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

Published on Wednesday 20 July 2011 09:36

In today's Rumour Mill: Rangers make formal approach for Miller; McCoist still in the dark over Cuellar; Celtic deny Stignen trial comments; plus the rest of the day's football news and gossip.

• Miller has been unsettled at Bursaspor since moving in January

Rangers make formal approach for Miller

Rangers last night offered Bursaspor 650,000 for their former striker Kenny Miller, with a deal expected to be reached today. Ally McCoist decided to make a concrete approach to bring the Scotland international back to Ibrox for a third spell before last night's friendly win over Blackpool. (The Sun)

Update: Rangers have had their bid for Kenny Miller rejected by Bursaspor, according to the BBC and STV. STV reports that Rangers have dropped their interest in Miller and the player is now likely to join Cardiff City, subject to a medical.

• Rangers are pushing hard to bring in USA international Alejandro Bedoya, despite having already had one offer knocked back by his Swedish club Orebro. The SPL champions have been scouting the 24-year-old midfielder for more than a year and are likely to return with an improved package. (Daily Express)

• McCoist has also targeted Anderlecht's Hungarian defender Roland Juhasz, who is valued at 1.5million. The Rangers boss is keen to bring in the 6ft 4in fan favourite as Carlos Cuellar continues to stall on his mooted return to Ibrox from Aston Villa. (The Sun)

• McCoist wants an answer from Cuellar ahead of tomorrow night's signing deadline for the Champions League qualifier with Malmo. The 29-year-old is also attracting interest from La Liga sides Espanyol and Villareal. (Daily Express)

• Rangers have secured another key player on a long-term contract after midfielder Steven Davis signed on for five more years. The Northern Ireland midfielder, who scored both goals in Rangers' 2-0 win over Blackpool last night, follows Allan McGregor and Steven Whittaker in committing himself to the club this summer. (Various)

• Rangers' hopes of securing Kyle Bartley on another loan deal have been dealt a blow, with the young defender now expressing his wish to break into the Arsenal first team this season. (Daily Express)

Stignen 'did not reject Celtic trial'

Celtic have denied reports that Belgian international goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen has rejected the offer of a trial with the Parkhead club. The outspoken 30-year-old was sacked by Club Brugge in February for criticising his team-mates on the internet, and has been quoted in his homeland as being dismissive of a try-out in Scotland: "I am Stijn Stijnen. I've won 30 caps for Belgium and I've played in a host of Champions League and Europa League games. For those reasons, I shouldn't have to prove myself in a trial match." But Celtic rejected this in a statement, saying the player had visited Lennoxtown for a "very positive meeting". (Daily Mail)

Calderwood 'definitely' in charge for SPL opener

Hibernian manager Colin Calderwood last night brushed off fresh question marks over his future at the club when he insisted he would still be in charge come Sunday's SPL opener against Celtic. (The Scotsman)

• Former Australia manager Graham Arnold has expressed his interest in the Hibs job, if Calderwood leaves. The Central Coast Mariners boss saw his side beat Celtic 1-0 recently, and would be able to provide a reference from former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink. (The Sun)

Hearts: Players have been paid

Hearts have announced their players have received their wages following reports of a delay in payment, and insist there is nothing untoward over the wait for last season's bonuses to be paid. The scale of those payments, for finishing third in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, will depend on the club's appeal against a record 100,000 fine imposed by the Scottish Football Association for their disciplinary record. (The Scotsman)

• Hearts defender Andy Webster is expected to be fit to face his former club Rangers in the SPL opener this weekend, despite a groin problem.

Lawwell joins new SFA board

The Scottish Football Association and Celtic last night signalled their intent to move on from their disputes of last season as Parkhead chief executive Peter Lawwell accepted a place on the governing body's new professional game board. (Various)

IN BRIEF

• Inverness boss Terry Butcher is considering a move for Austrian under-21 international Thomas Piermayr. The former Linz right back appeared as a trialist for Caley last night. (The Sun)

• Dundee are set to sign former Dunfermline defender Neil McGregor, following a successful trial. (Daily Express)

• Former Rangers forward Alan Gow could be set to make a big-money move to India. The free agent has been offered a lucrative one-year deal by Kingfisher East Bengal.

• Hamilton boss Billy Reid is still on the lookout for a striker to complete his plans for a First Division promotion push.

• Scotland cap Chris Iwelomu has left Burnley for Championship rivals Watford.

• Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 34.

• Arsenal continue to face a battle to hold onto captain Cesc Fabregas - with Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola vowing the Champions League holders will fight to the end to bring their former trainee back to the Nou Camp.

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