The Rumour Mill: Monday’s football news and gossip

Nikica Jelavic’s father has said that Liverpool is the Rangers striker’s preferred option in the bidding war over his signature. “We know about the interest of West Ham and QPR,” his dad Philip said. “But Nikica has five or six clubs interested, including that of the great Liverpool. As for West Ham and QPR, I think that Nikica is more ambitious than that. It’s most likely he will sign for Liverpool.” (Sun)

However, it is understood that Liverpool’s director of football, Damien Comolli, believes there are better options on the market than Jelavic, and so it is unlikely that a move to Anfield will transpire. (Express)

Two other names linked with Rangers are Real Valladolid’s Javi Guerra and Norwich’s Grant Holt, although the Ibrox club are unlikely to have the budget to sanction either move. (Express)

Enar Jaager’s move to Rangers could be off unless Ally McCoist can move players off the Ibrox wage bill this month. The Estonian international impressed on trial last week but it is understood he will not be able to sign unless players leave. (Record) It has also emerged that Leeds United boss Simon Grayson is keen to take Jaager on trial at Elland Road. (Express)

Rangers have also extended the trial of Honduran midfielder Jorge Claros and he will be joined by 24-year-old Dutch midfielder Luigi Bruins, who is a free agent after leaving Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg. (Express)

Fran Sandaza has hit out at Rangers for trying to get him on the cheap. The Ibrox club tried to secure the striker on a pre-contract, but both the player and the Ibrox boss, Ally McCoist, have said that there will be no deal after the Spaniard opted to see out the season at St Johnstone. “Why did I say no? Honestly, I think they don’t value me highly enough,” said Sandaza. “They are trying to get me cheaply. It’s a big club. Everyone would love to play for that team. But if I play for that team, I am going to score 25 goals – more – easy. So they have to value me properly. I don’t think they have done this with me in the pre-contract.” (Scotsman)

Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp has admitted his interest in Celtic winger James Forrest but played down talk of a £7million bid for the highly-rated youngster. “He’s a good player but we’ve not made any bids,” Redknapp said. (Record)

Celtic have been linked with a move for Real Betis forward Jorge Molina after it emerged that enquiries have been made about the 29-year-old’s availability and price tag. The 6ft 2in striker cost Betis £2million in 2010, and a deal is not thought to be imminent, as Parkhead boss Neil Lennon examines his options. (Sun)

And Celtic chief executive Peter Lawell is understood to be keen to trim the Parkhead squad. If fringe players like Morten Rasmussen, Daryl Murphy and Darren O’Dea are offloaded, the club would have more money to sign a proven goalscorer. (Sun)

Hibs striker Leigh Griffiths could face a third SFA compliance punishment after a camera caught him allegedly raising a finger at supporters during the weekend defeat to St Johnstone. (Express)

Another SPL player who could face disciplinary action is Motherwell’s Michael Higdon. He is alleged to have made a sign during his goal celebration to Well fans during who had been giving him stick earlier in the match.

Former Rangers midfielder Stephen Hughes is joining Aberdeen today on trial after leaving Norwich in November. He had a short-lived spell at Motherwell which didn’t work out and now he has a week to impress Craig Brown. (Record)

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