Rumour Mill: Rangers' EBTs | Liam Bridcutt tackle | Southampton Kieran Tierney interest

Kieran Tierney in action for Scotland. Picture: PA

Former Rangers players could face EBT penalty

Former Rangers players could be forced to pay back millions after George Osborne targeted EBTs in the Budget.

Former stars including Barry Ferguson and Graeme Souness as well as former owner Sir David Murray made millions from the tax-free “loans” and experts say some stars could be bankrupted through the clampdown, due to come into force in 2019. (Record)

Liam Bridcutt: I won the ball in Sviatchenko tackle

Liam Bridcutt has dismissed the furore surrounding his tackle on Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko at Hampden on Tuesday night, writes Stephen Halliday.

Scotland midfielder Bridcutt was booked for a fierce challenge on Sviatchenko which Denmark manager Age Hareide described as “horrific” and potentially career-threatening. (Scotsman)

Southampton considering bid for Kieran Tierney

Southampton are planning a move for Celtic defender Kieran Tierney.

The 18 year-old made his debut for Scotland and could be bought as a back up for Ryan Bertrand. (Sun)

Ryan Gauld seeks loan if left out of Sporting Lisbon first team

Ryan Gauld has expressed concern that his development is being hindered by a lack of first-team action at Sporting Lisbon.

The 20-year-old Scot, who moved to Portugal from Dundee United in a £3 million move in summer 2014, has been restricted to playing for Sporting’s B team since the last of his five first-team appearances 13 months ago. (Scotsman)

Scott Brown slams Hampden pitch as ‘laughing stock’

Scott Brown has claimed that Hampden Park is a “laughing stock” in the eyes of world football due to the state of the national stadium pitch.

With an Old Firm Scottish Cup semi-final due to be played at Hampden next month, the Scotland captain embarrassed the Scottish Football Association by slamming a pitch which was re-lain as recently as last month, ahead of the League Cup final. (Scotsman)

Winning Championship would be career high - Tavernier

James Tavernier has told Rangers’ official website that winning the Scottish Championship title and securing promotion to the top flight would be the greatest achievement of his career so far.

The 24-year-old has previously won promotion on two occasions - with Rotherham through the League One play-offs in 2014 and with Bristol City in the same division last year - but explained that helping the Gers get over the line this time around would trump both of those previous triumphs. (Rangers FC)

Scotland team too small - Strachan

Scotland boss Gordon Strachan conceded Denmark were the better side this week and pinpointed the greatest difficulty facing Scotland in their bid to end a 20-year exile  from international football’s top table is the lack of height in his team.

He said: “We had the second smallest team, in terms of height, in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, other than Spain.”

Scotland can overcome England - Ritchie

Matt Ritchie is confident Scotland can overcome England when the World Cup qualifiers begin after helping prove everyone wrong with Bournemouth.

Bournemouth were near certs to be relegated in their first season in the Premier League. However, helped by three goals from Ritchie, they are sitting in a comfortable 13th position. (Scotsman)

Gary Mackay-Steven set to face Hearts

Celtic attacker Gary Mackay-Steven says he is optimistic he will be fit to face Hearts this weekend.

He missed the previous game against Kilmarnock with his ongoing ankle injury, but feels the recent international break has given him a hand to focus on his recovery. (Celtic FC)

Arnaud Djoum sure Hearts can join title race next season

Arnaud Djoum laments the fact Hearts head to Celtic Park this Saturday 13 points behind the league leaders, but is adamant that his side will add more consistency to their game next season and be genuine challengers for the Premiership title. (Evening News)

Rangers fans unite under one group

Rangers fans have voted overwhelmingly to unite in a single body of supporter interest.

More than 90 per cent of season ticket holders, Rangers Supporters Trust and Rangers First members have given their backing to Club 1872.

It will be an independent, arms length group with an ambition to attract at least 20,000 members in the first instance, raising more than £5 million a year to spend on shares and other club projects. (Daily Record)

Martyn Waghorn targeting Celtic return

Martyn Waghorn insists he hasn’t given up hope of facing Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final as he prepares to step up his rehabilitation.

The Rangers striker is continuing to recover from a knee injury sustained against Kilmarnock last month and could resume running next week. (Mail)

Hearts’ recovery ‘can inspire other fan ownership bids’

Hearts have been held up as a success story that others could learn from as clubs seek to navigate the financial challenges of Scottish football.

Bryan Jackson, one of the administrators who was called in to sort through the mess left by the Vladimir Romanov regime, said that the way the fans rallied round was the club’s saving grace. (Scotsman)

Hibs sign keeper Conrad Logan

Hibs have signed former Leicester City goalkeeper Conrad Logan on a deal until the end of the season to ease their personnel worries over the upcoming Scottish Cup semi-final against Dundee United. (Various)

Motherwell target top six finish

Motherwell captain Keith Lasley is hoping to be twisting and shouting on the Fir Park pitch for all the right reasons this year as the Steelmen target a top-six finish.

If his side can get positive results in their next two matches to secure a top-half place, they may even be able to launch a late charge for European qualification. (Evening Times)

St Mirren moves closer to fan ownership

St Mirren took a major step closer to becoming a fan-owned club last night after proposals to buy out the ruling consortium were given the green light at a meeting in Paisley. Members of the St Mirren Independent Supporters Association (SMiSA) overwhelmingly backed plans to make an offer for the 68% shareholding held by chairman Stewart Gilmour and four other directors. (Herald)

IN BRIEF

Fleetwood Town are considering a move for Dunfermline Athletic striker Faissal El Bakhtaoui

Watford have signed 21-year-old London-born striker Ola Adeyemo, who was released by Dundee United