Rumour Mill: Dave King’s plan | ‘Bring on Inter’

Celtic Manager Ronny Deila can't wait to take on Inter. Picture: TSPL

Dave King’s outlines priority if he is successful in Rangers bid

Dave King has identified his first priority if he is successful in his bid to oust the Rangers Board. King will be on the look out right away for a new manager should he gain control at the March 4 EGM in London. The tycoon has also vowed to welcome back club legends like John Greig, Walter Smith and Graeme Sounness back to Ibrox. He said: “We have to make some fairly significant changes to the footballing side, but before that it is absolutely critical that we get the right manager.” (Sunday Post)

•Dave King’s Rangers plan will borrow from Celtic

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Derek Llambias and Sandy Easdale told to stay away from match

RANGERS chief executive Derek Llambias and board chairman Sandy Easdale have been told to stay away from today’s cup tie at Ibrox for their own safety.

Senior Rangers sources say the pair were advised not to attend the match against Raith Rovers by club security chiefs.

The club refused to make any official comment on any threats against the men and police have insisted they are “unaware” of concerns relating to security. Both men have been accused of undermining caretaker manager Kenny McDowall over the arrival of five loan signings from Newcastle United. (Daily Record)

‘Bring on Inter Milan’ says Ronny Deila

Ronny Deila watched his Celtic side confirm their treble-winning credentials with an impressive 2-0 William Hill Scottish Cup fifth-round victory over Dundee then turned his sights on Inter Milan.

“I’m really looking forward to those matches against Inter now,” said Deila.

“I’m much more confident now in that we’re together and know how we want to play the game.

“We’ll have a big test against them but it’s something I’m excited about.

“The team who is developing the most will win the tie. And my teams develop all the time, we never stop.

“We just go on and on and we’re working hard every day to get the small things right. We’ll see how far we’ve come when we face Inter. (STV.com)

•Ronny Deila on Celtic’s positive January window

Indian tycoon’s Rangers bid labelled a ‘joke’

The bid to invest in Rangers by Indian tycoon Lalit Modi has been branded a ‘joke’. A source close to the Three Bears consortium insisted: “This is a joke. Does anyone seriously believe, after all the effort that has been put in to requisition an extraordinary general meeting designed to oust the current board that they would sell their share to someone like Modi?” (Express)

Derek McInnes insists Aberdeen can go all the way

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes being able to focus solely on the Scottish Premiership title race could benefit his team.

The Dons thrashed Ross County 4-0 to move level on points with leaders Celtic, albeit having played two games more than the Hoops, who were involved in Scottish Cup action.

In contrast, Aberdeen have been knocked out of both the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup to allow them to concentrate on trying to secure their first Scottish crown since 1985.

“Time will tell if it actually helps (only having the league to play for),” said McInnes.

“We would rather be in the cups but we have got 14 games left so it now becomes a 14-game season for us, and it is important we try and maximise that as much as we can.

“I think the squad is strong and is the strongest it has been all season. We made a couple of changes today and both substitutes came on and scored in Peter and David.

“We have also got Barry Robson and Willo Flood sitting on the bench ready to come on and play their part when required.” (SkySports)

Maurice Malpas back in the game after Hibs ordeal

Maurice Malpas says he’s glad to back in the game. After meeting Grant Murray, the Raith manager, and talking through their prospective relationship, Malpas satisfied himself that it was an opportunity to be seized, a chance to feed once again the compulsion that, for most football coaches, borders on the perverse.

“We’re all perverts,” says Malpas. “If you’re in the game a long time, you become a football pervert. We go to games umpteen times a week, train every day, then we go home to watch it on television. On Sunday, your so-called family day, you can watch it from 12 in the morning till 10 at night. No sensible person would clock up that many hours at a football club then go home and do the same. (Scotsman.com)

News in brief:

• Queen of the South are ‘ecstatic’ after delivering a Scottish Cup stunner by beating holders St Johnstone 2-0. (Express)

• Shane Ferguson says he doesn’t expect to be a certainty in the Rangers team despite the recent stories of a secret deal ensuring that the loan stars will play. (Mail)

• Celtic shrugged off a 2am fire alarm at their Dundee hotel to then overcome Dundee in the Scottish Cup. (Express)

• Kenny McDowall believes that Kris Boyd hasn’t lost his scoring touch and will soon be back amongst the goals. (Mail)