The Rumour Mill: Friday’s football news and gossip

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has reportedly launched a £6million move for Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic. After admitting defeat in his attempt to sign Scotland’s Jordan Rhodes, Allardyce is understood to be keen on bringing the Croatian hitman to the Hammers as he tries to boost their promotion hopes. While the valuation is lower than the £6.5million offer from Leicester which Rangers rejected in August, it could well spark an auction for the highly rated forward. (Sun)

Swedish midfielder Mervan Celik will have a medical in Glasgow today ahead of his proposed move to Rangers. The Ibrox club said the 21-year-old would visit the city for fitness tests before any deal was finalised, after his agent claimed he had agreed a three-year contract. (Various)

And Celik has said it was Rangers manager Ally McCoist who sold him on the move. The 21-year-old, who has been offered a £7,000-a-week deal, said: “The Rangers manager believes in me and I was treated very well when I was there to familiarise myself with the club.” (Record)

Rangers have confirmed John Fleck has joined Blackpool on loan until the end of the season. The midfielder, 20, has made the switch to the Championship side in search of first-team action following limited appearances this season. (Scotsman)

Despite himself, Celtic manager Neil Lennon could not resist comparing new signing Rabiu Ibrahim to former fans’ favourite Shunsuke Nakamura. “He reminded me a bit of Nakamura,” Lennon said. “Technically he is very good and predominantly all left foot. He could take the ball in well, although I don’t know yet what he is like at free kicks. But, like Naka, he can always find space to buy himself a bit of time in a frantic match and he has great game awareness.” (Scotsman)

Lennon also revealed he is ready to offer Fraser Forster a long-term contract. The Celtic boss said he was hoping to get the on-loan Newcastle keeper’s representatives in for talks “pretty soon”. (Record)

The rule which allows the SPL to punish clubs with points deductions is a “very stupid” one, according to Paulo Sergio. The Hearts manager, whose club have been charged by the SPL with late payment of the squad’s January salaries, thinks it would be unfair on his players if they had points docked after a run of form that has seen them climb to third in the table. (Scotsman)

Hearts are close to agreeing a contract extension that would keep Rudi Skacel at Tynecastle until the end of the season. (Scotsman)

Hibernian boss Pat Fenlon has had talks with St Mirren manager Danny Lennon about Jim Goodwin and, while he refused to divulge the nature of the conversation, the 30-year-old midfielder is clearly the kind of player he is looking for. “We’re close to a couple of things at the moment and hopefully they’ll drop for us,” Fenlon added. (Scotsman)

And Fenlon could not offer a firm commitment on the future of striker Garry O’Connor, who has been linked with a move away from Easter Road. “He’s definitely somebody we don’t want to lose,” Fenlon said. “Everybody’s talking but no-one has spoken to us in relation to Garry. Hopefully he’ll be around for the remainder of the season.” (Scotsman)

Falkirk have rejected an increased offer from Crawley Town for prolific top scorer Farid El Alagui. The Moroccan has been linked with interest from Aberdeen and English Premier League side Stoke City in recent days after capturing the imagination of a host of clubs with 21 goals so far this season. Falkirk manager Steven Pressley has revealed a second offer for the marksman, understood to have been £70,000, has been rejected out of hand. (Scotsman)

St Mirren have confirmed they have agreed a fee with Hamilton for Dougie Imrie and the 28-year-old forward was due to have a medical with the Paisley club last night. Saints are confident of agreeing personal terms with the player before today’s press conference to preview their Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against Celtic. (Scotsman)

Sam Parkin has left St Johnstone after failing to work his way into the plans of manager Steve Lomas since his return from injury, while Derby winger Lee Croft finalised his loan move to Perth and is in contention to face Hibs tomorrow. Meanwhile, Lomas could bring Alan Gow back to the SPL after his unsuccessful spell in India. (Various)

Team GB football coach Stuart Pearce has said he would have no problem picking Steven Fletcher for his Olympic side despite the striker’s stand-off with Scotland manager Craig Levein, and said it was “saddening” that the concept of an all-British side had not been embraced by the SFA. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Darren Mackie’s 13-year career at Aberdeen will end in May as the striker has been told there’s no chance of a new deal at Pittodrie.

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