The Rumour Mill: Thursday’s football news and gossip

Takeover consortium’s frustration with Hearts

A consortium of businessmen that includes two London-based financiers, two Edinburgh businessmen and a well-known former footballer has been thwarted at every turn in their attempt to buy Hearts by current owner Vladimir Romanov, it has been claimed. The group say they are being expected to submit a “blind” bid without having access to Hearts’ accounts and paperwork. (Herald)

• Steve Cardownie, the SNP’s leader in the Edinburgh City Council and the man who brokered the deal to bring Vladimir Romanov to Hearts, has defended the Lithuanian owner’s impact on the club. While he insisted Romanov was in the wrong in the wages dispute, Cardownie said: “If he hadn’t taken over we’d be in the First Division by now and playing at Murrayfield because Tynecastle would have been sold.” (Record)

• Hearts have reportedly hired an agent to alert clubs in England that 14 of their first-team squad are available for transfer. (Express)

O’Neill joins the queue for Jelavic

Martin O’Neill is considering a January move for in-demand Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic. The new Sunderland manager is desperate to bolster his attacking options and the Croatian forward is understood to be high on his list of targets. The former Celtic boss will have to decide whether he wants to spend the majority of his £10million transfer kitty on one player. West Brom and Liverpool have also been linked with the 26-year-old. (Mail)

• Thomas Bendiksen has revealed he is edging towards signing a new contract at Rangers. The Norwegian said: “With the way the situation has been in the past few weeks I increasingly want to stay here.” (Record)

Celtic boss relaxed over chanting

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has expressed his confidence that the club’s travelling support will do nothing to further damage the club’s European reputation in Italy tonight. (Various)

• Udinese are likely to rest star striker Antonio Di Natale for tonight’s match with Celtic. (Various)

Dundee United agree fee for Allan

Dundee United last night agreed a deal worth in the region of £400,000 to take midfielder Scott Allan to West Brom. It is now up to the 20-year-old to decide whether he wants a move to the Premiership or hold out for the Old Firm to make a move. (Scotsman)

Naismith ‘shocked’ by Fletcher news

News that Darren Fletcher needs an indefinite break from football has put his own lengthy absence into perspective, Steven Naismith said yesterday. “I sent him a text because, like most people, I saw it all break on TV on Tuesday,” the Rangers attacker said. “I was shocked and I just wanted to wish him all the best. It was typical of Darren because he was more interested in how I was doing. That sums him up.” (Scotsman)

Fenlon rules out Hibs trialists

Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon will not be pursuing his interest in the two trialists he had at the club last week. An un-named goalkeeper and former Sligo Rovers left-back Iarfhlaith Davoren featured in a training-ground friendly against Celtic. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• New Bristol City boss Derek McInnes aims to raid former club St Johnstone for striker Francisco Sandaza, with Rangers and Celtic also interested in the Spaniard. (Various)

• Charlton are reportedly keen to sign Dundee United defender Garry Kenneth, who has said he will not stay on at Tannadice. (Sun)

• Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has made it clear Steven Fletcher is not for sale despite his headline-hitting form. (Scotsman)

• Spanish outfit Hercules could be set to make a move for Brighton’s Scotland striker Craig Mackail-Smith. (Various)

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