The Rumour Mill: Friday’s football transfer news and gossip

Lennon watches Norwegian target

Neil Lennon flew to Belfast last night to watch Celtic target Markus Henriksen play in a Europa League qualifier against Crusaders. The £2.5m-rated Rosenborg youngster has also attracted the attention of Hamburg, but the Glasgow club could offer the bonus of Champions League football. (Sun)

• Henriksen is being lined up as the perfect replacement for Ki Sung Yeung, who is being linked with an £8m move to Queens Park Rangers. The Premier League club are sponsored by Air Asia and see the South Korean as part of their marketing strategy. (Mail)

Rangers newco latest

• Ally McCoist last night came out in favour of newco Rangers joining the Third Division: “We had a meeting with our supporters last night and the vast majority of them – in the region of 75-80 per cent – have said enough is enough, let’s go to SFL 3. Our good friends at Celtic across the city issued a statement that stated that integrity was of paramount importance to Scottish football, and we totally agree with that.” (Various)

• The Scottish Football League have set a dramatic date of Friday the 13th to determine whether newco Rangers should be admitted to the First Divsion next season. (Various)

• A survey has found that 14 SFL clubs plan to vote in favour of newco Rangers starting in the Third Division, with only two backing them for the First. The remaining 14 are either unknown or plan to abstain. (Sun)

• Ally McCoist wants to sign former Celtic and Hearts striker Craig Beattie. (Record)

• Just 250 season tickets have been sold at Ibrox as Rangers fans wait to see where their side will be playing, leaving the club with a £15m shortfall. (Record)

• Inverness chairman Kenny Cameron believes SPL clubs’ refusal to admit newco Rangers has re-energised his club’s relationship with its supporters. (Scotsman)

• Everton manager David Moyes admits they have benefited from the “tragedy” which has befallen Rangers by snapping up Steven Naismith on a free transfer. (Scotsman)

• Romanian defender Dorin Goian insists he will stay at Rangers no matter what division they are playing in next season. (Sun)

• The fans’ takeover of St Mirren has been postponed amid the uncertainty over SPL finances following the rejection of newco Rangers into the top flight. (Scotsman)

• Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston believes his club should be given the ‘Club 12’ slot in the SPL. (Various)

IN BRIEF

• Dunfermline will monitor former Blackpool midfielder Stephen Husband in pre-season training. (Record)

• Meanwhile, Dunfermline midfielder Gary Mason has turned his back on football at the age of just 32 to pursue a career away from the game. (Express)