Rumour Mill: Rafat Rizvi riddle

Supporter's club The Union of the Fans have called on Graham Wallace to sack Sandy Easdale. Picture: TSPL

Rangers move to distance themselves from Rafat Rizvi

Rangers last night insisted they did not know convicted fraudster Rafat Rizvi was to be part of a Malaysian delegation that visited the club earlier this week. Supporters’ group The Union of Fans have now called for Sandy Easdale to be removed from the board after he was pictured meeting with Rizvi.

Easdale and fraudster Rafat Rizvi joined forces to lunch with businessman Datuk Faizoull Bin Ahmad, who they hope might rescue the club.

It is understood Rizvi is acting as a middle man in the proposed deal, Rizvi was an original backer of Charles Green’s disastrous takeover. And he has business links with Imran Ahmad , the sacked commercial director engaged in a legal battle to have £620,000 taken from the club’s account. The Pakistan born UK national is on Interpol’s wanted list after being found guilty - in his absence - of banking crimes in Indonesia. Rangers have since claimed that the meeting with Bin Ahmad was simply to foster links with a team he owns in his homeland. A club spokesman said: “Mr Rafat Rizvi arrived with the Malaysian delegation without our prior knowledge. He is an advisor to Mr Bin Ahmad.” (Mail)

Roy MacGregor reveals why he chose Jim McIntyre for the Ross County job

Roy MacGregor has revealed why he chose Jim McIntyre over Patrick Kluivert and John Hartson as new Ross County boss. The chairman insists McIntyre showed better credentials as he was paraded in Dingwall. MacGregor accused Dutch legend Kluivert of using County as leverage to try and land a coaching job at Ajax. He said: “I spoke to Patrick Kluivert over the phone but I think he wanted to stay in Holland. He probably wanted the Ajax Under-21 job and was using this as a way of trying to prise that. I’m not really sure he wanted it but he applied. It was a really good chat. We wanted a Scottish manager who was passionate and aggressive on the way up. Jim was the cream that rose to the top.” (Sun)

SFA dismiss fears a Yes vote would damage Scotland’s hopes of hosting Euro 2020

The SFA last night dismissed fears a Yes vote would damage Scotland’s hopes of hosting games at Euro 2020. EUFA has stated that legal aspects of the bid may need to be reassesed if the country becomes independent. A source within the SFA said that UEFA’s remarks as ‘legal jargon’ and insisted the report is not a concern for Hampden’s submission to be successful when a decision is made on September 19th, one day after Scotland votes on whether to leave the UK. (Record)

Mike Ashley set to offload Newcastle in bid to gain greater influence at Ibrox

Mike Ashley is planning to sever his ties with Newcastle so he can increase his stake at Rangers. The Billionaire already has a significant shareholding at Ibrox but the fact he owns Newcastle has stopped him from snapping up more than 10 per cent due to SFA concerns. However it is now understood that the 50-year-old has decided to sell the Magpies to secure greater influence in the Ibrox club. (Record)

Clark Robertson injury adds to Derek McInnes’ woes

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has admitted his defensive options are being stretched to the limit after Clark Robertson’s injury jinx struck again. The Dons are already without captain Russell Anderson for several weeks, while Robertson will be out for a month because of a thigh muscle tear sustained on Scotland under-21 duty.(Express)

News in brief:

• Ronny Deila has revealed he used the international break to reflect on a tough start to his Celtic career and insists he feel’s refreshed and ready to go. (Record)

• Steven Pressley has committed to Coventry with a new deal that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2018. (Record)

• Barry Bannan says this is Scotland’s best chance to qualify for the Euro 2016 finals and is convinced Scotland can make it to France. (Sun)

Rumour Mill: Rafat Rizvi riddle | Jim McIntyre