Rumour Mill: Celtic squad | Rangers boardroom

CELTIC have won the SPL title, and both manager and players are keen to keep the squad together for next year. Meanwhile Rangers’ troubles continue, the Richie Brittain saga rumbles on, and Motherwell’s boss is linked with a move south. All that and more in Monday’s Rumour Mill.

Neil Lennon is keen to keep his Celtic squad. Picture: SNS

Keep squad together, say Lennon & Ledley

Celtic should do everything they can to keep their SPL-winning side together, according to manager Neil Lennon and midfielder Joe Ledley.

Lennon has called on his squad to stay the course in Glasgow and continue their domination of the SPL.

Lennon said: “I don’t want to lose the core of the team because, for me, they’ve been magnificent.

“I think what they have achieved this year has shown they can compete against the best.”

Ledley, who scored in yesterday’s title-clincher, believes that the young squad can keep up the winning habit if they can stay together.

Ledley said: “There will always be in and outs at every single football club. But, if we can keep the squad pretty compact, we can go forward in the right direction.”

Ledley has been linked with a return to old club Cardiff City. (Various)

Rangers board deadlocked over new CEO

The Rangers board is reportedly split 3-3 over potential new CEO Craig Mather.

The Record report that the board are split into opponents and supporters of former chief Charles Green.

Walter Smith, Malcolm Murray and Philip Cartmell are against Mather’s ascension to the top of the Ibrox hierarchy, while Brian Stockbridge, Ian Hart and Bryan Smart are in favour of Mather.

Mather is sporting director at Rangers, and Green describes him as one of the ‘founder investors’ in the club. It is thought that Mather will be appointed later today, but it had been assumed that his appointment would be rubberstamped at an emergency board meeting on Saturday. (Record)

Richard Brittain: Lomas claims make-believe, says Adams

The row over Ross County captain Richard Brittain’s future has continued, with County manager Derek Adams saying Steve Lomas’ claims that the Highlanders have offered their captain a new deal are “in his head”.

In his column in today’s Press & Journal, Adams said: “I don’t know where Steve is coming from that we have offered him a new contract.

“I don’t know why we would do that if he has signed a pre-contract with St Johnstone.” St Johnstone boss Lomas has accused the Dingwall side of offering Brittain a new deal in recent weeks. Brittain scored twice as the sides drew 2-2 yesterday. (P&J)

Neil Warnock not interested in Rangers job

Former QPR boss Neil Warnock was seen in the stands at Rangers’ game with Peterhead this weekend, but has told fans that he has no interest in Ally McCoist’s job.

Warnock said: “I know Ally well, as we have been on ‘Question of Sport’ together. I was down at his office after the match because we go back a fair bit. There is nothing in it at all.

“I just wanted to go to Ibrox.” (Mail)

Dunfermline in rush for CVA

Bryan Jackson, the man in charge of the finances at Dunfermline Athletic, has said that the club needs to secure a Company Voluntary Agreement over its debts by the end of the season.

Jackson said: “We need to take away the uncertainty because we are going to get to a situation... (with) season tickets, sponsorship, and that’s always very difficult when you have that kind of administration limbo.” (Express)

Motherwell boss McCall a Sheffield target

Stuart McCall is on Sheffield United’s shortlist as the League One side look for a new manager.

The Blades are in the League One play-off places, and are currently helmed by caretaker boss Chris Morgan. McCall recently signed a new deal with the Steelmen. (Record)