Rumour Mill: Ally McCoist | Celtic chase Kayode

Rangers manager Ally McCoist is under severe pressure. Picture: SNS

Rangers board can’t afford to sack McCoist

It is understood Rangers will not sack manager Ally McCoist because they cannot afford to pay off his £1.4 million severance package. The manager is under heavy pressure after Wednesday’s shock loss to Alloa Athletic in the semi-final of the Petrofac Training Cup, while the club remain nine points behind Hearts in the Scottish Championship title race.(The Scotsman)

• Wasps’ striker Liam Buchanan has cited an apparent overconfidence as Rangers’ biggest weakness during the shock defeat at Recreation Park. (Daily Record)

• Charlie Telfer was sorry to see his old club Rangers humbled at the hands of Alloa in the Petrofac Training Cup, but insists his Player of the Month award proves he was right to quit Ibrox for Dundee United. (The Scotsman)

• Rangers loanee Calum Gallagher will sit out Saturday’s clash at Ibrox as per the agreement of the player’s deal with loan club Cowdenbeath. (Daily Express)

• Former Rangers players Derek Johnstone and Barry Ferguson have leapt to the defence of McCoist, claiming he deserves more time to turn things around considering the type of off-field distractions he’s had to deal with. (Various)

Celtic interested in Olarenwaju Kayode

Celtic are keeping tabs on Nigerian striker Olarenwaju Kayode after watching the player star for Maccabi Netanya in Israel. The attacker, who scored five goals this season, is also being monitored by Standard Liege, who would like to make the African a strike-partner for former Celtic youngster Tony Watt. (The Herald)

Tonev appeal adjourned | Logan dig

Shay Logan had what many believed to be a thinly veiled dig at Aleksandar Tonev on Twitter last night. The Celtic midfielder had the appeal on his ban for racially abusing Logan adjourned before the Aberdeen defender tweeted this out: “It’s time for bed I really think someone’s regretting what they said #manlikeyounowho #kickitout goodnight geezers xxx.” (Daily Record)

• Tonev’s appeal may not be heard for another two weeks but Celtic insist they will still pick the player while the case is under review. (The Herald)

Charlie Nicholas slams Budge and Hearts fans

Charlie Nicholas has poured fuel on the fire with regard to the Ann Budge-Celtic debate by claiming the chairwoman has been blinded by the love for her club Hearts. The former Celtic star went on to call some Hearts supporters “bigoted and volatile”. (Daily Express)

• Robbie Neilson believes that Tynecastle can maintain its unique atmosphere without descending to the kind of unacceptable behaviour criticised by Ann Budge this week. The Hearts head coach yesterday praised the statement put out by club owner Budge, and said he agreed entirely with her desire to create a family-friendly environment at matches. (The Scotsman)

• Ronny Deila has backed Hearts owner Ann Budge’s call to ensure Scottish football nurtures a family-friendly environment at its stadia. The Celtic manager believes football ceases to be “fun” when you come to a stadium and fear for your safety. (The Scotsman)

• Deila is happy for his players to continue using social media but wants them to be sensible about what they write in the wake of Anthony Stokes being involved in the Ann Budge-Celtic argument. (Evening Times)

Alcohol to possibly return to Scottish football grounds

Scottish football could begin moves to permit the sale of alcohol inside stadiums after the chief executive of the Scottish Football Association admitted that talks with Police Scotland have already taken place. Stewart Regan revealed that a potential change has been on the agenda for a number of months and that discussions with police have already taken place. (The Scotsman)

• Regan also admitted that Scottish football offers poor customer experience as the governing body try to tackle the problems which have led to falling attendances. (The Scotsman)

• In a week where aspects of the game have been heavily criticised, Scottish football has found itself a high profile cheerleader in the form of Celtic boss Ronny Deila. The Norwegian admits that Scotland isn’t up to the standard of some of its neighbouring countries, but for a nation of only five million people it does very well for itself.(The Scotsman)

News in brief

• Alan Stubbs has revealed that someone “very, very famous” tried to talk him out of taking the manager’s job at Hibernian. Stubbs decided against naming the mystery man, whose words were an indication of just how low Hibs’ reputation had sunk within the game. (The Scotsman)

• Paul Hartley insists striker David Clarkson isn’t fazed by the prospect of becoming a record breaker. The Dundee hitman is one strike away from tying Johnny Bell’s 94 year club record of scoring in nine consecutive games. (Daily Record)

• Virgil van Dijk admits it’s nice to score goals after netting three times in the past two games, but the Dutch defender insists his priorities lay at the back. (Daily Record)

• Derek McInnes believes Aberdeen’s players must rediscover their sense of devilment if they are going to effectively torture their opponents. (The Scotsman)

• St Johnstone will raise concerns with the SFA after Lee Croft was given a two match ban for a tackle which went unpunished and wasn’t mentioned during their 2-1 win over Ross County in the Scottish Cup. (The Courier)

• Ross County have been dealt a huge blow with the news defender Ben Frempah will be out for around four months with a broken ankle. (Press and Journal)