Latest Transfer Update at 11-05-2012

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Rudi Skacel: Hasn't had a new Hearts offer

SKACEL EXPECTING HEARTS FAREWELL

Rudi Skacel has a departing wish as he prepares to leave Hearts for a second time, saying: "I'll do everything to finish with the Scottish Cup in my hands."
Despite being top scorer with 16 goals this season, the 32-year-old forward is yet to be offered an extension to his current contract, which expires shortly, and anticipates the William Hill Scottish Cup final against Hibernian on May 19 will be his final appearance for Hearts.
Skacel, who left for Southampton after the 2006 cup success over Gretna and returned to Edinburgh in September 2010, said: "We will see what happens in the summer but so far it looks like it will be my last game. I haven't had any offer.
"I'll do everything to finish with the Scottish Cup in my hands.


"I have fantastic memories from 2006. If I finish with the Scottish Cup in my hands I will be so proud."
Skacel appeared to say farewell to Tynecastle in last Sunday's win over St Johnstone, the final home match of the campaign which saw Hearts win to go two points ahead of the Perth side in fifth place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
He said: "To be honest, 2006 was more emotional for me because I was more prepared for that this season.
"I can't stay here forever. This time I was more calm and enjoyed the game and then said goodbye to the Tynecastle supporters.
"We will see what happens in the summer. You never know."
Hearts go into Sunday's final league match against Celtic requiring a point to secure fifth place ahead of St Johnstone and a Europa League spot for next season.


Skacel is frustrated by what he considers to be a lowly finish and believes, given Rangers' problems, Hearts should be playing Champions League football next term.
Skacel, who dismissed Hearts' own woes including four occasions this season when player salaries were significantly delayed, said: "We can save the season with the Scottish Cup. I'm not really happy how we finished the league.
"We are the third biggest club in the country. Especially this season we should have been fighting for the Champions League and not for fifth place.
"We should be second this season."
Hearts won their last meeting with Celtic, the Scottish Cup semi-final when Skacel was named player of the round for his performance in helping to set up the first all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup final since 1896.


Skacel insists Hearts are not distracted by the cup ahead of the trip to Parkhead, where Celtic will receive the SPL trophy.
"They will celebrate the championship and we need points to secure the Europa League for next season," Skacel added.
"We go step-by-step and we have the last step in the league and then we focus 100% on the final."
After that Skacel's future will be determined, but he insists he is not yet contemplating retirement.
The former Czech Republic international said: "I feel young and I want to play for another three or four years. I don't want to retire.
"I still love football, I'm still hungry, I'm still looking for some challenge."


Midfielders Ian Black, Adrian Mrowiec and forward David Obua have already been told their contracts will not be extended, while the futures of striker Craig Beattie and manager Paulo Sergio are still to be clarified.
First-team coach Gary Locke addressed the media, with Sergio reluctant to speak about the Scottish Cup and his own future.
"I think he (Sergio) is in discussions at the minute with the board and hopefully that will get sorted out in the next couple of weeks," Locke said.
Locke revealed Beattie may be involved on Sunday despite his recent hamstring strain, while David Templeton, Arvydas Novikovas and Mehdi Taouil could play as Sergio prepares to shuffle his pack.

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Kenny Shiels: Wants to stay at Rugby Park

SHIELS WANTS DECISION OVER KILLIE FUTURE

Kenny Shiels has called for a swift conclusion to discussions over his future as Kilmarnock boss to end any uncertainty at Rugby Park.
Shiels steered Killie to victory in the Scottish Communities League Cup in March and takes his side to Dunfermline on Saturday seeking to consolidate their seventh-placed position in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
The Northern Irishman then wants to agree a new deal with chairman Michael Johnston, with talks yet to take place.
"It needs to be wrapped up in a manner which is in the best interests of the club," Shiels told Press Association Sport.
"And the best interests of the club is to have me as the manager, I feel. That's what everyone else thinks as well."
Shiels stepped up from his position as assistant boss to succeed Mixu Paatelainen as manager last March and the lack of clarity over his future is nothing new.


He added: "This time last season I was in the same situation where I didn't know if I was going to be the manager or not. It's the same scenario.
"There's nothing there at the minute for me, so tomorrow could be my last day. You never know.
"I want to have optimism about the place. It's very important to me that I'm still part of Kilmarnock after Saturday. I want to be.
"I want to put the team first and see where it takes us."
Shiels has begun planning for next season and is eager to build on this campaign.
"It's a big challenge and we'll endeavour to do that," he added.
Killie enter tomorrow's final round of fixtures with a two-point lead over eight-placed St Mirren, who play at Aberdeen, but an inferior goal difference.
"It's important to me to finish seventh," Shiels added.


"It's been a fantastic, absolutely brilliant season. I've had a lot of well-wishes and congratulations from people. I feel it's just reward.
"Hopefully we can go on now, finish the season in style and get the result that we deserve."
Kyle Letheren is set to be granted an opportunity in goal in place of first-choice Cammy Bell, while Shiels may decide to introduce other young talent.
"We'll have a couple of young kids in to try to help them develop their career and hopefully it will help us to get a result," he added.

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Rangers' administrators are in advanced talks

RANGERS TAKEOVER TALKS 'VERY ADVANCED'

Rangers administrators Duff and Phelps stated on Friday night that negotiations with two interested parties were at a "very advanced stage" as they hit back at claims made by the Blue Knights.
Earlier on Friday, the Blue Knights withdrew their offer after claiming time had run out for them to effect a Company Voluntary Arrangement.
David Whitehouse, joint administrator, said in a statement: "The most important information today for Rangers supporters is that discussions with two bidding parties are at a very advanced stage and we hope to reach agreement with one at the earliest opportunity."


One of the groups involved in discussions is reported to have links with former Sheffield United chief executive Charles Green.
Brian Kennedy, who has latterly spearheaded the Blue Knights bid along with former Rangers director Paul Murray, had warned Duff and Phelps would have "blood on their hands" if the club failed to survive after their ultimatum passed without action.
Kennedy - who had secured a deal to acquire Craig Whyte's shares - valued their bid at £11million, including £5.5million up front, conditional on a CVA being agreed by creditors.
The Sale Sharks owner added that another £2million could be put into the CVA pot dependent on European success while they would pay off the £3.5million owed to football clubs. Kennedy added: "We inherited £3.5million of debtors."
Kennedy and Murray also accused Duff and Phelps of "spin" and misrepresenting their bid.
Whitehouse responded: "It is most unusual for us to comment publicly on individual bids but due to the allegations made by Mr Kennedy and Mr Murray today with the regard to our conduct as administrators we feel compelled to reveal important facts in relation to the various Blue Knights attempts to buy the club.
"For the avoidance of doubt some of the comments made at today's press conference were grossly misleading.
"First I would state unequivocally that every opportunity was afforded to these parties.


"The fundamental reason we could not proceed with the Blue Knights/Ticketus combination was that we were advised there was not agreement within the consortium in relation to the funding of their bid.
"Throughout the process Mr Kennedy told us repeatedly he would be the 'last man standing'."
Whitehouse added: "As Mr Kennedy today made a virtue of explaining publicly details of his bid we are in a position to comment on those remarks.
"Of the £5.5million cash on 'day one' figure Mr Kennedy quoted, £3.5million of that would be provided by us in any case from the club's debtors.
"The bid structure also factors in performance in Europe, and reaching the later stages of the UEFA Champions League which cannot be achieved next season for example."


The Blue Knights, without Kennedy, were previously offered preferred bidder status but could not pay the £500,000 exclusivity fee as their partnership with investment firm Ticketus disintegrated.
The new partnership was later beaten by American Bill Miller, who subsequently withdrew his offer.
Whitehouse said: "We find it extraordinary and very disappointing that Mr Kennedy in particular should assert that the amount being offered is irrelevant.
"Time and again he and others have been afforded the opportunity to become the best bid in play and it has not happened.
"We have a statutory duty to accept the best bid that is deliverable.
"The bid should also be commercially better than the liquidation of the business.
"Mr Miller's bid was deliverable but he chose not to proceed. We firmly believe the best interests of the club would be served by all involved in the process respecting the bidding process."


(reopens) Kennedy later responded by publishing a letter from his lawyer to Whitehouse.
The letter addresses the value of the bid, pointing out that European income is based on the second and third seasons, that most of the £3.5million from debtors will be needed to fund trading losses in the next few weeks, and that the Knights had agreed to fund "huge" trading losses after June 1, when players' wage cuts finish.
The lawyer, David Hinchcliffe, goes on to stress that the Knights' offer was the only one on the table.
"You seem to be continually comparing the quantum of my client's bid against bids such as the Miller bid which are not real," Hinchcliffe wrote.
"As you know I have vast experience of people making bids for insolvent football clubs.


"I cannot see how any of these new parties can be making real bids when they have done no real due diligence.
"Proof of funds may have been provided but it does not make sense to me why investors would invest in Rangers without full due diligence by them and I would strongly recommend that full due diligence is carried out by you on these parties as there is no time to have another Miller situation.
"Finally, regarding your comment that Brian wanted to be the last man standing. In mine and Brian's view he is as we don't believe the other bidders will complete.
"If you want to talk to find a way to save this great club, Brian has said his phone will be on this evening otherwise I fear it will be too late."

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Brian Kennedy: 'Not clever brinkmanship'

TIME RUNNING OUT, CLAIM BLUE KNIGHTS

The Blue Knights have issued Rangers administrators Duff and Phelps with a stark warning that time has almost run out to save the club after they withdrew their own bid.
Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy and former Ibrox director Paul Murray, who has fronted the consortium, had issued a noon ultimatum to Duff and Phelps.
Administrators said on Friday night that discussions with two bidding parties are at "a very advanced stage" after American tycoon Bill Miller withdrew his offer within days of being named preferred bidder.


The Blue Knights' bid - which they valued at £11million - involved exiting administration via a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).
They fear it is now too late for a CVA to be agreed and say a newco option, favoured by Miller, is simply not financially viable.
Kennedy said: "It's too late. This is not some clever brinkmanship. This is our lawyers telling us that if we want them to do a proper CVA, professionally put-together, we need a team of lawyers in Ibrox (on Saturday morning) at 9am, otherwise they cannot deliver a CVA for the start of next season.
"When you have got an institution like this that is at death's door, what is important is deliverability, not just quantum, which is substantial.
"We cannot afford to make another mistake. Duff and Phelps better have a good, credible bid on the table that doesn't fall over."
Murray added: "A CVA is now looking very, very difficult in terms of timescale.


"The newco, which is the easiest option in terms of deliverability, we believe is financially so difficult and has a range of other football issues.
"It didn't surprise us that Bill Miller quickly withdrew from the process. The sums of money involved in a newco structure are very large.
"Unless Duff and Phelps have got a plan that I haven't seen so far, then I think we are in a real crisis.
"Time has now run out. Decisions that are made now are absolutely critical to the future of the club.
"I hope they are making the right choice. They have made other choices in the past that have turned out not to be the right ones for the club.
"I really hope this time they've got it right. If they haven't, the future is pretty bleak. This is absolutely critical now."
The Blue Knights' plan involved former Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Gordon McKie working on the financial and operational side of the club and former Ibrox bosses Walter Smith and Graeme Souness working alongside manager Ally McCoist as part of a football board.
Kennedy, who revealed he had agreed a deal with Craig Whyte to acquire his 85% shareholding, said: "Anybody with a brain in their head can see this as a credible plan, that is fully-funded by credible people with the right motives.


"By virtue of the fact that Duff and Phelps have chosen not to go with us as preferred bidder, they better have somebody good, some good credible consortium, fully-funded, who does not fall away next week and the result being the liquidation of Rangers Football Club."
He added: "Graeme and Walter had agreed to come in on a part-time basis, probably a non-executive basis, with a view to helping Alistair create long-term strategy, going out and finding the best players at the best prices with good prospects for the future.
"For the three of them to be able to do that working collectively, we all thought would have been an absolutely phenomenal team to come together."
Murray said the press conference was called partly to provide clarity over the bidding process after claiming the Blue Knights had been mis-represented by administrators.
He said: "It's important that we explain our position because there has been a lot of mis-information and spin which has been created in this process.
"We have been mis-represented on a number of occasions.
"People are trying to help the club and, let's be clear, the people involved here are all people with Rangers' interests at heart.
"There is no-one doing this to make money. I can assure you, this is not a way to make your fortune.


"I find it perplexing that Duff and Phelps almost try to question why we are doing things and mis-represent us. I find that bizarre."
Kennedy expressed surprise at the emergence of new bidders this week in the wake of Miller's withdrawal, with reports claiming former Sheffield United chief executive Charles Green is involved with one of the groups.
He said: "I think we are all surprised, aren't we? Suddenly these guys pop up from nowhere. Where have they been for the last three months?"
Murray added: "This is the most complex thing I've been involved in in 25 years so, quite frankly, for someone to arrive last week and try to figure all of this stuff out, for me, is bemusing."