The Rumour Mill: Friday’s football news and gossip

Rangers takeover

• Prospective new Rangers owner, Brian Kennedy told Sportsmail he has reached agreement with the discredited owner Craig Whyte to transfer the shares for £1.(Mail)

• Brian Kennedy and Paul Murray will now go head-to-head with a mystery UK-based consortium for the right to enter negotiations with creditors over a voluntary agreement for ownership of the Ibrox club (Various)

• But the clock could be ticking on any deal to secure Rangers as the Blue Knights plan to save the club could run out today. Kennedy, Murray and their group of wealthy Rangers supporters believe they have to get to work immediately if they are to successfully deliver a CVA – and avoid any need to start the 140-year-old club up again as a newco. The Blue Knights could walk away if no deal is secured by then, leaving Rangers to look elsewhere for a new saviour. (Record)

• Top-flight clubs would vote whether to allow a ‘newco’ Rangers back into the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. Of the prospective SPL vote, Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has vowed to act “in the best interests of Celtic Football Club”. (Scotsman)

• Terry Butcher says it will be a disaster if Rangers are lost from the SPL – and his budget at Inverness will be destroyed. The Caley Thistle boss believes his finances will be slashed if the Ibrox giants disappear from the top flight, with TV companies and sponsors pulling the plug. (Daily Record)

Jefferies looks at one last challenge

Dunfermline manager Jim Jefferies is ready to consider retirement if he leads the newly relegated club back to the SPL at the first attempt. Jefferies insisited restoring his club to the top flight is the final challenge in a 24-year career (Scotsman)

Swans to swoop for Mackay-Steven

Dundee United’s Gary Mackay-Steven is the target of £1m bid to be tabled by Swansea City.

But United, who signed Mackay-Steven up on a new three-year deal in January, will demand at least double for the 21-year-old (Sun)

Brozek ends frustrating spell at Celtic

Pawel Brozek has hit out at Neil Lennon after being released from his loan deal at Celtic. The Polish international saw little playing time and grew frustrated with warming the bench at Parkhead. (Various)

IN BRIEF

• Celtic will look to land Republic of Ireland hitman Leon Best from Newcastle with a £2m bid, but could face opposition from Aston Villa. (Express)

• Hearts manager Paulo Sergio’s future at Tynecastle will not be decided until next month, club director Sergejus Fedotovas has confirmed. Contract talks began several weeks ago, Sergio has always stated he wants to stay on. (Scotsman)

• Motherwell midfielder Ross Forbes has revealed he will leave the club this summer (Scotsman)