Football: Dundee get cold feet over United buy-out

DUNDEE HAVE pulled out of a proposed deal which could have seen them being bought out by their city rivals. They were reportedly the subject of a pounds 2m bid from Dundee United, but it is believed that Dundee have now dismissed the idea.

Dundee have started construction work to bring their dilapidated Dens Park ground up to the Scottish Premier League standards. The work must be completed by 31 July, otherwise they risk being thrown out of the Premier League.

Neither club has commented publicly on the proposals, although it is believed talks were so far advanced that a press conference had been called for last Monday afternoon to announce the deal.

"We have always maintained that any joining together of the clubs would have to be slanted in favour of United because of the respective assets owned," said a United spokesman. "Equally, we believe it could happen only if it was acceptable to the board of directors of Dundee Football Club. To date that has not happened and the clubs remain separate."

Rangers have failed to have their last game of the season against Kilmarnock moved back to its original date of 22 May. Under the deal between the Scottish Premier League and Sky TV, all five closing matches have been switched to 23 May, with all games set for a 6.05pm kick-off.

Rangers' secretary, Campbell Ogilvie, contacted the League asking for the change - which would clash with the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle - but was told his request had no chance of being granted.

"They said Sky couldn't allow us to play on the Saturday because there wasn't another suitable time slot," Ogilvie said.

One of the front-runners to replace Jim Farry at the Scottish Football Association has ruled himself out of contention.

The Scottish Football League secretary, Peter Donald, had been seen as the ideal man to step into the sacked Farry's shoes as the SFA chief executive. However, with the SFA currently drawing up a short-list from the 45 initial applications, Donald has admitted he is not interested.

"I have a job in football which I enjoy and there is still a number of challenges for me with the League," Donald said. "I am not interested in going to the SFA."