The Rumour Mill: Wednesday’s football transfer news and gossip

Published on 25/07/2012 10:02

In today’s Rumour Mill: Rangers expected to confirm SFA membership as Ally McCoist aims to bolster squad; Celtic strikers come in for criticism; Kevin Kyle in St Johnstone trial; plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

Rangers newco latest

• Rangers are expected to be granted a transfer of their SFA membership today which will allow them to begin their newly-constituted era with an already sold-out Ramsdens Cup first-round tie against Brechin City at Glebe Park on Sunday. (Scotsman)

• The Football Association have told Southampton not to give the transfer fee for Steven Davis - around £750,000 - straight to newco Rangers, and place it with the SFA until their membership is approved. (Herald)

• Ian Black and Craig Beattie, two of Hearts’ successful Scottish Cup winning squad who left the Tynecastle side after last season’s Hampden final, trained with Rangers at Murray Park yesterday ahead of potential moves to Green’s newly constituted club. (Various)

• And Rangers will attempt to finalise deals for the former Jambos before Sunday’s Ramsdens Cup clash against Brechin. (Sun)

• Other SPL players to be linked with Rangers today include Dean Shiels and Steve Jennings. It is understood former Kilmarnock star Shiels and ex-Motherwell midfielder are on Ally McCoist’s wishlist. (Express)

• Northern Ireland international Andrew Little is poised to sign a new contract with the club. “Andrew Little is coming back to the club. We’ve agreed terms with him and hopefully he will re-sign tomorrow,” Charles Green said yesterday. (Scotsman)

• Brechin City’s financial structure for the upcoming season could be thrown into disarray if their Ramsden’s Cup tie with Rangers is called off, the club’s vice-chairman, Martin Smith, has warned. (Scotsman)

Mjallby’s warning to Celtic strikers

Johan Mjallby has warned Celtic’s strikers to start finding the net after watching the 1-0 defeat to Norwich. Neil Lennon’s assistant said: “We need to be more clinical... When you create those chances, you have to take them, especially at home.” (Mail)

• Celtic target Stephen Dobbie has told new Swansea manager Michael Laudrup that he wants to stay in Wales. The 29-year-old fell out of favour under Brendan Rodgers and was loaned out to Blackpool, but scored a hat-trick in the Swans’ friendly win over Port Talbot. (Record)

• Daryl Murphy’s chances of leaving Celtic for Ipswich Town could be scuppered after the Parkhead club insisted on a fee for the fringe player. (Record)

Hibs boss plays down Griffiths tweet

Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon has angrily dismissed reports that Leigh Griffiths landed himself in hot water with a “prison camp” tweet from the club’s 
German hotel. The tongue-in-cheek message was sent on Monday evening ahead of last night’s friendly with Union Berlin, which the Easter Road side lost 2-0. The Scotland under-21 forward wrote: “Hotel like a prison camp .... #getmehomeasap.” (Scotsman)

• Hibs goalkeeper Mark Brown has joined Southend on trial with a view to earning a contract at Roots Hall. (Various)

Kyle on trial at Saints

Kevin Kyle has gone on trial with St Johnstone as he continues his comeback after 18 months out with a hip problem. He had been training with Dunfermline and Pars manager Jim Jefferies made him an offer but the former Sunderland and Coventry City striker is desperate to play at the highest level possible. Kyle said: “I know I’m going to be fine and I’ll be a good signing for somebody. I just need to get fit and I can’t really get settled down to do that until I know where I’m going to be playing.” (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• An anonymous American has launched a surprise £1.5m bid for St Mirren. (Mail)

• Motherwell last night completed the signing of former Bradford City defender Simon Ramsden. (Mail)

• Dunfermline could ask former Hibs goalkeeper Graeme Smith to play as a trialist in their Ramsdens Cup match at Forfar on Saturday. (Sun)

• Spartans winger Omar Kader has agreed a deal to join Forfar. (Record)