The Summer 2013 Transfers and Rumours Thread

[Steve1872 4]

STV Sport‏@STVSport9mRangers signings can't play as trialists if league reconstruction approved http://bit.ly/18R4j6D

 

Rangers will be unable to field any of their summer signings as trialists for as many as six games if league reconstruction plans are voted through on June 12.

STV has obtained a copy of the proposed rules for the Scottish Professional Football League as already voted upon by SPL sides.

The regulations forbid the use of unregistered players in any league match across all four divisions or in League Cup matches.

Rangers have completed pre-contract agreements with Cammy Bell, Nicky Clark, Nicky Law, Arnold Peralta and Jon Daly and had hoped to field them on a rotational basis under current SFL rules, prior to their registration embargo being lifted on September 1.

If league reconstruction fails to go through then current rules will apply.

That means Ally McCoist will be able to field two trialists per game, with each player eligible to feature in a maximum of three fixtures.

Should the vote pass, the club will only be able to play their future signings in the Challenge Cup, reserve games or in non-competitive matches.

That means the players would have to sit out four league fixtures and at least one League Cup game, potentially two if Rangers advance to the second round.

Rule 88 of the proposed rulebook states: "Trialists are not under any circumstances eligible to play for a club in a league match or League Cup match."

The rulebook says trialists are eligible to play in "official matches" but goes on to say: "For the purposes of this rule, official matches do not include league matches or League Cup matches."

Scottish Football League clubs will have their final say on the creation of the new SPFL on June 12. 22 from 29 clubs must vote in favour of the plans.

With Scottish Premier League teams having already unanimously backed the proposal, a successful ballot will lead to the implementation of the SPFL rulebook in time for the 2013/14 season.

The new SPFL rules have no restriction on the number of players aged over 21 in squads. Current SFL regulations forbid more than 22 being registered by a club at any given time.

[Thinker 887]

STV Sport‏@STVSport9mRangers signings can't play as trialists if league reconstruction approved http://bit.ly/18R4j6D

 

It seems that the SPL, rather than (as some are suggesting) trying to fast-track us up the divisions, are far more intent on shafting us.

 

I suppose it's possible that this might be an accidental change of small print in a rule, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it turned out to be deliberate and malicious anti-Rangers behaviour.

[Super Cooper 0]

Rules changing to hamper our progress. Shock horror although we do not anyone new to get past the first few weeks and dross from the SFL2 etc.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

some simple posponing of games may be called for.

 

maybe someone will die.

[Gribz 850]

Making rules up as they go along! How petty!

 

September 1st will come around quick enough anyway once the season starts.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Deal or no deal? Scottish Premier League could block Danny Wilson's move to Hearts

 

THE SPL could block Danny Wilson’s switch to Hearts despite the club trying to play down fears over an unpaid tax bill.

 

The cash-strapped capital outfit owe HMRC £100,000 in PAYE and have seven days to find the funds or face a winding-up order.

 

Despite the outstanding bill, the Tynecastle club still unveiled defender Wilson last week after he signed a three-year contract.

 

However, as the transfer window hasn’t officially opened, Wilson’s documents haven’t yet been lodged with the SPL and SFA.

 

The earliest the Jambos can do that is June 10 and while they haven’t broken any rules, the SPL can block signings if they feel a club has acted improperly.

 

An SPL source said: “We are keeping an eye on the situation closely.

 

“It isn’t the first time there’s been such action taken by HMRC but previously, and entirely without help from Lithuania, Hearts managed to deal with the issue. Our rules allow us to investigate if we feel there’s been an unfair trading of players. Whether that fits into this category, I don’t know.”

 

SPL rivals hit out at Jambos last year when they beat clubs to signings while their players weren’t receiving their wages on time.

 

After Hearts signed St Mirren target Craig Beattie in February 2012, Buddies boss Danny Lennon said: “It is a wee bit frustrating that Hearts can pay three or four times what we are paying yet they can’t pay their players’ wages. It doesn’t seem fair.”

 

Wilson was paraded last week after leaving Liverpool and the 21-year-old admitted he sought assurances from the Hearts hierarchy over the club’s financial future before penning a deal.

 

Just over a week later it has, however, emerged there are fresh concerns the club could enter administration over the unpaid tax bill.

 

But a spokesman for the Gorgie men said: “We are in dialogue with HMRC and expect to make payment in the very near future.”

 

Hearts were only able to stave off a separate winding up order launched by the taxman last December over a £450,000 tax bill thanks to the generosity of their fans.

 

Gorgie bosses were also forced to agree a repayment plan for a separate tax bill of more than £1.5million.

 

The picture is not helped by issues surrounding the financial state of the Jambos’ owners in Lithuania, who are owed £25m by the club.

 

Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas was already aware of this latest tax bill crisis on Saturday when he sent out a season-ticket appeal to fans.

 

In that he said: “We aim to resolve all the financial issues before the campaign kicks off in August.”

 

still say he would be ideal.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

humphrey has joined preston.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Making rules up as they go along! How petty!

 

September 1st will come around quick enough anyway once the season starts.

 

in fairness the spl already don't allow this and it's essentially their rules that are being adopted. it will come around fast and i don't think this is anything to do with us.

[The Real PapaBear 0]

some simple posponing of games may be called for.

 

maybe someone will die.

 

That's really cynical, GS.

 

I mean, what sort of club would be so morally bankrupt as to do something like that just to achieve a sporting advantage?

Surely nobody in this country?

 

Surely.

[ian1964 10,724]

Celts face Rangers in fight for Dunne

 

CELTIC face losing out to RANGERS in the race to sign Richard Dunne.

 

SunSport can reveal Queens Park Rangers are set to beat the Hoops to land the Republic of Ireland defender.

 

Bhoys boss Neil Lennon revealed he was keen on freed Aston Villa ace Dunne.

 

But his hopes of signing him now look doomed as Harry Redknapp pulls out all the stops to try to land the 33-year-old.

 

That has seen the newly-relegated Premier League side installed as firm favourites to sign Dunne.

 

Lennon needs central defensive reinforcements, with Thomas Rogne and Rami Gershon heading for the exit this summer.

 

The Hoops gaffer was considering Dunne as an experienced option.

 

Dunne didn’t play a single game for Villa last season due to injury — but that hasn’t put clubs off.

 

It’s understood sides in the USA and the Gulf states are also keen.

 

However those offers, and the one Celtic were considering, look doomed, with Redknapp determined to land his man.

 

The promise of regular first-team football is also likely to see an offer from Premier League new boys Cardiff City hit the buffers.

 

Dunne played for 25 minutes of Ireland’s friendly win over Georgia on Sunday — his first match since Euro 2012.

 

He could now face the Faroes in tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier.

 

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/4957257/Celts-face-Rangers-in-fight-for-Richard-Dunne.html#ixzz2VO01oOKr