paul Murray’s Blue Knights. (Record)

• If successful in his takeover bid, Brian Kennedy would adopt a prudent strategy which would safeguard Rangers’ future, a source close to the multi-millionaire said. (Record)

• Kennedy fears Rangers’ administrators are taking too long in finding a buyer for the club. (BBC)

• Former Rangers chief executive Martin Bain has abandoned his £900,000 damages claim against the club.

Mr Bain stressed his legal action had been aimed at Craig Whyte and not the club. (Various)

• Craig Whyte has failed to respond to an SFA invitation to attend today’s Judicial Panel hearing at Hampden which will see Rangers and their discredited owner face a total of nine disciplinary charges.

• Rangers fans have stepped up to pay the money owed to Dunfermline Athletic by the administration-hit Ibrox club – but will not do the same for Dundee United. (Various)

• Old Firm referee Calum Murray claims Celtic manager Neil Lennon told him to “get a f***ing grip” in the tunnel at Ibrox on Sunday. Murray and fourth official Ian Brines have filed their reports to the SFA. (Sun)

• Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster wants to wait until the season is over before deciding whether to pledge his future to the club. Neil Lennon is keen to sign the on-loan Newcastle player after his performances this season. (Sun)

• Celtic have been handed a £21,000 by UEFA fine for displaying an offensive banner and setting off fireworks during the Europa League Group I fixture against Udinese in Italy in December. (Various)

• Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston has asked his team’s supporters to give up their seats to Celtic fans, should the visitors be able to clinch the SPL title at Rugby Park. (Mail)

• Hibernian managing director Fife Hyland has called for the game to accept that supporters matter more than television companies, and to rethink the balance between the demands of broadcasters and the interests of supporters. (Scotsman)

• Martin Scott’s season with Hibernian appears to be at an end after the midfielder, who joined from Ross County on a three-and-a-half year deal in January 2011, was put up for loan by manager Pat Fenlon. (Scotsman)

• Hearts yesterday paid another set of overdue wages nearly a fortnight after the money should have been deposited in the players’ accounts. It is the fifth time this season that the Tynecastle club have stretched the patience of staff. (Scotsman)

• Aberdeen manager Craig Brown is optimistic Fraser Fyvie, Isaac Osbourne, Stephen Hughes and Russell Anderson will be fit for the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final with Hibs next month. (Various)

• Meanwhile, Aberdeen goalkeeper Jamie Langfield is set to quit the club this summer in the search for regular football elsewhere. (Mail)

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