Scottish Football Briefing - 26 January

Published on Friday 26 January 2007 11:35

Aberdeen

Mark Fotheringham is back in Scotland and might be moving to Aberdeen. Or Hibs. Or Rangers. He’s only 23 apparently and has been playing with Aarau in Switzerland. He explained the situation in this style: "I just want to get back into the fold and possibly for the national squad. I hope to be given the chance to show here what I learned out there."

As Darren Mackie leads, so do the rest follow. By which I mean three other players are looking to extend their contracts. And they would be Karim Touzani, Gary Dempsey and Andrew Considine. Willie Miller said: "It was refreshing to see all four players putting the chance to play for Aberdeen ahead of pushing for extra money we can’t afford."

Celtic

John Kennedy looks like he might be on the verge of a comeback. New reserve team coach, Willie McKay had these things to say on his showing for the second string: "It was another good day for John. It was his first full 90 minutes, so that's another barrier broken. He looks as if he's getting his timing back, he looks strong and he’ll be pleased with his performance."

He’s going to be joined by a new defensive colleague as agent Willie McKay completes a deal to take Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe to the club from Rennes. The 28 year-old Cameroon defender will sign until June with an option to extend for another two years.

Dundee Utd

The Darren-Dods-to-Dundee-United deal is done and dusted. With a pre-contract agreement signed and sealed, the Caley Thistle man will be at Tannadice in June. Craig Levein said: "Darren will bring solidity to the defence. And his leadership qualities are well known and will benefit the team as a whole. He will bring exactly the type of experience we require." If I were Craig Brewster, I would be currently wondering what Craig Levein has that I didn't. You try for months to bring in any Caley player at all, get rebuffed at every turn, and then Levein waltzes in and swipes their captain.

Meanwhile, 25 year-old defender David McCracken has been told he can find another club.

Dunfermline

Andy Tod has been told he can leave the club this month. The new man in charge, Stephen Kenny said: "I’ve given him permission to speak to other clubs. There could be a few players on their way out."

Stephen Glass has been signed on loan from Hibs. Kenny said: "He's a very creative player and we probably need that creative spark a little bit"

Falkirk

Falkirk have signed Carl Finnigan. The Bairns have bagged the 20 year-old striker from Newcastle despite the best attempts of Darlington, St Mirren, Hibs and those giants of the game, Accrington Stanley. Falkirk manager John Hughes said: "We've been watching Carl for a few years now and are impressed with his attitude and desire to win." Meanwhile, ex-Queensland Roar keeper Scott Higgins is leaving Falkirk for Maccabi Herzliya.

Hearts

The Jambos have been given permission to buy land next to Tynecastle as they plan to take their capacity up to 26,000. Coquettishly, the club refuse to elaborate too much on their plans. "Further details of stadium redevelopment plans and related investment information will only be issued after submission of a planning application to City of Edinburgh Council."

Hibernian

Celtic have half-inched youth coach John Park from Hibs to take over as their football development manager. Park had this to say about Gordon Strachan: "We're looking forward to working together, looking for quality players for him in his first-team and working with the rest of the team."

Inverness CT

Defender Richard Hastings assured Caley fans that he is on the verge of signing an extension to his contract. "Discussions have been held between myself, my agent and the club, and they are going well. I am not in the position to give a yes or no answer just now, but things are moving in the right direction."

Kilmarnock

Resilience, that’s the key, according to Jim Jefferies. Look what he said after Killie saw off Dundee United 1-0 at Rugby Park: "I was pleased with our efforts, and we should have been 3-0 up before our goal. It was fitting that Peter [Leven[ scored as he was a real threat today. We deserved the break and hopefully the team will get a good boost from this for our forthcoming matches."

Motherwell

The Steelmen’s game with Aberdeen will now be played on Tuesday March 13 after it was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The original fixture date had led to an angry response from Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood, as it meant his team playing two games in 48 hours. Luckily for Aberdeen, the rain intervened.

Rangers

The new broom activities continue apace at Ibrox, with Paul Le Guen signing William Stanger being sent on trial to Swedish team GAIS. The 21 year-old has made just one substitute appearance in the first team and is hoping to continue his career elsewhere. And it looks likely Jeremy Clement is joining him in swaggering through the exit door. He's off home to France with PSG all but completing a deal for him

But the departure of the Le Guen signings means more room for new recruits. And the new man is 34-year-old defender Ugo Ehiogu.

St Mirren

Gus MacPherson had this to say on losing out on Carl Finnigan: "As soon as more people became involved it was clear we wouldn’t get him. It's not an issue and we don't feel he has been taken from under our noses, not in the slightest. As we have said before, because of the circumstances we work under, financially and otherwise, if any other SPL club want a player we are interested in then they will get them."

There was more transfer bad news for MacPherson as Clyde turned down a combined bid for Eddie Malone and Stephen O'Donnell.

First Division

Complicated contract clauses have cost Airdrie United the services of Xavier Barrau after less than four months at the club. The 24 year-old insisted on a clause that allowed him to buy out of his contract in the January transfer window. In other news, Mark Birch has left Gretna to go on loan at Southport.

Second Division

Morton are romping it in the Second Division, so it's only right and proper that boss Jim McInally should be handed the manager of the month award after four wins and a draw in December.

Third Division

Brechin and Stenhousemuir have exchanged right backs. David Murie is off to city and Craig McEwan is heading for Stenny.

Premiership

Manchester City are trying to sign Mido from Spurs. He’s sulked his way through five games for the Lilywhites and the suggestion is that Martin Jol rather wishes he hadn’t signed him after his loan spell. By next week we should also know whether Owen Hargreaves has joined Manchester United or not.