The Rumour Mill: Friday’s football news and gossip

Dalglish ‘pondering Kayal move’

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has reportedly placed Beram Kayal on a list of targets after his Brazilian midfielder Lucas was ruled out for six months with a knee injury. Dalglish watched Kayal during Celtic’s 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night. Although Kayal recently signed a new, extended contract, a fee in excess of £8million could persuade the Parkhead club to part with the Israeli international. (Mail)

• Gary Hooper is reportedly willing to spend his peak playing years at Celtic, despite interest from Premiership clubs including Newcastle United, Sunderland and QPR. Celtic’s top scorer is keen to extend his current deal, which still has 18 months to run, and the club also hold a further 12-month option on the Englishman. (Sun)

• Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes his captain Scott Brown could face a hostile reaction from the club’s support if he does not settle his ongoing contract wrangle. (Various)

• Jos Hooiveld last night vowed to take Southampton to the Premiership and show Celtic they were wrong to dump him, after making his loan to the Championship outfit permanent. (Sun)

• Celtic defender Daniel Majstorovic has warned his Swedish compatriot Mikael Lustig that he cannot expect to walk into the first team when he arrives at the club in January after signing a three-and-a-half year deal. (Sun)

• Lennon believes Udinese will be a tough challenge for Celtic in the Europa League, but also hinted that the referees may not be on his side either. “Referees might have taken a few quid along the way, as well,” he said. “That’s been proven, hasn’t it? I’m not saying it’s always the case, but it’s very difficult over there.” (Scotsman)

Whyte faces SFA test

Rangers last night expressed their confidence that chairman Craig Whyte is fully compliant with the Scottish Football Association’s criteria to be an office bearer for any club under their jurisdiction, after it emerged that the SFA is looking into the matter.

• It has also emerged that UEFA could ban Rangers from European football next season unless their financial house is in order. But Ibrox sources insist they still have four months to ensure their accounts are signed off and submitted to the SFA. (Record)

• Rangers’ Indian trialist Sunil Chhetri has branded his trip, with fellow striker Jeje Lalpekhlua, a waste of time after they barely had time to kick a ball. (Record) But Rangers boss Ally McCoist has assured the pair they will continute to be watched when they return to the I-League. (Express)

• Rangers have begun discussing a potential tie-up with Brazilian club Corinthians. (Record)

Fenlon plays down ‘clear-out’ rumours

New Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon has played down speculation that he is preparing a January firesale at Easter Road. He said: “I think it’s important we see the players here, as we’ve got some good ones. My job is to get the best out of them and bring them on. That would mean maybe in January we might not need to do as much work as people think.” (Scotsman)

Talks over league reconstruction

Scottish football bosses have been given the go-ahead to form a proposal for a radical new league structure. Discussions took place yesterday at Hampden aimed at transforming the current format, and the chief executives of the SPL, SFL and SFA have now been given a mandate to deliver a ‘consultation paper’ to clubs. (Sun)

SFA can’t stop Mackie’s Team GB ambitions

SFA bosses have told Jamie Mackie he is free to play for Great Britain at next year’s Olympics, despite their stance that allowing Scotland players to feature would damage the identity of Craig Levein’s side. (Sun)

Killie boss wants 5 years

Kenny Shiels has insisted he should be given five years to see his Kilmarnock project through, but warned there could be more 6-3 thrashings along the way. He said: “The pathway for professional football clubs of our ilk is to grow from the bottom, to grow your own players. That takes time - it doesn’t happen in a season. That’s a five-season thing.” (Record)

Lomas unfazed by touchline ban

St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas is confident his players will perform without his influence on the touchline at Tynecastle after he was banned for making an offensive gesture during a game at Ibrox. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Dunfermline could travel to Ibrox tomorrow with just 14 fit players after being hit by an injury crisis. (Sun)

• Ross County boss Derek Adams says he is wary of Raith’s contingent of on-loan Hearts youngsters, ahead of their First Division clash tomorrow. (Sun)

• Ayr United full-back Eddie Malone has ended speculation about his future by signing a deal until the end of the season. (Express)

• Sunderland have put former Celtic boss Martin O’Neill at the top of their wanted list and it is understood an approach has been made to the Northern Irishman who, along with Mark Hughes, is now a leading contender to replace former manager Steve Bruce, who departed on Wednesday night. (Various)

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