The Rumour Mill: Thursday’s football transfer news and gossip

Rangers newco latest

• Stoke have been had their bid to gain an international transfer certificate for former Rangers player Jamie Ness knocked back by the SFA. Now FIFA are set to intervene in the legal dispute between the players who have walked away

• SFA chief executive Stewart Regan has warned that football faces a “slow lingering death” in this country if newco Rangers are denied entry to the First Division following the emphatic rejection yesterday of their application to retain top-flight football at Ibrox. (Scotsman)

• PFA Scotland has accused newco Rangers chief executive Charles Green of “deliberately misrepresenting” the contract situation of departing players in his letter to English clubs. (Scotsman)

• Former Hearts midfielder Ian Black has reached an agreement to join Rangers – as long as the newco are not condemned to the Third Division. (Various)

• John Fleck has taken a wage cut to join Coventry and ensured newco Rangers would stand to benefit from a 20 per cent sell-on clause. (Sun)

• Dundee chief executive Scott Gardiner has confirmed that the Dens Park club will not be allowed to vote on newco Rangers’ SFL future next Thursday due to a “clear conflict of interest”. (Various)

• The Rangers Supporters’ Trust last night accused other SPL clubs of acting out of “malice” by refusing the application from the newco club to play in the top-flight next season. (Various)

• Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston has been criticised by fans following the club’s decision to abstain on the vote on Rangers’ newco application to join the SPL. (Various)

Celtic secure Forster on permanent deal

Celtic have confirmed goalkeeper Fraser Forster has signed a four-year contract, although the player himself had already done so earlier in the week. Manager Neil Lennon told the club’s official website: “We are delighted that Fraser has committed his future to the club and we believe he will be a magnificent addition to the squad. He gives us that continuity so this is something we are really pleased about. He is a top-class keeper.” (Various)

Aberdeen confirm McGinn signing

Aberdeen have completed the signing of Northern Ireland international winger Niall McGinn from Celtic. McGinn, 24, spent last season on loan at npower League One side Brentford and has now signed a two-year deal with the Dons. (Various)

IN BRIEF

• Scotland are down eight places to No 49 in the latest Fifa rankings, while Brazil slumped to an all-time low of 11th, and England climbed to No 4 despite their Euro 2012 disappointment. (Various)

• Motherwell boss Stuart McCall has confirmed that experienced midfielder Keith Lasley will captain the team next season. (Express)

• Mark Brown has returned to pre-season training with Hibs, despite the fact that he has yet to agree a new contract with the club. (Herald)

• Dundee have re-signed their player of the year from last season, Gary Irvine. (Record)

• Berwick have snapped up former Hearts midfielder Neil Janczyk and re-signed winger Fraser McLaren. (Record)