The Rumour Mill: Friday's football news and transfer gossip

Published on Friday 3 September 2010 09:23

In today's Rumour Mill: Celtic renew interest in free agent Shittu; Dons wait on Udinese defender; Keane 'not bothered' by Celtic gossip; plus the rest of the day's football news and transfer gossip.

Celtic in talks with Shittu

Celtic were last night locked in talks with Bolton defender Danny Shittu (pictured). Neil Lennon has renewed his interest in the towering player after he secured his early release from his contract. The Nigerian international, 30, was paid up before the close of the transfer window and can now move elsewhere as a free agent. (Daily Express)

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Aberdeen line up Udinese defender

Aberdeen have completed the paperwork on a deal to sign Nikola Vujadinovic on loan from Udinese, but the Pittodrie club must wait and see if the Serbia-born Montenegrin defender receives a work permit before finalising the move. (The Scotsman)

Keane unmoved by speculation

Robbie Keane says he was unconcerned by the closure of the transfer window despite speculation over his future, which included a much-mooted return to Celtic. "It doesn't really affect me," Keane said. "There's always speculation, but unfortunately, I can't help speculation. I can just concentrate on what I'm doing. I was quite relaxed about the transfer window, I wasn't really too bothered." (The Herald)

Gow shrugs off Swindon 'disgrace' jibe

New Motherwell signing Alan Gow insists he will not lose any sleep over being branded a "disgrace" by Swindon Town after a potential move there collapsed. He said: "I heard that they had a bit of a go at me, but I never agreed to go to Swindon. I never agreed any terms. I said I would go down and have a look at the place. I went down and I wasn't happy with the deal. I came back home and that's life." (The Scotsman)

Duffy wants permanent deal at Hibs

Like hundreds of young Scottish footballers before him, Darryl Duffy thought a brighter life awaited him in the English game. For a brief time after he left Falkirk for Hull City in 2006 it seemed he was right, but then the dream turned sour, as he moved on a further five times - three on loan, and two in a permanent transfer. Now, a fourth loan has brought him back to Scotland, and the time may be right for him to end his nomadic existence. (The Scotsman)

Zaliukas seeks contract solution at Hearts

Marius Zaliukas intends to return to Edinburgh to resume contract negotiations with Hearts. Club sources suggested earlier this week that the centre-half's wage demands had put paid to his chances of a new deal, but, speaking in Lithuania yesterday, the Tynecastle captain insisted he had not given up hope. (The Scotsman)

Casalinuovo happy to be with Hamilton

New Hamilton striker Damian Casalinuovo says his frustration at being stuck on the Dundee United bench convinced him to try his luck with Hamilton. Casalinuovo said: "I wasn't playing at Dundee United. I had been on the bench for five games and hadn't had the opportunity to play. So this is a great opportunity to come and try to be a regular. I think now it's a good time to change things." (The Scotsman)

McLeish is 'inches' from new Birmingham deal

Birmingham City acting chairman Peter Pannu has dispelled concerns about a rift with manager Alex McLeish over the Scot's ongoing contract negotiations. Pannu was quoted earlier this week saying that McLeish was asking for "a very large amount of money which I was not prepared to meet" and that he was "no Jose Mourinho". (The Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Former Aberdeen and Inverness manager Steve Paterson has ended over two-and-a-half-years out of the game by returning for a second spell in charge of Huntly. (Scotsman)

• Hearts are chasing former Dundee United winger Jennison Myrie-Williams, who left Tannadice on Tuesday. (Mail)

• Hamilton boss Billy Reid says the closure of the transfer window won't halt his bid to bring in new faces as free agents. (Mail)

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