The Rumour Mill: Monday's football news and transfer gossip

A month after taking over at Ibrox, Craig Whyte has hit out at the club's previous board, saying they ran Ibrox "disgracefully". He criticised Alistair Johnston and Paul Murray – who voiced scepticism about Whyte's intentions and were later sacked from the board – saying "it's a pity some of these guys didn't go gracefully instead of going disgracefully".

• Read the full interview from Scotland on Sunday here.

• Martin Bain launches legal action against Rangers

Whyte also rubbished rumours over his financial intentions at the club, saying he bought Rangers with his own money. He also rubbished suggestions he would strip the clubs assets. (The Herald)

One of Whyte's new appointments, former SFA chief Gordon Smith, believes the flak he encountered when in charge of Scottish football was down to his past at Ibrox. (The Express)

Meanwhile, Rangers have lost out in their bid to sign Israeli internationalist Tomer Hemed.(Various)

And Whyte has said that the club will not pay over the odds for players, claiming he wasn't bothered about missing out on Hemed.

The Rangers owner wants to see more home grown talent emerge from Murray Park. (Daily Express)

But Gordon Smith will be expected to find new targets when he starts his new job as director of football this week. (The Times)

His first task could be to deal with transfer bids for Madjid Bougherra and Alan McGregor, with a Swiss club looking to swoop for the defender and Alex McLeish interested in the Scotland goalkeeper. (Daily Record)

Neil Lennon will get back to work this morning, and will put pen to paper on a new contract in the next 72 hours.

Lennon's new deal, a 12 month rolling contract, was rubber-stamped last night. (The Sun)

His new salary, believed to be double his previous wage, was agreed in principle a fortnight ago but has been sat on by Lennon and the club since. (The Times)

A deal for Biram Kayal will be high on the Celtic manager's list of priorities. Former Celt Eyal Berkovic has urged Kayal to stay at Parkhead (Daily Mail)

If Celtic are unable the Israeli's meet his wage demands, potential replacements include Kenyan Victor Wanyama and Omer Damari from Maccabi Petah Tivka. (The Herald)

Darren O'Dea is one of the players who want to meet with the Celtic boss to discuss his future. (Daily Express)

In brief

Dundee United will find out their potential opponents in the Europa League later today when the draw for the second-round takes place. But with some first-round ties yet to be decided, they could have to wait for the outcome of another match before their fixture is confirmed.

• Dundee United draw Slask Wroclaw in Europa League

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has been given money to launch bids for Craig Conway and Danny Wilson, both Rangers targets. (Daily Express)

Alex McLeish is targeting Charlie Adam as one of his first signing's as Aston Villa boss. (The Sun)

Football chiefs could introduce exclusion zones around dugouts after attack on Lennon at Tynecastle at the end of last season. The SPL board will meet today to discuss the move. (Daily Express)

The SFA are standing firm in their opposition to the possibility of a British football team at the 2012 Olympics. (Various)

• SFA: No Team GB Olympic football deal

Colin Calderwood anticipates competition for the goalkeepers jersey at Easter Road next season, with both Mark Brown and Graham Stack in contention. (Scotsman)

The Hibs gaffer is wanted by Steve McLaren as his assistant at Nottingham Forest, but is solely focussed on the Edinburgh side. (Daily Record)

Fulham are interested in signing Aberdeen teenager Fraser Fyvie for 500,000. (The Scotsman)

Dunfermline are set to unveil defender John Potter as their latest signing today. (The Scotsman)

Prince Bauben will sign for Birmingham after leaving Dundee United under freedom of contract (The Scotsman)

Kilmarnock are ready to pounce for Real Madrid youngster Jamie Navarro, who is out of contract. (Daily Mail)