The Rumour Mill: Tuesday’s football news and gossip

McCulloch available for Old Firm clash following red card appeal

Rangers midfielder Lee McCulloch is free to face Celtic in tomorrow’s Old Firm clash after the club appealed his dismissal against St Mirren at the weekend. The Ibrox side submitted a claim of wrongful dismissal to the SFA, which is unable to convene a fast track tribunal until January 5th, enabling McCulloch to play against Celtic as well as Motherwell next Monday. (The Scotsman)

• Anthony Stokes is fit to face Rangers after missing out on Celtic’s last two games through injury, whilst Neil Lennon will give James Forrest until the very last minute to prove his fitness.

Fedotovas insists Hearts wages will be paid

Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas believes the club’s financial difficulties will be resolved sooner rather than later. At the end of a week that saw Eggert Jonsson sold to Wolves and Ryan Stevenson refuse to play in protest over the wage issue, Fedotovas has plans to meet with the Hearts first-team squad over the club’s long-term future. Whilst the December wages are yet to be paid, there are hopes that the salaries will be paid before SPL officials meet to discuss action following the official complaint made by the players. (Various)

Celtic track Ivens and keep tabs on Vardy

Neil Lennon has stepped up his bid to bolster the Celtic defence by contemplating a move for Groningen defender Jonas Ivens. The Belgian has been linked with a move back to his homeland with Club Bruges, but sources say that the defender would be keen to play in Scotland. Meanwhile, Celtic are keeping tabs on Fleetwood Town’s Jamie Vardy, who has scored 14 goals in 17 games for the club. The Lancashire side are currently battling for promotion to the football league with Wrexham and Southport at the top of the Blue Square Premier Division. (The Sun)

In brief:

• St Mirren boss Danny Lennon has defended Graham Carey, insisting that the player is no conman, following Rangers manager Ally McCoist questioning the severity of the incident. Lee McCulloch was sent off for violent conduct, after referee Steven McLean adjudged him to have caught the St Mirren midfielder with an elbow. (Daily Record)

• Pat Fenlon has revealed he is working round the clock to try and add some much-needed new faces to his Hibernian team. Fenlon is without a win since taking over at the club, but is only too aware of the problems, and has so far brought in Irish striker Eoin Doyle to bolster the Hibs attack. (Daily Express)

• Dundee United midfielder Scott Allan has expressed his disappointment via Twitter at the home fans who booed him on Saturday, when he was brought on as a late sub in his side’s 3-1 win over Hibs at Tannadice. Allan, who has been linked with moves to the Old Firm, and West Bromwich Albion, tweeted: ‘Disappointed at what happened having been at the club for 10 years.’ (various)

• Motherwell’s Stevie Hammell believes the side are capable of qualifying for Europe, saying it would be a travesty if the Fir Park side missed out on automatic qualification for the Europa League. (various)

• Rangers are set to renew their interest in recently-departed Celtic youth player Omar Bogle. The Parkhead side released the former Birmingham City youth player despite only signing him during the summer. Championship side Cardiff City are also said to be interested in Bogle.

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