What The Papers Say

A summary of Wednesday's Everton news.

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.

THEY are clubs equally drenched in history with a special shared heritage of players.
 
A long line of greats have pulled on the blue jerseys of Everton and Rangers; from Gary Stevens, David Weir and Duncan Ferguson to Nikica Jelavic in the most recent era.
 
And news yesterday that the Ibrox club faces liquidation was likely to have been met with dismay by many at Goodison Park; from Glasgow native David Moyes, to fellow Scots Alan Irvine and Jimmy Lumsden.
 
A creditors’ deal to save the financially stricken club was rejected by HMRC on Monday, meaning Rangers will have to re-form as a new company if it is to continue football operations.

The remaining 11 Scottish Premier League clubs will then have to vote on whether to re-admit the “newco” to the league, and other issues remain unanswered about membership of the Scottish Football Association.
 
The new Rangers will also be hit with a three-year ban from European competition by UEFA, ensuring that this week has become a new low for supporters of the Old Firm side.
 
Croatian striker Jelavic admitted he was heartbroken when he found out Rangers had entered administration back in February, just a month after he departed for Goodison.
 
And despite being involved at Euro 2012 his thoughts will be with his former club this week as players, staff and fans come to terms with the latest set-backs.
 
On Sunday night Jelavic’s ability was there for all to see when he produced a trademark finish in his country’s 3-1 Group C romp over the Republic of Ireland, and even though it capped a happy six months for the 26-year-old, he has been left shocked and stunned by events at Ibrox.
 
“Things have been great for me since I signed for Everton but I do have a lot of sympathy for the guys at Rangers,” he said.

DAVID MOYES will reap further rewards for his transfer bravery – after he was the only Premier League manager willing to take a risk on Nikica Jelavic, says Scotland boss Craig Levein.
 
Levein was not surprised by the goal-scoring prowess of Jelavic at Everton last season, given his prolific 18 months with Rangers.
 
The former Rapid Vienna forward continued that form by scoring 11 goals in 16 appearances for the Toffees following his £5.5m January transfer.
 
And Levein – who watched the 26-year-old score during Croatia’s 3-1 Euro 2012 win over Ireland on Sunday – praised Moyes for taking a chance with Jelavic, although he did not see much risk in the signing.
 
He said: “The thing about David Moyes is he does take a chance on players. He took a chance when other people sat on the sidelines.
 
“We had phone calls from a few English managers asking about him.”
 
Levein believes other managers in England, including former Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, were mistaken to decide against pursuing the Croatian.
 
“I think at Rangers Jelavic was probably more affected than most by the troubles off the field,” he said.
 
“His last two or three months weren’t great, I think he had kind of switched off by then. But prior to that he was excellent.

TONY HIBBERT hopes Everton win a penalty during his testimonial against AEK Athens – so he can finally break his goal-scoring duck.
 
The veteran defender will be honoured with a special fixture against the Greek giants on August 8, as reward for his 10 years of first team football at Goodison Park.
 
Hibbert, 31, surpassed a personal milestone of 300 appearances for the Toffees last season, and while he never even envisaged having a testimonial, he admits he will step forward during the showcase if Everton get a spot-kick.
 
“The crowd wouldn’t leave the stadium if I didn’t take it,” said Hibbert. “I think I will step forward if we get a penalty.
 
“It’s only when I sit down and think about it that I realise that it was a long time ago I made my debut.
 
“When I made my debut I never considered that I’d be at the club for another 10 or 11 years.
 
“There are a few players recently who have had testimonials but it is becoming more rare that you hear of a player being at a club for 10 years.”
 
Born in Huyton, Hibbert joined Everton at youth level and was a member of the Toffees’ 1998 FA Youth Cup-winning side.
 
He went on to make his full debut in March 2001 as Everton defeated West Ham 2-0 at Upton Park and last season surpassed a personal milestone of 300 appearances for the club.

The future of Everton midfielder Tim Cahill remains unclear after clubs in Saudi Arabia and China became the latest to make a move for the Australia international.
 
Reports have suggested Saudi club Al Hilal have made a multi-million pound offer to lure the midfielder to the Middle East while Press Association Sport understands Chinese side Guizho Renhe have made an official approach to the 32-year-old.

Last week Cahill turned down turned down a 16 million dollar (£10.3million) three-year deal from an unnamed club in Saudi Arabia.

The midfielder, who played a starring role in Australia's 1-1 draw in their World Cup qualifier against group leaders Japan today, has made no secret of his desire to one day play in the Middle East.

He has two years remaining on his contract at Goodison Park and is happy at the club he joined in 2004 but it is believed he would consider a move overseas.

The future of the Everton midfielder Tim Cahill remains unclear after clubs in Saudi Arabia and China became the latest to make a move for the Australia international.

Reports have suggested that the Saudi club Al Hilal have made an offer to lure the midfielder to the Middle East while the Chinese side Guizhou Renhe have reportedly made an official approach to the 32-year-old.

Last week Cahill turned down turned down a $16m (£10.3m) three-year deal from an unnamed club in Saudi Arabia.

The midfielder, who played a starring role in Australia's 1-1 draw in their World Cup qualifier against group leaders Japan on Tuesday, has made no secret of his desire to one day play in the Middle East.

He has two years remaining on his contract at Goodison Park and is happy at the club he joined in 2004 but it is believed he would consider a move overseas.

Harry Redknapp's reign as Tottenham manager could be about to come to an abrupt end as he heads for crunch talks about his future.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will make it clear at the Wednesday meeting that a new contract will not be on offer, despite the north Londoners finishing fourth in the Premier League last season.

Levy is prepared to allow Redknapp to go into the final year of his current £3million-a-year deal, but it is understood the manager wants assurances he has the full support of the club’s hierarchy.

Unless that backing is forthcoming, then they may negotiate a pay-off, with preliminary discussions already taking place.

Everton manager David Moyes would be the No1 as replacement.

Twitter was awash with speculation on Tuesday night that the Spurs boss had already quit.

But Redknapp told ESPN: “No, I haven’t resigned , this is an outrage... for people to be putting around this rumour on the internet.”

Despite that statement, the situation has reached make or break for the 65-year-old, who was, to the surprise of many, overlooked for the England job last month in favour of Roy Hodgson.

Levy is prepared to leave Redknapp in no doubt that he can either like it or lump it over his contract.

The pair’s relationship has been tested during a turbulent few months.

Redknapp stalled on talks about a new deal in February because he wanted the England job.

That disappointed Levy, who then watched as Spurs’ form collapsed to the extent that they ended up missing out on finishing third in the Premier League and the Champions League place that goes with it.

That was a hammer blow for Tottenham, who now face a battle to keep stars Luka Modric and Gareth Bale at the club this summer.

Spurs eyed up Brendan Rodgers - who instead went from Swansea to Liverpool - when they thought Redknapp would beat Hodgson to the England post.

But now Moyes could be back on the agenda, while Wigan’s Roberto Martinez could be another option if Redknapp goes.