The Rumour Mill: Thursday’s Scottish football transfer news and gossip

KAYAL remains confident on Champions League qualification, Hearts to announce new funding scheme and Samaras set for short spell on the sidelines.

Kayal confident Celtic can progress

Celtic midfielder Beram Kayal says Celtic are still on course for the last 16 of the Champions League despite losing to a last minute goal to Barcelona in the Nou Camp.

Celtic currently sit second on four points and have three matches remaining. (Express)

Hearts set for cash boost

The Tynecastle club are on the brink of announcing a major deal that they hope will bring an end to the wage delays which have troubled to club in recent years.

The club are expected to announce a new revenue scheme in the coming days which bosses say will generate repeat annual income. (Record)

Samaras out for three weeks

Celtic striker Georgios Samaras is expected to be out for three weeks following his ankle injury picked up against Barcelona. It had been feared the Greece international would have been sidelined for several months. (Sun)

Celtic deserved to get nothing - Alba

Barcelona defender Jordi Alba said Celtic deserved to get nothing from their Champions League match against the Catalans and that his last minute goal against the Parkhead side was deserved. (Sun)

Butcher and Lomas targeted

Inverness manager Terry Butcher is on the shortlist for the vacant Ipswich Town job following the departure of Paul Jewell while St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas is being considered by Burnley bosses as a replacement for Eddie Howe. (Sun)

Kilmarnock enter Sissoko talks

The Ayrshire side are in talks with Momo Sissoko about a possible return to Rugby Park following his release by Serie A side Udinese.

The 24-year-old has had two previousloan spells at Kilmarnock and is currently training with the club. (Express)

Dillon signs United contract extension

Dundee United have signed up defender Sean Dillon on a two-year contract extension after making 200 appearances for the Tannadice club since joining from Shellbourne in 2010. (Express)

Hearts given transfer embargo punishment

Neil Doncaster has defended the 60 day transfer embargo issued to Hearts which, as the transfer window is closed, looks set to only prevent the Tynecastle club from signing free ageny Rudi Skacel.

Doncaster said they punishment was an “appropriate” sanction. (Scotsman)

Former Aberdeen great steps down from Hartlepool

Neale Cooper has resigned as manager of English league 1 side Hartlepool after securing only seven wins in his last 39 matches. A Pittodrie star of the 1980s, Cooper has previously managed Ross County and Peterhead and steps down from the North East side for the second time. (Various)

IN BRIEF

• The New Year Edinburgh Derby between Hearts and Hibs has been moved from January 2 to January 3

• Dundee’s match against Celtic on Boxing Day has been moved to an evening kick-off

• Airdrie United midfielder Nathan Blockley is set for a week’s trial at Wigan

• Motherwell defender Shaun Hutchinson is expected to miss several matches due to a hamstring injury

• Aberdeen have given a trial to Como goalkeeper Dan Twardzik