Rumour Mill: Marius Zaliukas | Amido Balde

Hearts captain Marius Zaliukas celebrates his side's 5 - 1 victory over Hibs. Picture: SNS

Rangers target Marius Zaliukas

Ally McCoist is to hold talks former Hearts captain Marius Zaliuskas as he looks to make the 29-year-old his defensive lynchpin next season. Zaliukas is a free agent having left Hearts last season. (Sun)

Celtic increase offer for Amido Balde

The Parkhead club have increased their offer for Vitoria Guimaraes striker Amido Balde to exceed Crystal Palace’s £1.7m bid.

Balde has expressed a desire to move to Celtic with the deal expected to be concluded within the next 48 hours. (Sun)

David Weir set to be unveiled as new Sheffield United manager

Former Rangers captain David Weir is set to become the new manager of Sheffield United manager in the next 48 hours. He will leave Everton where he has been reserve team coach. (Record)

Henrik Ojamaa signs for Legia Warsaw

The Motherwell striker has signed for Polish side Legia Warsaw for £300,000 after being linked with rivals Lech Poznan. (Sun)

Kyle Lafferty a target for Palermo

Rino Gattuso could make ex-Rangers forward Kyle Lafferty his first signing at the Serie B club once he takes over after ending his contract with Sion. Palermo have had a bid for Lafferty, who plays under Gattuso at Sion, knocked back but are expected to go back in for the player. (Express)

East Fife look to Ismael Bouzid

Former Hearts defender Ismael Bouzid could become the latest high profile player to join the Fifers after it emerged manager Willie Aithchison is keen to take the Algerian international to Bayview.

Christian Nade has agreed in principal to join the club. (Record)

Celtic could make late bid for Johnny Russell

Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson says it is not too late for the Parkhead club to make a move for striker Johnny Russell despite the forward having agreed terms with Derby County.

The 23 year-old is due to undergo a medical at Pride Park on Monday however Thompson says that until the deal is signed and sealed another club could come in and top Derby’s £750,000 offer. (Scotsman)

Blackburn stand firm on David Goodwillie

Aberdeen’s hopes of landing David Goodwillie seem to have been dashed with Blackburn Rovers determined not to let the player leave on the cheap. The Dons had hoped to take the former Dundee United forward on loan however Blackburn are looking to recoup some of the players £2.2m signing fee and £20,000 a week wages with Bolton waiting in the wings. (Record)

Dunfermline could be 5 weeks away from liquidation

Fans will have to raise £175,000 if Dunfermline Athletic are to be saved from liquidation, according to the club’s administrator Bryan Jackson who says the chances of the club surviving are 50/50.

Pars United are £173,000 short of the £500,000 needed to buy the club.

Jackson says that in five weeks the club will run out of money and, if still in administration, will be hit by a ten point penalty and will have to pay a bond of £150,000 which will effectively make the club unsellable. (Scotsman)

Hearts 5 - 1 final players pledge support

All four goalscorers in the Tynecastle club’s Scottish Cup final win over rivals Hibs have pledged their support to the Foundation of Hearts.

Rudi Skacel offered his backing on Thursday with Darren Barr, Danny Grainger and Ryan McGowan also making a financial commitment. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Deportivo are looking to take Celtic striker Lassad back to Spain

• Former Celtic winger Daryl Murphy has signed for Ipswich Town

• Former Dundee United striker Noel Hunt is set to join Leeds United after being freed by relegated Reading

• East Stirling’s former Freiburg midfielder Phillip Zufle has left the club to return home to Germany

• Livingston have lost out in the race for Calum Elliot after the former Hearts striker signed for Raith Rovers

• Aberdeen have confirmed that Stephen Hughes has been released from his contract 12 months early

Rumour Mill: Marius Zaliukas | Amido Balde | Kyle Lafferty