The Rumour Mill: Friday’s football news and gossip

Everton in for Jelavic

Everton are preparing to battle Sunderland for Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic. Toffies boss David Moyes lost out in a bid to sign the Croatian from Rapid Vienna in 2010 and is keen to strengthen his attacking options in the January transfer window. Liverpool and West Brom have also been linked with Rangers’ top scorer. Ibrox boss Ally McCoist last night admitted that he cannot rule out losing Jelavic. (Sun)

Celtic fans in banner controversy

Celtic could be in hot water with Uefa again after a section of their 600-strong travelling support unveiled an offensive banner during last night’s 1-1 draw against Udinese in Italy. Days after the club was fined by European football’s governing body for “illicit chanting”, some travelling supporters unfurled a sign that read “F*** UEFA”. (Record) There were also reports that Celtic fans lit four flares and threw one on to the track as the players came out of the tunnel. (Express)

• FC Sion lost their lengthy legal fight with Uefa yesterday, failing to win reinstatement to the Europa League in a player eligibility dispute which had threatened football’s legal structures. The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Uefa’s right to kick Sion out of the competition because the Swiss club fielded ineligible players in their play-off victory over Celtic. (Various)

McCoist faces fight for Allan

Rangers manager Ally McCoist may make a January move for Scott Allan after confirming an approach had been made to Dundee United over the midfielder, although he faces a fight for the 20-year-old’s signature from West Bromwich Albion, who have already agreed a £400,000 fee with the Tannadice club. (Various)

Hearts pay players but row rumbles on

Hearts yesterday announced that all remaining salary payments for November have been made, 29 days after they were meant to be deposited in players’ bank accounts and hours before PFA Scotland were due to submit a complaint to the Scottish Premier League. However, with the players’ wages for December scheduled to be paid today, the clock has already begun to tick down again. (Various)

• A consortium interested in buying out Vladimir Romanov’s majority shareholding at Hearts are lining up “very strong” candidates for the roles of manager and director of football. (Herald)

IN BRIEF

• Kris Boyd could be on his way out of Turkey after his boss at Eskisehhirspor admitted the injury-hit striker’s future is bleak. (Mail)

• Scotland will face Slovenia in February in a stadium with a capacity of less than 5,000. The Slovenian FA have confirmed that the 29 February friendly – which will help Scotland prepare for their World Cup qualifiers, will be played at the Bonifika Stadium in Koper, with a capacity of 4,221.

• Former Motherwell boss Billy Davies has emerged as the favourite to become manager of Preston, for the second time in his career. (Record)

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