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

In today’s Rumour Mill: Rangers ‘could be stripped of titles’ over tax case; Celtic seek defensive cover; Hibs midfielder to join Blackpool; plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

Document details possible Rangers penalties

A document drafted after talks between the SFA, SPL, SFL and representatives of Charles Green’s Sevco reportedly included a plan to strip Rangers of five SPL titles and four Scottish Cups. The secret penalties, designed to punish the Employee Benefit Trust tax dodge in the event the club were placed in the First Division, would also have involved the one-year transfer embargo and an order to pay Rangers’ old football debts to clubs in Scotland and Europe. The SPL will meet on August 10 to discuss EBTs and “dual contracts”. (Record)

• Maurice Edu is poised for a £300,000 move to Valencia as Rangers cash in on their last remaining assets. The American international is weighing up his options but a move to La Liga is understood to be his preferred option. (Express)

• Rangers manager Ally McCoist could face disciplinary action over his comments regarding the panel that handed Rangers a 12-month transfer embargo. (Scotsman)

• Charles Green has revealed he has spent the past three months moving from safe house to safe house amid fans’ protests, but has now finally moved into his own flat. (Sun)

• Sky and two rival broadcasters have contacted Peterhead over rights to broadcast their home match against Rangers on August 11. (Record)

• Former Celtic captain Tom Boyd has blamed any damage to the reputation of Scottish football solely on Rangers following their recent financial woes and subsequent drop to the Third Division. (Scotsman)

• SFA chief executive Stewart Regan has quit Twitter after being bombarded with abuse from disgruntled football supporters. (Scotsman)

• John Brown has claimed he has the support of former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson in his bid to help supporters gain control of the club. (Express)

Lennon targets centre-half

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has identified central defence as a key area which needs strengthening after watching his side beat VFR Aalen in Germany last night. He said: “We are still short of a centre-half. You can see that. If we get an injury to Rogne, Wilson or Mulgrew, we only have three recognised central defenders at the minute and obviously it is another priority to try to bring one in quickly.” (Express)

• Left-back Aidan White, who has been tracked by Celtic, will hold talks over his future at Leeds United this week. (Record)

• Celtic target Sebastian Boesnich has revealed he has also had interest from clubs in Russia and Ukraine. (Record)

Osbourne set for Hibs exit

Isaiah Osbourne is poised to leave Hibernian for Blackpool this week, with negotiations at an advanced stage. The 24-year-old has not joined up with the travelling Hibs party that arrived in the Netherlands yesterday for their pre-season training camp and the midfielder’s transfer is expected to be confirmed in the coming days. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Former Hibs coach Gareth Evans has been reunited with John Collins and John Hughes at Livingston after being named as first-team coach. (Mail)

• Scotland defender Alan Hutton’s future at Aston Villa is in doubt after he was dropped from their pre-season trip to America. (Various)

• Former Dundee United defender Mihael Kovacevic could be set to join Ross County after impressing in their 0-0 draw against Nairn County. (Sun)

• Spanish defender Ruben Garcia Rey has signed for Cowdenbeath after impressing on trial. (Express)