Rumour Mill: Rangers | Nacho Novo | Alex McLeish

Dave King: Poised for Rangers return? Picture: SNS

Craig Mather flies to South Africa to tempt Dave King back into the boardroom, former Rangers striker Nacho Novo pines for a return to football, and Alex McLeish says Gordon Strachan and Mark McGhee renewed his appetite for management

Craig Mather in Dave King deal

Rangers chief executive Craig Mather has flown to South Africa in order to broker a deal with former club director Dave King, paving a way for a return to the club. Mather has offered King a seat on the board in return for a significant financial investment. King had seen a previous investment of £20m drained away as the club fell into administration last year. (The Sun)

Adam Matthews out until 2014

Celtic full-back Adam Matthews has been ruled out until the New Year after club doctors confirmed he would require surgery on his shoulder. Club officials said: “Adam saw a specialist and he will undergo shoulder surgery on Wednesday. “It’s likely that he will be out for between 10 and 12 weeks.” (Scotsman)

Nacho Novo pines for Rangers return

Nacho Novo has admitted that he is desperate to play football again as he continues his search for a club. The free agent has been holding out for a return to his former club Rangers, but is having to make do with taking charge of Ibrox stadium tours. A trial with Kilmarnock earlier this year was also unsuccessful.

“I am starting to get bored, to be honest with you,” Novo said. “I can definitely do a job for someone.” (Scotsman)

Last chance saloon for Scottish stadium booze ban?

Scottish FA secretary Campbell Ogilvie has suggested that a ban on booze in Scottish stadiums may be lifted. A meeting between football authorities, government officials, clubs and police may see the end to a ban that has been in place since the 80s. Ogilvie said that football had matured since drunken episodes had marred Scottish football’s reputation, but that safety concerns would have to be “satisfied” before measures to reverse the ban would be implemented. (Scotsman)

Alex McLeish itching to get back into management

Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish has said that seeing Gordon Strachan and Mark McGhee in the dugout as fired him up for a return to management. He said that a meal with former team-mate Eric Black renewed his passion for getting back into management.

“Seeing Gordon and Mark back involved at the frontline brings out the managerial masochist back in me. I think to myself: ‘Yeah, I’d like a bit of all that again.’”

McLeish has been out of work since February after leaving Nottingham Forest after just 40 days in charge at the club. (The Sun)

Stevie May should stay at St Johnstone

Stevie May has been told that he will become a better player if he chooses to remain at St Johnstone. The striker, who has seven goals so far this season, has attracted interest from League One outfit Peterborough, but Saints captain Dave Mackay has urged the forward to continue learning his trade at McDiarmid Park. 
“Stevie is a goalscorer... hell be the first to admit he’s not the finished article and there is more to add to his game. His link-up play and hold-up play can get better - and it will get better.” (Daily Record)