The Rumour Mill: Wednesday’s football news and gossip

Kris Boyd is considering a big-money move to MLS side Houston Dynamo after quitting Turkish outfit Eskisehirspor. While interest from the Old Firm clubs for the Scotland striker appears to have dwindled, US club Dynamo have made a hefty offer for Boyd which could net him over a million dollars. (Sun)

Rangers manager Ally McCoist has admitted his interest in Real Valladolid striker Javi Guerra. McCoist confirmed reports he had been watching the 29-year-old, who has scored 37 goals in 60 games for his club during the past two seasons, but he was coy over the likelihood of a January move for the player. (Various)

McCoist could also go head-to-head with rivals Celtic in the race to sign Rapid Vienna striker Hamdi Salihi. The £500,000-rated forward was reportedly a target for Rangers during the last transfer window, but the SPL champions did not have sufficient funds to reunite him with his former strike partner Nikica Jelavic. Despite the fact that Celtic have already lodged their interest in the 27-year-old, McCoist is set to renew his interest. (Express)

Celtic, though, may wait until the final week of January before deciding whether to make a move for Salihi or any other target. (Herald)

As he attempts to strengthen his squad for the title push, McCoist has also urged owner Craig Whyte to tie winger Sone Aluko to a long-term deal. The Nigerian signed on a free transfer in November until the end of the season with the option of a further two-year contract. The Rangers boss is also keen to secure the services of defender Sasa Papac, whose current deal expires in May. (Record)

Meanwhile, Ibrox misfit Matt McKay has rejected a loan switch to Saudi Arabia because he believes he can still reignite his career in Scotland. The 28-year-old Austrailian midfielder also feared a move to the Middle East could jeapordise his World Cup place. (Express)

Celtic boss Neil Lennon is weighing up a move for talented Icelandic youngster Ingolfur Sigurdsson. The teenage winger - who plays for Vallur in Reykjavik - joined fellow trialist Rabiu Ibrahim in the Parkhead team that beat St Johnstone in a Lennoxtown bounce match yesterday. (Record)

Beram Kayal has promised to be better than ever when he returns from injury, after it emerged that the influential Israeli midfielder is out for the season. (Record)

Kilmarnock’s hopes of signing Derek Riordan could be thwarted by the player’s desire to move abroad. The striker is training with the Ayrshire club whose manager, Kenny Shiels, spoke yesterday of his admiration for the former Hibernian attacker and how he could fit into Kilmarnock’s style of play. But Riordan’s preference is to move to foreign fields rather than return to the SPL, a league he became disillusioned with towards the end of his second spell with Hibs. (Scotsman)

Better news for Killie fans is that the club has agreed a deal with Doncaster to keep Dean Shiels until the end of the season, despite his father Kenny having admitted defeat in the matter. The Ayrshire club have also fought off a late bid from Hibs to sign experienced Scunthorpe defender Michael Nelson. (Express)

Rudi Skacel has confirmed he is in talks to extend his contract with Hearts but has warned that he is tired of being used as a substitute. The Czech international’s current deal expires at the end of the month but he would like to prolong what is his second stint at the Tynecastle club. Hearts have opened discussions with the attacking midfielder but any new deal will hinge on the player’s wage demands. (Scotsman)

Dunfermline Atheltic could be set to secure the loan signing of Preston North End goalkeeper Iain Turner today. East End Park manager Jim McIntyre has confirmed that the SPL’s bottom club are in discussions with the League One side, with a view to the player moving north of the border until the end of the season. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Aberdeen boss Craig Brown has urged teenage midfielder and Fulham target Jack Grimmer not to quit Pittodrie too soon.

• Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has said there is “not a chance” he will sell Scottish striker Steven Fletcher in the transfer window.

• Hamilton have signed striker Jon McShane on loan from St Mirren.

• Falkirk winger Jack Compton could be on the verge of a move to Rotheram.

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