Rumour Mill: Rangers want Derek McInnes | Kris Boyd

DEREK McInnes features on a short-list of managers wanted by Rangers, Gary Locke is looking to bring Kris Boyd back to Kilmarnock, and Dedryck Boyata looks set to be unveiled as Celtic’s first summer signing later today.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is supposedly wanted by Rangers. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Gary Locke wants Kris Boyd back at Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock manager Gary Locke revealed he wishes to bring back former Killie hitman Kris Boyd for a third spell with the club.

Boyd was in scintillating form in his last season at Rugby Park, netting 22 league goals in the 2013/14 Scottish Premiership campaign.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is supposedly wanted by Rangers. Picture: Ian Rutherford

After earning a move back to Rangers, Boyd was a huge disappointment, scoring only three league goals despite dropping down a level to the Scottish Championship. (Daily Record)

Derek McInnes on Rangers’ manager ‘wish list’

The Rangers board have included Aberdeen boss and former Gers midfielder Derek McInnes on a wish list of potential managers.

Current boss Stuart McCall is due to meet with the club’s board within the next few days to decide his future, with reports from Ibrox suggesting the interim coach still has a chance of earning the role on a permanent basis despite failing to achieve promotion back to the Scottish Premiership. (Daily Mail)

Boyd scored 22 league goals in his last season at Killie. Picture: Getty

Mark Warburton has ‘huge respect’ for Rangers

Mark Warburton has declared his “huge respect” for Rangers but refused to be drawn on reports linking him with the manager’s job at Ibrox.

However, it is understood the former Brentford manager has had preliminary discussions with the club and is on a short-list of potential candidates drawn up by the board. (The Scotsman)

Celtic to unveil new signing Dedryck Boyata

Dedryck Boyata is likely to be unveiled as a Celtic player later today. Picture: SNS

Celtic will parade Manchester City defender Dedryck Boyata at Celtic Park later today as the club’s first summer signing.

The Belgian will sign a three-year deal with the Scottish champions after forcing a move out of Manchester City as he seeks first-team football.

The transfer fee is thought to be around £1.5 million for the centre back who made three first team appearances last season. (Scottish Sun)

World ban looms for Bilel Mohsni

James Keatings switched one Edinburgh club for another. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Bilel Mohsni is likely to be handed a lengthy suspension by the SFA which will be applied in any league in world football for his role in the ugly scenes at Fir Park on Sunday.

The Tunisian international defender will be issued with a notice of complaint from SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan within the next 48 hours and is set to be charged with excessive misconduct for kicking and punching Motherwell striker Lee Erwin during the second leg of the Scottish Premiership play-off final.

It was Mohsni’s final appearance for Rangers who yesterday branded his actions “completely unacceptable” and stated they would have taken their own disciplinary steps against him had he remained at the club. (The Scotsman)

• Mohsni branded Motherwell striker Lee Erwin a “coward” and defended his actions by saying he only lashed out at the Motherwell striker in self-defence. Erwin pushed the Rangers defender in the back before Mohsni responded with a kick and a punch, sparking a brawl between players of both sides. (Daily Record)

• Paul Lambert believes the reprehensible behaviour of defender Bilel Mohsni in the immediate aftermath of Rangers’ 6-1 play-off humiliation against Motherwell has tarnished the club’s reputation.

The former Aston Villa manager has also questioned whether any checks on the temperamental Tunisian were done before he joined Ibrox in 2013. (The Scotsman)

Lee Erwin is on the verge of joining Leeds United. Picture: PA

James Keatings signs for Hibs after leaving Hearts

Hibernian moved quickly yesterday to secure the signature of Hearts striker James Keatings, who left the Tynecastle club on Friday by mutual consent.

The 23-year-old forward, who scored 11 times for Hearts in their successful Championship title-winning season, is now bidding to win his third successive promotion to the Premiership.

The attacker revealed he had offers to join a Premiership club, but decided to stay in the second tier in order to work with Hibs boss Alan Stubbs. (The Scotsman)

Leeds confident of landing Celtic target Erwin

Leeds United believe they will tie up a deal with Motherwell striker Lee Erwin when the youngster returns from a holiday in America later this month.

The 21-year old helped Motherwell retain their top flight status after scoring in the first leg of their play-off final victory over Rangers.

Leeds face competition from Celtic who are interested in taking the striker to Parkhead.

Erwin is out of contract this summer, though Motherwell will receive a development fee should he decide to take one of the other offers on the table. (Yorkshire Evening Post)

John Sutton could leave Motherwell

Speculation that John Sutton may leave Motherwell have been intensified by his name appearing on the PFA Scotland available players list. The striker is out of contract in the summer and could join the likes of Iain Vigurs, Paul Lawson and Mark O’Brien in the Fir Park exodus. (Evening Times)

Leigh Griffiths will miss Old Firm derby

Celtic hitman Leigh Griffiths admitted it was ‘disappointing’ Rangers failed to earn promotion back to the top flight because he was relishing four Old Firm derbies next season.

However, the striker was quick to stress Motherwell deserved their place having proven over two legs that Rangers were not good enough for promotion. (Evening Times)

• Griffiths has credited his return to the Scotland set-up with a new healthy lifestyle. He has, he claims, sworn off fizzy drinks, specifically Irn-Bru.

“My body fat probably wasn’t up to his standards,” conceded Griffiths. “I’m trying to eat the right foods. I was a sucker for fizzy juice but now it’s all about diluting juice and water.” (The Scotsman)

Gary Teale leaves St Mirren by mutual consent

Former St Mirren boss Gary Teale has left the club via mutual consent. Teale took over the managerial duties from Tommy Craig earlier this past season but was unable to keep the Buddies in the top flight. He was subsequently overlooked for the role permanently, with Ian Murray to take over, and has decided to rip up his playing contract which still had a year left to run. (Evening Times)

News in brief

• Dundee have signed Stranraer keeper David Mitchell to act as deputy to current No.1 Scott Bain at Dens Park next season. (Daily Express)

• Raith Rovers have signed former Dundee United midfielder and Scotland under-19s skipper Darren Petrie. (Raith Rovers)

• Stranraer have installed former Ayr United boss Brian Reid as their new manager, replacing Stephen Aitken who left for Dumbarton. (BBC)

• Motherwell defender Louis Laing, who spent the second half of the season on loan from Nottingham Forest, has stated his desire to remain with the Lanarkshire club. (Sky Sports)