Rumour Mill: Stuart McCall to Dundee United? | Ian Black ‘smear campaign’

McCall is among the favourites to take over at Tannadice. Picture: John Devlin

McCall in frame for United job

FORMER Rangers and Motherwell boss Stuart McCall is in the frame for the Dundee United job, according to reports.

A number of candidates, including ex-Tannadice striker Mixu Paatelainen, Raith boss Ray McKinnon and St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright, have been linked with the vacant post following Jackie McNamara’s exit.

McCall has been out of management since leaving Ibrox following Rangers’ failed promotion bid last season (Scottish Sun)

‘Swift’ appointment to replace Jackie McNamara

DUNDEE United will hold interviews within the next 48 hours in their search for a new manager following the sacking of Jackie McNamara.

The Tannadice club are understood to be keen to make a swift appointment following the abrupt departure of McNamara on Saturday evening.

Tannadice chairman Stephen Thompson spent yesterday in meetings with McNamara to thrash out a severance package for the now-departed boss.

He will now turn his full attention to appointing McNamara’s successor this week to ensure United have a new man in the dugout for this weekend’s crunch trip to Firhill to face bottom club Partick Thistle. (The Scotsman)

Stephen Craigan shows Motherwell boss credentials

Interim Motherwell boss Stephen Craigan has yet to decide whether he wants the role on a full-time basis despite leading the Steelmen to victory in his first match.

The hosts defeated visitors Partick Thistle 2-1 and their performance was much improved on recent weeks.

Craigan currently juggles two roles, coaching the club’s under-20s squad and working as a match-day analyst for BT Sport, and he admits it would be a big decision to give up both to become Motherwell’s new manager.(The Scotsman)

Lustig urges Celtic boss to sign Carlton Cole

Celtic defender Mikael Lustig hopes boss Ronny Deila can add striker Carlton Cole to the squad after the former West Ham hitman impressed on trial.

Cole has been a free agent since leaving the London club at the tail end of last season and talks have been ongoing between the player and Parkhead officials as they try to thrash out a deal.

Lustig believes signing Cole can only strengthen Celtic’s squad, saying he brings ‘something we don’t have right now’. (Herald Scotland)

Ian Black victim of ‘smear campaign’

Former Rangers midfielder says he has been the victim of untruthful rumours spread by someone inside Ibrox following his departure from the club this summer.

Black took a while to find a new side after being released in early June, only signing with English League One side Shrewsbury Town earlier this month.

Black believes, once he left Ibrox, someone within the club started bad-mouthing him around Scottish football circles.

He told the Scottish Sun: “I know someone was trying to stab me in the back while I was trying to find a new club. I still don’t know who it was because whoever did it wasn’t man enough to tell me to my face. But it must have been someone at Rangers — it can’t have been anyone else.” (The Scottish Sun)