The Rumour Mill: Thursday’s football news and gossip

Sochaux have made a further attempt to recruit Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu. The French club have lodged a second bid for the United States international after failing with a previous offer, reported to be in the region of £500,000. Sochaux assistant coach Stephane Gilli said: “We need an answer quickly. Our chairman has spoken to Rangers’ chairman [Craig Whyte]. Obviously we want the player, but it’s up to Rangers. We think he is a quality player. We need him and we need him quickly.” (Scotsman)

The tabloids have varying versions of the Edu story this morning. The Mail and Express both report that Rangers yesterday rejected a £1million offer for the player, the Record claims Sochaux will today up their bid to £2million and the Sun’s take on it is that the Ibrox club have actively encouraged a further bid - without manager Ally McCoist’s knowledge.

Rangers target Javi Guerra says the speculation surrounding him is “motivating”. The prolific Real Valladolid striker said: “I have known of Rangers’ interest, even from last year. And yesterday I spoke to my agent who confirmed it. If such a team is interested in you, then that is important to me and I appreciate it. But they must make a bid first and it has to be one that the club value. I like the idea of their interest in me because it is very motivating for me. But I am still here and I remain very comfortable at this club too.” (Scotsman)

Valladolid president Carlos Suarez insists only an offer of around £2.5million would tempt them to sell Guerra to Rangers. He added that he hadn’t spoken to any of the Rangers directors. (Record)

Fleetwood boss Micky Mellon has told Rangers and Celtic they can forget any hopes of signing striker Jamie Vardy - who has scored 20 times in 22 games in the Blue Square Premier this season - this month, after knocking back a bid of £750,000 from local rivals Blackpool. Ibrox scout John Brown reportedly watched the player in action as he scored two in Fleetwood’s 4-1 win over Barrow on Tuesday. (Sun)

Icelandic winger Ingolfur Sigurdsson has been told to bulk up to make it at Celtic. Former Iceland coach Olafur Johanesson warned the 18-year-old, who is currently on trial at Lennoxtown, is “very talented” but Celtic would have to “work hard to build him up”. (Sun)

Celtic target Rafik Halliche has been told he can quit Fulham this month. The Algerian defender spent a week on trial with the Parkhead side before Christmas and the Premiership club’s willingness to do business could prompt a nominal offer from the SPL title chasers. (Express)

Hearts have avoided disciplinary action from the Scottish Premier League after meeting the conditions laid down last week over payments to players. The SPL ruled at a meeting on 4 January that the Tynecastle club had a week to pay playing staff their overdue December salaries, along with interest for that month and on the previous two months’ pay, which was also paid late. Although the league was last night still awaiting formal confirmation from lawyers that everything had been done, an SPL spokesperson said they were content that their conditions had been met. “Everything is up to date, including the interest payments,” the spokesperson said. “Everything is in order.” (Various)

Cardiff City are reportedly preparing a move for Hearts winger David Templeton after having had the 23-year-old watched on several occasions. While boss Malky Mackay will have a representative at Tynecastle again this weekend, the Gorgie club are determined not to let the highly-rated prospect go on the cheap. (Sun)

Hearts defender Danny Grainger will be out of action for a month due to the recurrence of a groin problem. The left-back aggravated the injury during the Scottish Cup win over Auchinleck Talbot. (Express)

Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels will hold further talks with Derek Riordan tomorrow as he bids to convince the striker of the potential long-term merit of a short-term return to the SPL. Former Hibs and Celtic player Riordan turned out for Kilmarnock in a closed-door friendly against Rangers at Murray Park on Tuesday as he considers his next move after the termination of his contract with Chinese club Shaanxi Chanba in November. Meanwhile, manager’s son Dean Shiels has taken a reduction in salary of almost a third in order to terminate his contract with Doncaster Rovers and extend his stay as a Kilmarnock player until at least the end of this season. (Scotsman)

Hibernian striker Leigh Griffiths will face a Fast Track Tribunal at Hampden today after the club surprisingly turned down the offer of a one-match suspension for an offensive gesture the player is charged with making last Saturday. (Various)

Dundee United have launched a £25,000 bid for Hamilton midfielder Dougie Imrie after securing the signature of Ross County’s Michael Gardyne. Tannadice boss Peter Houston wants to land the playmaker before the transfer window closes and has been told he can use some of the money netted from the sale of Scott Allan to West Brom. (Express)

Aberdeen boss Craig Brown insists Scott Vernon is as important to the club as Nikica Jelavic is to Rangers. Top scorer Vernon and Andrew Considine both signed new contracts yesterday. (Various)

Following the loan signing of Preston North End goalkeeper Iain Turner until the end of the season, Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston has promised that further reinforcements are on the way as the Pars seek to escape the SPL drop zone. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• St Johnstone boss Steve Lomas is eyeing former Falkirk pair Jack Compton and Alan Gow as he prepares for the possible exit of Fran Sandaza.

• Dundee United boss Peter Houston is facing a two-match SFA ban for criticising the referee after the home defeat to Aberdeen on January 2.

• Falkirk have signed former Dunfermline striker Jordan White, 19, on an 18-month contract.

• Alloa defender Fraser Forrest has been advised to retire from the game due to a back injury.

• Elgin City have signed 19-year-old centre-half Mark Durnan from St Johnstone until the end of the season.

• Montrose have signed East Fife midfielder Lloyd Young after a month-long loan spell.

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