The Rumour Mill: Tuesday’s football news and gossip

Rangers have case to answer over EBTs and face vote on SPL status

The SPL board yesterday ruled that they would investigate Rangers over the alleged dual contracts paid under the the Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) scheme. The club are also set to hear their fate on July 4th, as the SPL’s twelve member clubs rule on the Ibrox club’s top flight status.

Last night it emerged that, should Rangers be voted back into the SPL, the issue over dual contracts could still see the ‘newco’ Rangers expelled from the top flight.

Furthermore, the club stands to be stripped of the league titles they won between 2000 and 2010.

The club needs an 8-4 majority to win re-entry, but early indications suggest that this is unlikely.

Rangers news in brief

• Former Celtic player Charlie Nicholas is adamant that Rangers should be demoted to the Third Division for their financial wrongdoings, maintaining that the club deserve punishment for living beyond its means.

• Television pundit Andy Walker believes the SFA need to sort out the Rangers situation as soon as possible. Walker echoed Nicholas’ views, saying he felt the club should drop to Division Three as punishment.

• Former Rangers striker Michael Mols believes the Ibrox side don’t deserve to lose their titles as a result of the controversial EBT scheme, from which Mols pocketed over £250,000.

• Mervan Celik looks set to win a move to Germany, with FC Mainz and Schalke in talks with his agent. The Swedish midfielder made just six appearances for the Ibrox side before returning to his homeland with GAIS Gothenburg.

Mikael Lustig reveals operation scare

Celtic’s Swedish defender Mikael Lustig has admitted he may need a hip operation after the Euro 2012 Championships are over. The 25-year-old made just five appearances for Celtic following his move from Rosenborg in January, after suffering injuries to his groin and hip, the latter of which has flared up. Lustig seemed to be struggling in Sweden’s opener with the Ukraine, but played through the pain barrier to make an appearance in the 3-2 loss to England. The defender is a doubt for tonight’s clash with France, and with Celtic facing a Champions League qualifier in six weeks, Lustig faces a fitness race.

• Celtic have missed out on a friendly with Dutch giants Feyenoord - after asking for too expensive a fee. The Eredivisie side were planning to commemorate the 75th anniversary of their De Kuip stadium with a match against Celtic, who they defeated in the European Cup final of 1970, but the Parkhead side wanted a £200,000 fee. The Rotterdam side are now set to face Spaniards Real Mallorca, who only wanted a £20,000 fee.

• Celtic are due to play Ajax in a friendly at the Amsterdam ArenA on July 21st, with a trip to Ireland to face Cliftonville on July 28th.

Return of the winter break as clubs handed mid-season rest

The SPL has confirmed that this season will see the return of a winter break for the first time in over ten years. SPL secretary Iain Blair confirmed that the Scottish top flight will shut down from January 2-19, in a move the Hampden chiefs believe shows they are listening to the demands of fans.

Pernis has heart set on English move

Former Dundee United goalkeeper Dusan Pernis won’t be facing his old side in the opening game of the new season, as the Slovakian looks set to make a switch to England, rather than joining United’s SPL rivals Hibs. The Easter Road side are on the lookout for a new keeper following the departure of Graham Stack, but Pernis turned down a move to Edinburgh.

Paulo Sergio turned down financial windfall in Middle East

Former Hearts manager Paulo Sergio has revealed he knocked back a money-spinning offer from the Middle East when he was still in the Tynecastle hotseat. The Portuguese manager admitted he had refused an offer from a club that was ‘financially superior to the British market.’

Fixture list throws up early mouthwatering clashes

Beaten Scottish Cup finalists Hibs are set to welcome city rivals Hearts to Easter Road in the second game of the new season - but Gary Locke doesn’t believe that Hearts’ 5-1 demolition job at Hampden in May will have any bearing on the fixture. The Tynecastle side face St Johnstone at home in their opening fixture, with Aberdeen travelling to Celtic.

Scottish sides face European nightmare

Celtic face potentially draining trips to the Highlands to take on Ross County and Inverness CT on August 18th and 25 respectively - with the Champions League playoffs set for August 21/22 and August 28/29. If the Parkhead side successfully negotiate the qualifying round, they could face European fixtures sandwiched between long trips north. Motherwell faec similar problems, with the Steelmen’s clash with Ross County being set for August 4th, which is sandwiched between the thrid qualifying round fixtures. Hearts could also be affected, with the Tynecastle side facing Aberdeen at Pittodrie between August 23rd and 30th, the Europa League playoff dates.

Football news in brief

• Raith Rovers manager John McGlynn has had no contact from Hearts over the vacant manager’s position, despite being in the frame as one of the favourites to replace Paulo Sergio.

• Former Kilmarnock and St Mirren striker Craig Dargo could join Queens of the South, despite helping Dumbarton gain promotion. Dargo is looking for a full time club and has turned down an offer from the Sons.

• Highland League outfit Brora Rangers have signed former Inverness CT midfielder Richie Hart.

• Kenny Arthur is attempting to win a deal with Stirling Albion. The one-time Partick Thistle keeper has spent the last five years in England with Grimsby, Accrington and Rochdale.

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