Football: Appeal by Celtic falls on deaf ears

THE Scottish Football Association yesterday dismissed an appeal by Celtic against a fine of pounds 100,000 imposed by the Scottish Football League for 'poaching' their manager, Tommy Burns, from his previous employers, Kilmarnock.

Celtic are now obliged to pay the fine to the League within the next 14 days, unless they carry out a threat to pursue legal action.

Across the city, Rangers bade farewell to Gary Stevens yesterday. The 31-year-old former England right-back who has been on loan to Tranmere Rovers for a month became the Merseyside club's record signing at pounds 350,000.

Scott Howie, the former Clyde and Scotland Under-21 goalkeeper, has moved from Norwich to Motherwell for pounds 200,000.

The Liverpool manager, Roy Evans, has told the former Arsenal player Michael Thomas that he will not be allowed to leave on a loan basis. Evans said: 'He is still part of my first-team pool and I don't want to weaken our squad.'