The Rumour Mill: Friday’s football news and gossip

RANGERS ADMINISTRATION DEVELOPMENTS

• Duff and Phelps yesterday released a reported which gave intrinsic detail into Rangers financial situation.

The club could owe a staggering £134m if the £75m ‘Big Tax Case’ goes against the Ibrox club.

A host of football clubs are also owed money including Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Celtic, Hearts and Dundee United.

The administrators say they believe a CVA could still be possible if creditors are willing to accept an offer of around 15p in the pound.

• Three bidders remain in the running for control of Rangers, it emerged yesterday.

An offer from an unnamed German group was dismissed as insufficient leaving Paul Murray’s Blue Knights, a Singapore consortium and an American bid in the running for control of the Govan club

•Craig Whyte is due to face the SFA today at a judicial hearing into his running of the club after a request by the Rangers owner to have the hearing deferred until July was rejected.

• Duff and Phelps say plans by the Rangers support to protest against any liquidation of the club could put off the parties interested in taking over the stricken club.

The protest is planned when Ally McCoist’s side take on St Mirren at the weekend.

Liquidation would mean the club would have to apply for re-entry into the SPL and be banned from Europe for three years.

Spanish side interested in Aluko

Rayo Vallecano have expressed an interest in Rangers winger Sone Aluko as the financial crisis at the Ibrox club grows.

The former Aberdeen man says he wants to talk over his next move with the club before making a decision on his future.

Kello secures Hearts release

Hearts keeper Marian Kello has secured an early release from his contract at the

Tynecastle club.

The Slovak had been frozen out of the Hearts side since refusing a move to Austria

Vienna in the last transfer window.

His contract was due to expire in the summer.

Ipswich want Murphy deal

On loan Celtic striker Daryl Murphy is wanted by Ipswich on a permanent basis after impressing during his spell with the Championship outfit having scored four goals.

Shiels call for strong referee against Celtic

Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels has called on referee Alan Muir to show strength in his decisions when his side take on Celtic on Saturday - a match which could see the Parkhead side crowned SPL champions.

IN BRIEF

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall has won his appeal against a red card issued when he was sent to the stand against Aberdeen last month

Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes is only one hat-trick away from becoming the first Scot to score six trebles in one season