The Rumour Mill: Thursday’s football news and gossip

The newspapers are full of conflicting reports on the immediate future of Rangers this morning, after administrators Duff and Phelps tried to reassure supporters yesterday that the club would survive...

• The Record carries the headline ‘Rangers players face firing squad’ and reports that the team were understood to be anxious about their jobs after being summoned by the administrators for talks before a scheduled training session this morning.

• Rangers players were left stunned last night when they were told they would not be paid their next wage, just hours after being told it was guaranteed, The Sun reports.

• However, this morning Duff and Phelps dismissed rumours that players had been asked to play for free and stressed there will be “no immediate cuts in the playing staff.” (Various)

• Contrary to earlier reports, it is understood that Daniel Cousin’s transfer to Rangers fell through because the Ibrox club faxed amendments which the SPL could not process before the administrators took control. The Gabon international is not happy about the situation but is still hopeful of a resolution. (Record)

• Dundee United have made it clear that they will refuse to allow Rangers tickets for their next match at Tannadice on March 17 if they are not paid the £100,000 they were due from last week’s Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox. (Record)

• Sir Alex Ferguson has described this week’s events at his former club Rangers as a “tragedy”. “That was on the cards for a quite a while from since that lad [Whyte] took over,” said the Manchester United boss. “It is a tragedy because it is a great football club. It is one of the best clubs you could ever think about. I don’t know what will happen there.” (Scotsman)

• Carlos Bocanegra has pledged that the Rangers players will set aside concerns over their employment prospects at the financially stricken club in order to help lift the gloom of the supporters. (Scotsman)

• However, Bocanegra has been linked with a move to MLS outfit Vancouver Whitecaps, after Scotland midfielder Barry Robson yesterday agreed a deal with the same club.

• John McFall, the former chairman of the Westminster treasury select committee, has called for the financial regulator to probe Craig Whyte’s takeover of Rangers. (BBC)

• Juanma Ortiz, currently on loan to Spanish club Almeria, says he has no idea whether he will ever return to Rangers. (Sun)

• Former Rangers defender Richard Gough believes the club’s fans are looking for leadership. (Express)

Hearts manager Paulo Sergio has revealed that he feared one of his mistakes might cost his team a place in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup. “I have a confession to make from the first cup tie against St Johnstone at Tynecastle,” he said. “I did not know that the game would go to another match after the 90 minutes, I thought there would be extra time.” (Scotsman)

Scotland will play the United States in Florida at the end of the season, the Scottish Football Association has confirmed. Craig Levein’s side will take on their hosts in Jacksonville on Saturday, 26 May, a week after the Scottish Cup final. Meanwhile, Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon is set to make a surprise return to the Scotland squad for the forthcoming international friendly in Slovenia. (Mail)

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