The Herald

Advanced Talks, but No Sign of Ibrox Deal

RFC, a consortium led by Andrew Ellis, the former Northampton Town chairman, have announced to the Stock Exchange that they are in "advanced negotiations" to buy a controlling interest in Rangers. The statement said, though, that no price has been agreed and that the announcement "does not amount to a firm intention to make an offer and there is no certainty that any offer will be forthcoming or as to the terms of such an offer".

Lennon Ready for Year of His Life As He Commits to 12-Month Deal

NEIL Lennon last night admitted he could understand why Celtic had offered him only a one-year contract to finally take over as manager. The 38-year-old will have only 12 months to prove himself in the job - which essentially amounts to one crack at winning the Clydesdale Bank Premier League - before his deal ends next summer. But Lennon's determination to land the Celtic position, and his belief in his own ability to make a success of it, meant he was prepared to commit to just a single-year...

Innes Released by St Mirren

DANNY LENNON, the new St Mirren manager, has made his first move in rebuilding the team by releasing former Gretna and Dundee United defender Chris Innes. "That's been the first big decision here," said the Northern Irishman yesterday. "I am evaluating the players and staff and should have a clearer picture by Friday. However, the only one big decision is that I have spoke to Chris and won't be pursuing new contract talks.

One Year to Prove Himself

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Spl Pair Are in Jones' Sights

DAVE JONES, the Cardiff City manager, has targeted Hamilton midfielder James McArthur and out-of-contract Celtic defender Lee Naylor. Reports in Wales indicate Jones, who has signed Scots Gavin Rae, Ross McCormack, Chris Burke and Paul Quinn in the past, has joined Rangers, Wigan, Swansea City, Leeds United and West Brom in chasing the pound(s)1 million-rated player.

Calm Before the Storm

THE noise and the pandemonium will come soon enough. For now, Neil Lennon could savour the moment when he walked out at Parkhead and heard nothing beyond the sound of his heart thudding in his chest. As much of Glasgow slept, shortly before 1am on Tuesday, he emerged from lengthy negotiations, walked down the tunnel for the umpteenth time and witnessed a spectacle he had never seen before: the stadium, his stadium, silent and still, bathed in moonlight. Minutes earlier he had signed the deal ...

Reid Sidesteps 'Consultant' Issue, and Insists Lennon Was Always Frontrunner

John Reid was every inch the politician yesterday morning as he straight-batted his way through Neil Lennon's unveiling as permanent Celtic manager. However, while the Parkhead chairman sideswerved probes on who will be the senior figure who is to be available to Lennon on a consultancy basis, he insisted that the delay in securing the former Celtic captain on a permanent deal had nothing to do with the fact that Tony Mowbray remains on the payroll.

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Music-Making Falls On Deaf Ears

TO foreign coaches and players they could be a curse, but to South Africans they might yet be the secret weapon that helps them overcome one of the lowest ratings ever for a World Cup host nation. The plastic vuvuzela trumpet has been controversial since the Confederations Cup last year, when several players complained they could not communicate through the din, which sounds like a herd of charging elephants.

Middle East-Based Rangers Fans Welcome Arab Investment

THE possibility of Arab money underpinning a potential takeover of Rangers has been welcomed by supporters of the Ibrox club based in the Middle East, writes Matthew Lindsay. Norrie MacDonald, chairman of the Dubai Loyal Desert Bears, says it is "entirely feasible" that approaches have been made to people in the area.

'Advanced Negotiations' but Deal Appears No Closer

that it is in advanced negotiations with Sir David Murray to acquire a controlling interest in Rangers Football Club plc, however no price has been agreed and no timing has been established for the conclusion of the talks. "If a deal is concluded between Sir David Murray and RFC, the company would be required under Rule 9 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers immediately to make an offer for the remaining issued share capital of Rangers."

Hateley Agrees New Three-Year Deal to Remain at Motherwell

Tom Hateley, the Motherwell midfielder, has signed a new three- year contract at Fir Park. Hateley, signed after a successful trial last summer, had an outstanding first season at Fir Park and was named Young Player of the Year by both the club and the supporters.

Driver and Levein Happy Men As Eligibility Rule Is Changed

ANDREW DRIVER says he is "thrilled" to now be eligible to play for Scotland following a rule change by FIFA. Craig Levein, the Scotland manager, had been thwarted in his attempts to recruit the Oldham-born Hearts winger - who is a former England Under-21 international - when it emerged that Driver fell just foul of a new rule which allows home nations players to represent their adopted homeland provided they have been educated in that country for five years. Driver fell two months short.

Akers' Dotcom Past

Chris Akers, the businessman who has emerged as a key figure in the potential sale of Rangers, is best known for leading a reverse takeover of Leeds United in 1996, but it is his connections from the dotcom era which may lie behind his potential return to the football arena, writes Simon Bain. A former City sports analyst, he became chairman of 'Leeds Sporting' for three years until he was ousted by Peter Ridsdale, as the club entered a decade of debt-fuelled decline.

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AS World Cup fever builds in South Africa, its neighbours, especially devastated Zimbabwe, are left lamenting dashed dreams of a rich dividend from football's biggest event. A year ago, surrounding countries, from Botswana to Swaziland, anticipated a flood of tourists and teams taking advantage of their high altitude to prepare for South African conditions.

Dickov's Determined to Leave His Footprint On Oldham

PAUL DICKOV, the former Scotland striker, has vowed to instil his renowned fighting spirit in Oldham Athletic after being appointed player/manager of the English League One side. The 37-year-old was unveiled as successor to Dave Penney yesterday after signing a 12-month rolling contract at Boundary Park.

Naysmith Takes Weir's Advice and Signs On at Huddersfield

GARY NAYSMITH has revealed how Rangers' Davie Weir told him to follow his "gut instinct" and sign for Huddersfield Town. The defender knocked back a new deal from Sheffield United to bolster Huddersfield's bid to climb into the Coca-Cola Championship.

New Deals for Pedro and Xavi

Barcelona have rewarded striker Pedro with an improved contract until 2015 and given midfielder Xavi options to extend his until 2016. Pedro has agreed a one-year extension on his current deal after establishing himself in the first team with 23 goals in all competitions last season.

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THE United States will not win or lose the World Cup on Saturday, but Landon Donovan knows their Group C opener against England will have massive consequences for "soccer" back home. A win against England would not only smooth their path into the second round, it could also boost the country's bid to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and prove that the huge resources invested in growing the game back home are bearing fruit.