The Rumour Mill: Tuesday's football news and gossip

Published on 22/03/2011 08:32

In today's Rumour Mill: Aberdeen linked with Jennings; Scotland hit by injury worries for Brazil clash; Moyes has open invitation to Weir; plus the rest of the day's football news and gossip.

Brown planning another Well raid

Aberdeen boss Craig Brown is targeting out-of-contract Motherwell midfielder Steve Jennings for a summer signing. The Dons manager worked with the Englishman at Fir Park and is understood to be chasing his signature, despite Well boss Stuart McCall's offer of a three-year deal. Brown has also revealed his interest in Brechin striker Rory McAllister, but said that he is only one name on his target list. (Daily Express)

Midfield problems for Scotland

Scotland could have to face Brazil at the weekend with a virtually unrecognisable midfield, after Steven Naismith pulled out of the squad yesterday and Scott Brown travelled to the Scots' training camp in La Manga carrying an injury. (The Scotsman)

• Gary Caldwell says Scotland's off-the-leash stars won't abuse the more relaxed rules Craig Levein has imposed as they prepare for Brazil in La Manga. (Daily Record)

• Brazil coach Mano Menezes has called up untried Internacional forward Leandro Damiao as cover after it emerged that Alexandre Pato and Nilmar are both likely to be missing through injury. (Daily Express)

More build-up to Scotland v Brazil...

Moyes eyes coaching role for Weir

Everton manager David Moyes says he would love to see Rangers captain David Weir take up a coaching role at Goodison Park when he retires as a player. "I would love to have him back at Everton as part of my staff in the future, if he's interested," said Moyes. "He's a great professional and someone who all the players at Everton and Rangers should look up to." (Various)

• Rangers boss Walter Smith claims that adding the SPL title to the CIS Cup would better the nine-in-a-row championship run he notched up in his first stint at Ibrox. (Daily Record)

• Rangers have been dealt a blow with the news that on-loan defender Kyle Bartley could have kicked his last ball for the club. The Arsenal youngster suffered a knee injury against PSV Eindhoven that is likely to keep him out until May. (Daily Express)

Stokes denies rift via Twitter

As reported in yesterday's Rumour Mill, Anthony Stokes was quick to refute yesterday's story in The Sun, in which his father and agent John claimed the Celtic striker was furious with manager Neil Lennon for leaving him out of the side for the CIS Cup final and that he wanted to quit Parkhead. Writing on his Twitter page, Stokes insisted: "Don't know where this story has come from, but not exactly the first thing you want to see in the morning. "Simple as this - going NOWHERE!!" (Various)

• The Sun, for their part, claim that Stokes is to hold talks with Lennon today to convince him he doesn't want to leave. The newspaper says it has a recording of the phone call with Stokes' father.

Mixu braced for cuts

Kilmarnock boss Mixu Paatelainen has revealed that he will be forced to slash his wage bill next season even if the club reach Europe. A top-six spot is worth 500,000 but the club are 10.5million in the red and the Finn admitted: "There is going to be a cut in my playing budget no matter how high up the table we finish." (Daily Mail)

IN BRIEF

• Peterhead have reportedly parted company with boss Neale Cooper, who is set to be replaced by John Sheran. (The Sun)

• Dunfermline striker Liam Buchanan is confident the Pars' title ambitions will be enough to stop Dundee's unbeaten run when the sides meet tonight.

• Former Motherwell boss Jim Gannon has parted company with Port Vale after just three months in charge.

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