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

Published on Thursday 2 September 2010 09:31

In today's Rumour Mill: Rangers to Sheikh off Miller bids; Zaliukas upsets Hearts director with wage demands; Motherwell pinch Gow from under the noses of Swindon; plus the rest of the day's football transfer news and gossip.

Rangers to reject Miller bids

Rangers are set to knock back Middle East bids for Kenny Miller (pictured) - because it's too late to replace the in-form striker. The Sun newspaper reported yesterday that cash-rich soccer shiekhs want to tempt Miller away from Ibrox, citing solid interest from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. But Walter Smith is light on strikers with Andrius Velicka moving to Aberdeen and Nikica Jelavic ineligible for Europe. (The Sun)

Zaliukas told Hearts will not be held to ransom

Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas has warned captain Marius Zaliukas that the club won't be held to ransom after the Lithuanian internationalist demanded an extravagant wage rise. Zaliukas - whose loan deal from FBK Kaunas in his homeland expires at the end of December - could have played his last game for Jim Jefferies' side just weeks after being handed the armband. (The Scotsman)

Swindon anger over Gow's move to Well

Swindon last night branded Alan Gow a money-grabber after the striker signed for Motherwell. The League One side thought they had agreed terms with the 27-year-old on Monday, but the deal collapsed after Gow allegedly asked for more money. That cleared the way for Well's last minute swoop. (The Sun)

Foster hopes Rangers loan can boost his cap chances

Richard Foster hopes his shock loan move to Rangers can pave the way for him to make his long-awaited breakthrough into the Scotland team. Foster made the season-long switch to Ibrox just hours before the transfer deadline on Tuesday night, while striker Andrius Velicka headed in the opposite direction to Aberdeen. (The Scotsman)

Tottenham land Van der Vaart in late 8m deal

Rafael van der Vaart was last night in as much of a daze as Tottenham fans after the Premier League sanctioned his 8 million move from Real Madrid with hours to spare. Spurs had been sweating on clearance to bring the Holland midfielder to White Hart Lane after technical difficulties hampered their efforts to submit the relevant paperwork for the signing before Tuesday's 6pm transfer deadline. (Various)

IN BRIEF

• Dundee last night signed giant Finland striker Njazi Kuqi on a one-year deal. The 6ft 4in former Birmingham and Blackpool hitman is able to move outwith the transfer window as he's a free agent. (Sun)

• Tam McManus could be set for a return to Falkirk as Steven Pressley runs the rule over the former Hibs striker. (Mail)

• East Stirling last night signed former Hamilton and Hearts utility man John Neill. (Sun)

• Morton have released veteran midfielder Neil MacFarlane. (Sun)

• Former Aberdeen target Lee Hendrie has been given the chance to win a deal with Championship side Reading. (Express)

• East Fife want to sign former Aberdeen defender Phil McGuire. The 30-year-old free agent is currently training with the Methil side. (Express)

Love football? Bit bored? Easily pleased? If the answer to all these questions is 'yes' then you might like Burst Baw, the new football blog from scotsman.com.

• Follow the Burst Baw on Twitter

• Join the Burst Baw page on Facebook