Rumour Mill: Rangers | Scott Allan

New Rangers manager Mark Warburton watched Scott Allan play for Hibs against Dunfermline at the weekend. Picture: Neil Hanna Photograph

Rangers to open talks with Hibs in quest for Scott Allan

RANGERS will step up their interest in Hibs playmaker Scott Allan by opening talks with the Easter Road side.

Hibs are desperate not to sell their highly rated midfielder to their Championship rivals, but Ibrox chiefs will not take no for an answer.

New manager Mark Warburton watched Allan in action against Dunfermline at the weekend and is determined to capture the 23-year-old, after Wigan duo James Tavernier and Martyn Waghorn signed three-year contracts with Rangers yesterday. (The Sun)

McAlister says racist claims hurt more than Cifti’s bite

JIM McAlister insists being wrongly slurred as a racist hurt far more than Nadir Ciftci’s bite.

Former Dundee United striker Ciftci, now at Celtic, was yesterday banned for six matches with a further two suspended for sinking his teeth into Dundee defender McAlister last season.

In the aftermath, McAlister was accused of provoking the incident by hurling abuse at the Turkish striker. Last night McAlister said: “The most hurtful thing of the whole lot was the accusations levelled against me. I was more shocked when I read that statement. I was away with Dundee at the time and one of the staff told me to look at what had been said. I wouldn’t have made a story out of nothing. Why would I have done that? I’m just glad it’s all over and justice has been done.” (The Sun)

Saints defender Anderson out for seven weeks.

ST JOHNSTONE defender Steven Anderson has been ruled out for seven weeks with a fractured eye socket.

The 29-year-old was hit with an elbow during the Europa League game against Alashkert at McDiarmid Park on 16 July and tests have revealed the centre-back suffered a fracture which requires an operation.

Saints manager Tommy Wright said: “It’s going to require an operation which will take place this Friday and will require a six-week recovery, so we are looking at a seven-week absence now. (Daily Express)

Lennon bemoans lack of cash at Bolton

FORMER Celtic boss Neil Lennon admits it’s proving tough to put a team together at Bolton as he struggles with a lack of cash.

Lennon is having to move players on to finance deals of his own and says this is making it difficult for him to put his stamp on the English Championship side.

“The money isn’t there,” Lennon said. “It’s not my squad at the moment because I’ve only brought three players in. It’s not ideal.” (Daily Record)

Rumour Mill: Rangers | Scott Allan | Nadir Ciftci