The Rumour Mill: Wednesday’s Scottish football news and gossip

In today’s Rumour Mill: Celtic warn suitors that Rogne is going nowhere; McGowan out of derby as fee agreed with Chinese club; Killie keeper Cammy Bell set to snub Rangers plus the rest of the day’s Scottish football news and gossip.

Thomas Rogne is going nowhere, says Neil Lennon

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has issued a ‘hands-off’ warning to clubs tracking the club’s Norwegian defender Thomas Rogne, ahead of Israeli international Rami Gershon’s move to the Parkhead side. Rogne was a surprise inclusion in the team that lost 1-0 to Hibs last Saturday, and looked to be at fault for Leigh Griffiths’ goal, hesitating for just a fraction, allowing the on-loan Wolves striker to take the ball past Fraser Forster before finishing from an acute angle.

Rogne is reportedly on the radar of Swedish side AIK Stockholm, having signed for Celtic from Norwegian club Stabaek in January of 2010, but could extend his stay in Glasgow as Neil Lennon sees him as part of his future plans.

“We would like to get this tied down because Thomas has done well for me,” Lennon explained, adding that the 22-year-old would have played a lot more games if he hadn’t suffered from injury setbacks.

Rogne’s contract is up in summer of this year but is free to talk to other clubs this month, whilst Neil Lennon has played down the chances of Celtic making a big signing during the window.

Meanwhile, the club faces an anxious wait to see whether or not Adam Matthews and Charlie Mulgrew will be fit for the clash with Motherwell this afternoon, but James Forrest, Kris Commons, Joe Ledley and Anthony Stokes remain sidelined.

Ryan McGowan set to miss Edinburgh derby after fee agreed with Chinese club

Hearts defender Ryan McGowan looks set to miss out on a final Edinburgh derby for the Tynecastle side after it was reported that the club had agreed a fee for the Australian international with Chinese side Shandong Luneng Taishan FC.

McGowan, who is out of contract in the summer, had been linked with a move to the Far East, but manager John McGlynn dismissed the talk as ‘pure speculation.’

The player’s agent, Lou Sticca, said earlier this week that the defender had received a number of offers but was most interested in the offer from Shandong.

Along with McGowan, fellow defenders Andy Webster and Marius Zaliukas are also out of contract in the summer and are free to talk to clubs throughout January.

Kilmarnock keeper Cammy Bell set to knock back Rangers to sign new Rugby Park contract

Cammy Bell looks set to put pen to paper on a new deal at Rugby Park, despite interest in the Kilmarnock keeper from Rangers.

Bell’s contract is up in May, and had been linked with an Ibrox move, but the 26-year-old is holding talks with Kilmarnock, who have offered him a five-year contract.

The goalkeeper has been linked with moves away from Rugby Park in the past, but has established himself as the club’s first-choice between the sticks and is keen to sort out his future.

Ross County vow to improve drainage system after second call off in five days

Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor has promised to look at the club’s drainage system after the Dingwall club were forced to postpone their second game in five days due to a waterlogged pitch. The Staggies’ clash with Hearts was called off less than an hour before kick-off on Saturday for the same reason.

A statement from the Victoria Park side read: “Ross County would like to apologise to all fans, but in the face of the heavy rain experienced over the past few days falling on already saturated ground, all efforts to get the pitch to a playable standard were in vain.”

County have lost out on a large portion of revenue from the two postponements, with the Highland derby earmarked for live coverage on BBC Alba, whilst MacGregor offered to pay for Hearts supporters to attend the rescheduled game between the two sides.

Bob McHugh: I’ll fill Jamie Murphy’s boots

Motherwell striker Bob McHugh is adamant he can replace Jamie Murphy, who will likely leave Fir Park this month, with Sheffield United leading the chase for the highly-rated attacker. McHugh has scored two goals in his last four appearances for the Steelmen, and was - perhaps somewhat ironically - denied a third when Murphy got a touch on his shot to be credited with Motherwell’s first goal in the 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock last Saturday.

The 21-year-old is hopeful of filling the void should Murphy move on, and is keen to help Motherwell break a losing streak against Celtic that dates back to February 2011 when the two sides face each other this afternoon.

• Kilmarnock have signed out-of-favour Celtic midfielder Rabiu Ibrahim. The Rugby Park side beat off competition from Russia to tie up the Nigerian on a two-year deal

• Gregory Tade has revealed he sees his long-term future at McDiarmid Park. The St Johnstone striker’s current contract runs out in summer 2014 but the Frenchman is keen to extend his stay at the Perthshire club