Today's other stories in brief

Real's Perez calls for a new European Super League

REAL MADRID president Florentino Perez is plotting a football revolution in Europe after calling for the continent's biggest clubs to create a new 'Super League'.

Perez, who returned for a second stint as president of the Spanish giants last month, has embarked on a multi-million spending spree over the past few weeks, signing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema as part of his plan to assemble a new generation of galacticos.

The 62-year-old is now casting his net even wider in his bid to alter the face of European football, and has criticised Uefa’s handling of the Champions League, indicating that the format of the competition does not benefit the biggest clubs.

“We have to agree a new European Super League which guarantees that the best always play the best – something that does not happen in the Champions League,” said Perez.

Players still for sale, says Smith

RANGERS MANAGER Walter Smith admits every single player is still up for sale this summer.

The Ibrox club revealed back in January they could be forced to sell key personnel in a bid to balance the books, albeit no big names left at that time.

Fans had hoped winning the Premier League – and securing automatic entry into the lucrative group stages of the Champions League as a result – would mean holding on to their top stars.

But Smith says every player has a price. He told the Sunday Mail: “What happened in January is still there. Every player is susceptible to a bid.

“We told them circumstances meant we had to sell a player and we’re still in that situation.”

Van Gaal wants end to speculation

BAYERN MUNICH coach Louis van Gaal is looking to end the speculation surrounding Franck Ribery as he believes “it is not good for the club”.

The Dutchman, who led AZ Alkmaar to the Eredivisie crown last season, is hopeful the France international will stay at the Allianz Arena but he is also aware the ongoing saga may be disrupting the rest of the squad.

He told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper: “The rumours are not good for Franck, not good for Bayern Munich and not good for me.

“It must be resolved quickly. We must solve the problem but it is not that simple. “There are many factors involved, not least the money.”

Ribery is being chased by big-spending Real Madrid but Bayern have remained steadfast in their refusal to sell.

However, with the talented playmaker admitting last week he would jump at the chance of moving to the Bernabeu, Bayern’s hand may be forced.

McManus could lose captaincy

STEPHEN McMANUS could be set to lose the Celtic captaincy after manager Tony Mowbray revealed he had yet to decide who his skipper will be. McManus inherited the armband from Neil Lennon in July 2007 and Mowbray says the defender has all the qualities necessary to be a leader on and off the park.

However, the new Hoops boss believes there are others within the Parkhead dressing room who also have the potential and admitted the role could even go to a new summer signing. “I don’t know Stephen’s own thoughts on it,” said Mowbray. “I’ll see what he thinks, how much that decision would impact on him, positively or negatively. “I haven’t seen any reason why Stephen doesn’t fit all the criteria.”