The Rumour Mill: Thursday’s football news and gossip

Everton linked with Rangers bargains

Everton could launch a raid on Rangers for their cut-price stars, after it emerged that manager David Moyes has held discussions with Nikica Jelavic and former Ibrox skipper Davie Weir about their former team-mates. The Croatian striker has reportedly urged Moyes to reunited him with Steven Naismith when the transfer window opens on June 1. (Record)

• Allan McGregor insists he has no plans to quit Ibrox for a knockdown fee. When asked if he’ll be staying with Rangers, the goalkeeper said: “I hope so. I’ve always said that. I’m trying to stay positive and hopefully something can get done sooner rather than later.” (Express)

Hooper to ask for wage rise

Gary Hooper is expected to demand a bumper pay rise from Celtic in the summer. The striker currently earns up to £15,000 a week less than players such as captain Scott Brown and Joe Ledley. Southampton are understood to be preparing a fresh £7million bid for the Englishman. (Sun)

• Emilio Izaguirre has revealed that he would be happy to stay at Celtic for the rest of his career. Despite rumours of interest from Manchester United, who are on the market for a left-back as cover for Patrice Evra, the Honduran defender said: “I am staying with Celtic until they tell me they don’t need me. I feel very happy in Glasgow.” (Record)

• Craig Gordon has cooled talk of a summer move to Celtic by insisting he would prefer to remain in the English Premier League. The out-of-favour Sunderland goalkeeper, whose contract at the Stadium of Light expires next month, said: “There’s nothing going on (with Celtic) at the moment but I am just waiting to see what my options are and take it from there. It’s a case of waiting to see over the summer. I’m out of contract now so it’s about seeing what offers come in and picking the best one from there, really. I could stay in England or a move to Europe could appeal. I am open to any offer. I would love to stay in the English Premier League but if that happens or not, if it’s the best deal for me, time will tell.” (Scotsman)

Rangers lose appeal over SFA sanctions

Rangers have lost their appeal against the 12-month transfer embargo and £160,000 in fines imposed on the Ibrox club by an SFA Judicial Panel for a series of disciplinary rule breaches under Craig Whyte’s ownership. A three-man Appellate Tribunal, chaired by Supreme Court judge Lord Carloway, announced their decision just before 11pm last night to uphold the original decision, despite the legal argument put forward on behalf of Rangers by leading QC Richard Keen. (Scotsman)

• Rangers responded with a statement which made it clear they are not prepared to let the matter rest. Paul Clark, of club administrators Duff and Phelps, said: “The decision by the appellate tribunal to uphold the sanction, namely the suspension of registration of players for one year, is not competent in the view of the club and its legal advisers. Such a sanction was not available to the tribunal and should not have been imposed and it is the intention of the club to challenge the determination.” (Various)

Cup final countdown

• Former Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who will be a studio analyst for Sky Sports, has revealed that he would love to be playing on Saturday. “I’d certainly much rather be playing,” said the 29-year-old. “I’d love to be out there. It will be more nerve wracking for me in the studio. There’s nothing I can do to influence the game.” (Scotsman)

• Hibs forward Leigh Griffiths hopes to complete a remarkable journey from villain to hero against Hearts, insisting a goal in the Scottish Cup final would be the proudest moment of his life. The 21-year-old said: “I missed the birth of my two kids, I was down at Wolves, so this win would be the proudest moment of my life. If I can score the winner, or play any part in the goal that wins the game, it would be incredible.” (Scotsman)

• Hearts coach Gary Locke underlined the fear of losing for both sides by joking about his plans for the summer: “I’ve got two holidays booked – Turkey and Siberia. Everybody at both clubs knows what it means to the fans and to the people of Edinburgh, so there’s a wee bit of added pressure that it’s a Hearts-Hibs final. You can’t get away from it. Everywhere you go you bump into people, whether it’s Hearts or Hibs fans: one’s wanting you to win and the other is wanting you to get hammered. It’s a huge game for both clubs.” (Scotsman)

• Hibs legend Pat Stanton would not experience a jot of envy if the current squad were to beat Hearts. “Not at all,” he said yesterday. “I’d be more than delighted for them and for the supporters who’ve had to stand it for years. Nobody would be more delighted than me to see them winning it. When you think of the great players – Joe Baker, Gordon Smith, Lawrie Reilly, Eddie Turnbull, Peter Cormack – and it just didn’t happen. Didn’t happen. We had our chances – and it’s down to the players. It’s not the manager’s fault.” (Scotsman)

Dalglish exits Liverpool

Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish’s second stint in charge of Liverpool was ended by the club’s American owners yesterday just 15 months after he took the job. The Anfield great paid the price for his side’s worst Premier League finish for almost 20 years, although Dalglish did guide Liverpool to a Carling Cup triumph and the FA Cup final. (Various)

IN BRIEF

• St Johnstone boss Steve Lomas has offered a new contract to 19-year-old striker Stevie May. (Express)

• Kilmarnock could be set to make a move for St Mirren pair Nigel Hasselbaink and Jeroen Tesselaar, who have both rejected new offers from the Buddies. (Mail)

• Several of Dunfermline’s out-of-contract players will learn today if they are to be offered new deals after the club was relegated from the SPL. (Herald)

• Ross County have beaten off SPL competition to retain defender Scott Boyd on a new deal. (Express)

• Raith Rovers have completed the signing of full-back Eddie Malone from Ayr United. (Express)