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

Rangers could move for Fraser

Aberdeen winger Ryan Fraser has attracted the interest of Rangers boss Ally McCoist after he rejected the offer of a new deal at Pittodrie. Despite the transfer embargo in place at Ibrox, McCoist and chief scout Neil Murray are looking at players whose deals are up next summer, with a view to pre-contracts. (Sun)

Lennon has Premiership ambitions

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has revealed he would one day like to manage in the English Premier League. With his reputation soaring after Celtic’s Champions League success, the Irishman said: “I’m ambitious and maybe one day if I’m still good enough a Premiership team might shine the eyes at me and it would be something to consider. I’m very happy here at the minute but who knows?” (Various)

Dundee boss blasts ref

Barry Smith has criticised referee Williw Collum for awarding Dundee United a penalty in yesterday’s derby - after he had let play continue until the shot was saved by keeper Rab Douglas. The Dundee boss said: “There are too many grey areas and it has to be cleared up. When is it a penalty? When do we stop playing advantage?” (Record)

Romanov hits out at Hearts takeover bid

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov has vowed that he will not let the ailing club go into oblivion but he has criticised the Foundation of Hearts, the consortium led by Alex Mackie which is trying to buy him out and turn the Tynecastle outfit into a supporters-run club. The Lithuanian banker said: “The starting offer of the Foundation of Hearts was more of a bad joke. They offered to take over the club for £450,000 and for us still to fund it until January. In our view, this does not show their good intentions, but they said they will come back with a real offer reflecting the value of the club. I am surprised they want to buy the club with supporters’ money and not invest their personal wealth like I did.” (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Barcelona forward Lionel Messi set a record of 86 goals scored in a calendar when he netted his second in a 2-1 La Liga win at Real Betis last night, beating Gerd Muller’s 40-year-old record of 85. (Various)