The Rumour Mill: Tuesday’s football news and gossip

Celtic eye Leeds youngster

Celtic have been linked with highly-rated Leeds United youngster Aidan White, 20. The Republic of Ireland under-21 player is out-of-contract and talks on a new deal at Elland Road have stalled, with Premier League clubs Norwich and Newcastle also interested. (Record)

• On-loan goalkeeper Fraser Forster will decide this week if he is to join Celtic on a permanent basis. (Various)

McFadden knocks back Dons

James McFadden has rejected a second approach from Aberdeen boss Craig Brown, saying that he wants to remain in England. The Scotland international was released by Everton at the end of the season. (Various)

Rangers takeover

• Manchester-based businessman Mike McDonald is to pull out of Charles Green’s proposed Rangers takeover consortium, citing the club’s 12-month transfer embargo as an obstacle to his plans to profit from future player sales. (Record)

• SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster fails to understand why a huge distinction is being made between a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) and ‘newco’ exit from administration for Rangers. Speaking at Hampden he said: “There is certainly a distinction between a CVA and a newco. But newcos have been allowed within UK football for many years. Newco is typically the way that businesses in general escape from administration, it is far more common than a CVA route. So I am not entirely sure why such a distinction is drawn between the two routes out of administration. You achieve a sporting advantage over other clubs by going into administration, therefore you should receive a sporting penalty for going into administration in the first place.”

• Mark Hateley fears former Rangers strike partner Ally McCoist will suffer an exodus of leading players this summer. He said: “I’m of the belief that as top pros you are always trying to make yourself the best you can be before your short career is over. Top players are always looking to become better and McGregor, Davis, Naismith and Whittaker are all top players. The question will be asked by their advisors – is staying at Rangers going to make you a better player?” (Various)

Calls for Hearts to keep Sergio

• Former Hearts chairman Leslie Deans has urged Vladimir Romanov and Paulo Sergio to sit down and resolve the impasse that could see the Scottish Cup winning manager’s spell at Tynecastle end after only eight months. “All he [Sergio] wants is an opportunity to sit down and secure his own future, and be allowed to plan for next season,” said Deans. “When you have a diamond as we have in Paulo, you should be doing what you can to sort out his future. (Scotsman)

• David Southern, the Hearts chief executive, said: “The club want to keep Paulo Sergio. We hope he chooses to stay as the Heart of Midlothian manager, and we’ll find out in hopefully not too long a period.” (Scotsman)

• Hearts have announced the departures of Stephen Elliott, Gary Glen and Jordan Morton after they were told they would not be offered new deals when their contracts expire in the coming weeks. (Various)

Misconduct charge for Fenlon

Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon’s Scottish Cup Final misery has been compounded by an SFA misconduct charge which is likely to see him receive a touchline ban of at least two matches. SFA Compliance Officer Vincent Lunny issued a notice of complaint against Fenlon for the offensive hand gesture he made in the closing minutes of the match. (Various)

• James McPake, who captained Hibs during his loan spell at Hibs, was yesterday called up by Northern Ireland for their friendly against the Netherlands. (Various)

• Four of Scotland’s five 2014 World Cup qualifying away games will be screened live by BBC Scotland, with the fifth match in Wales likely to be shown on Sky Sports. BBC will provide live coverage from the match away to Belgium on 16 October this year, and next year against Serbia (26 March), Croatia (7 June) and Macedonia (10 September). (Various)

Snodgrass eyes Leeds exit

Robert Snodgrass has cast fresh doubt on his future at Leeds United after revealing he is sceptical about promises being made to him about the future of the club by chairman Ken Bates. The Scotland international has a year left on his existing contract at Elland Road and admits he may have to consider a move elsewhere to maximise his chances of featuring regularly for his country in the forthcoming 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign. (Scotsman)

• Charlie Mulgrew has backed former Celtic team-mate Shaun Maloney to make as big an impact with Scotland as he has with Wigan. The Celtic player said: “Of course he can make an impact here – he is a top quality player. We have seen him do it in the Premier League at the highest level so I’m sure he can made an impact for Scotland.” (Various)

IN BRIEF

• Kilmarnock will hold a media conference this afternoon, when they are expected to announce a new contract for manager Kenny Shiels. (Various)

• Derek Riordan says he has “a few offers” from English clubs as he prepares to leave St Johnstone after a short-term deal. (Express)

• Motherwell midfielder Keith Lasley is close to agreeing a new two-year contract. (Record)

• Dundee trio Jamie McCluskey, Kevin McBride and Neil McGregor have signed new deals with the club as manager Barry Smith prepares for next season’s promotion push. (Scotsman)