The Rumour Mill: Wednesday’s football news and gossip

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has been talking up Polish defender Jaroslaw Fojut, who signed for the Parkhead club on a pre-contract deal yesterday. Lennon said the 24-year-old, who has had spells with Bolton, Luton and Stockport, is “strong, technically good, quick and very good in the air”. He added: “We did a bit of homework on him and I think he’s been in excellent form for his club this year and is on the verge of international recognition.” (Various)

The Parkhead club could seek to negotiate an early release for Fojut in the hope of securing a bargain before the end of January, while midfield trialist Rabiu Ibrahim could also join in the next few days. (Mail)

Southampton have offered to treble Gary Hooper’s £12,000-a-week wages as they made a third bid for the Celtic striker. The Championship leaders have tabled a take-it-or-leave-it £6million bid after having two previous offers rejected, and hope the lucrative salary will persuade the player to change his mind. (Record)

Celtic target Jay Boothroyd has said he is not interested in a January move away from QPR. The SPL leaders were reportedly monitoring the striker after holding talks with his representatives last summer, but Boothroyd says he wants to be successful under new manager Mark Hughes. (Express)

That could mean that Celtic turn their attention to other attacking options. Former Hearts striker Ricardo Fuller, currently at Stoke City, may be available on a loan deal, while the Parkhead club could send a scout, along with rivals Rangers, to watch Dutch side VVV’s Nigerian Michael Uchebo. (Express)

Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster has told the club there’s no rush to agree a new contract. Forster, on loan from Newcastle until the end of the season, said he is content to leave talks until the summer. (Express)

Rangers look set to win the race to sign Swedish under-21 striker Mervan Celik and could finalise a deal by the end of the week. The out-of-contract GAIS youngster, who will cost around £350,000 in compensation, has been offered a lucrative deal by Ibrox boss Ally McCoist. (Express)

Rapid Vienna striker Hamdi Salihi, a target for both Old Firm clubs, has been told by his manager he can leave in the transfer window. The Albanian striker is out of contract in the summer, but his boss Peter Schottel claims his mind has not been on the job. He added: “Celtic and Rangers have yet to make any request for him.” (Sun)

David Weir will seek to extend his playing career in English football after announcing his decision to leave Rangers at the end of this week. Five years after joining the Ibrox club in what was initially intended to be a five-month stint, the 41-year-old central defender has agreed an early termination of his contract after being unable to secure a first-team place this season. (Scotsman)

The Scottish Premier League last night began formal disciplinary proceedings against Hearts despite the insistence of the Tynecastle club they are not in breach of an order to pay their players on time this month. The governing body and Hearts found themselves firmly at odds with each other during a day of claim and counter-claim as the long-running saga over late payment of salaries to first-team squad members dragged on. Read the story in full. (Scotsman)

Calum Elliot will fly out to Lithuania tomorrow to sign for Zalgiris Vilnius on a two-year deal. The 24-year-old is a free agent after leaving Hearts at the start of the month. (Scotsman)

Hibernian have taken Arsenal youngster Rhys Murphy on trial after former Aberdeen striker Chris Maguire turned down a loan move to Easter Road. The 21-year-old is one of three players, including two French players, that Pat Fenlon is running the rule over. (Express)

Slovak striker Milos Lacny is set for a trial at Dundee United. The 23-year-old, who is currently with Sparta Prague but was loaned out to Slovan Bratislava last term, has had two previous trials with Celtic. Meanwhile, Dundee United are unlikely to offer Danny Swanson a new deal. (Sun)

IN BRIEF

• Glasgow City Council have given their blessing for Rangers and Celtic to explore the option of safe-standing areas.

• Forgotten Celtic player Josh Thompson is being chased by League One clubs Wycombe and Chesterfield.

• Hamilton have released midfielder Paul Currie just five months after signing him from Berwick.

• Crystal Palace are keen on Falkirk striker Farid El Alagui.

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