Rumour Mill: Hearts | Sir Ally McCoist

Romanov: not well enough to return. Picture: Cate Gillon

Hearts administration latest

Foundation of Hearts chairman Ian Murray has revealed his group has secured a “significant capital sum” to allow them to make a formal bid for the Tynecastle club next week.

The supporters-led Foundation is now the clear frontrunner in the race to win control of Hearts after a rival London-based consortium, headed by former SRU chief executive Gordon McKie, admitted they cannot afford to fund a bid on their own.

Murray said: “We now have an offer, which we have accepted, of a significant capital sum,” the Edinburgh South MP told The Scotsman. “We are ready with our bid, and we will submit it to the administrators next Thursday or Friday. (Scotsman)

Danny Wilson: ‘I didn’t want my return to harm Hearts further’

Hearts captain Danny Wilson he sought assurances from Hearts’ administrators that his signing for the club would not result in any further redundancies at the club.

“I had a meeting with the administrators before I signed and one of the main things I spoke about was redundancies at the club,” said Wilson. “It’s terrible people losing their jobs and I did feel bad. Hopefully when the club gets back on its feet, there is a chance for them to get their jobs back.

“I told the administrator that if me coming back in any way harmed the club further, then I didn’t want to do it. We talked about it, I’ve taken the wage cut to stay and I was told it wouldn’t mean anyone else losing their job. I’ve been asked to come back and do a job, which I’m happy to do.” (Scotsman)

Romanov not well enough to leave Russia

Vladimir Romanov has told Lithuanian prosecutors he will be remaining in Russia for at least another month for medical treatment.

Hearts administrator Trevor Birch urged the SFA to try to track down Romanov and charge him for his conduct as club owner. But Romanov is also wanted in his homeland on serious charges where he is accused of embezzling £12.5 million after the collapse of his Ukio Bankas bank in Lithuania.

Now he has told the Lithuanian authorities that he will remain in Moscow for another month at least after reportedly suffering a stroke. Romanov stated: “I continue to receive treatment in Moscow and will not be well enough to return home for some time.” (Scotsman)

Hooper sets sights on Celtic goals as QPR and Norwich ready bids

QPR are reportedly ready to battle Norwich City for the signature of Celtic striker Gary Hooper, with a £4million bid from the London club in the offing.

However Gary Hooper seemed set on remaining at Celtic as he set his sights on another Champions League campaign with Celtic.

Hooper, yesterday told Celtic’s official website: “I want to beat my tally from last season. That’s the aim because I’ve done it every season.

“I also have to get 20 or more league goals because I didn’t get it just there, I only got 19.

“I want to play in the Champions League again, get into the group stages and get that feeling again. I know I wasn’t playing in the game against Barcelona but it was still amazing. We also want to retain the title as obviously the league is still our priority.” (Various)

McFadden weighing up his options

Kenny Black has insisted Motherwell’s bid to get James McFadden back is not dead, despite McFadden still said to be weighing up other options.

Black said: “James will be looking for another club, but we haven’t ruled it out.” (Various)

Sir Ally: McCoist “should be knighted”

Ally McCoist should be knighted according to former teammate and current Brora manager, Davie Kirkwood.

Kirkwood played alongside the Rangers boss at Ibrox under Graeme Souness and returned some years later to take up a youth coaching role with the club.

The two clubs will meet in a pre-season friendly tomorrow. Kirkwood said: “The job he (McCoist) did last year; when you look at the crisis Rangers had, I think he deserves a knighthood, he really does.” (Daily Record)

Penalty expert Williams swotting up for Europa League shootouts

Hibs keeper Ben Williams is said to be studying players from Drogheda and Malmo just in case the Easter Road club’s Europa League qualifier goes to penalties.

Williams saved six out of nine penalties last season and insists his record isn’t just luck.

Williams suggested he may follow Manchester United goalie Ben Foster who saved a 2009 Carling Cup Final penalty after watching an iPod video of his opponent.

Williams said: “It’s all about trying to gain a small advantage.

“Foster looked at footage on an iPod before United’s shootout win over Spurs.

“Would I go that far? It depends, but with a penalty shoot-out there is a lot of information to process.” (The Sun)

Rumour Mill: Hearts | Sir Ally McCoist | Hooper