The Rumour Mill: Wednesday’s football news and gossip

In today’s Rumour Mill: Nikica Jelavic pursued by Baggies; Kenny Miller urges Steven Fletcher to return to Scotland set-up; Hearts players could invoke Fifa contract clause; plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

West Brom weigh up Jelavic bid

Premiership outfit West Brom are reportedly considering a cash plus player offer for Rangers hitman Nikica Jelavic. Baggies boss Roy Hodgson has evaluated the Croatian striker and is now weighing up a January bid that could include Scotland international Graham Dorrans as part of the package for the £9million-rated forward. (Express)

Miller supports Fletcher return

Scotland striker Kenny Miller wants Steven Fletcher to bury the hatchet with Craig Levein and return to the national side. “Steven made his stance,” Miller said. “He didn’t want to be considered for whatever reason. But we want our best players available.” (BBC)

Hearts players could leave for nothing

A number of senior Hearts players are reportedly considering quitting Tynecastle for nothing in January under a FIFA rule which allows players to walk away from a club if their contract has been breached by non-payment of wages. (Mail)

• Hearts have announced that academy director John Murray is to take on the role of director of football at Tynecastle ahead of what are expected to be major changes on the pitch for the Tynecastle outfit. (Scotsman)

Celtic ‘ideal’ for Brown

Scott Brown’s belief in what Neil Lennon is building at Celtic convinced him to extend his stay at the Parkhead club. Brown has stressed that quitting Parkhead was never something he seriously considered. “I have everything I want here really,” he said yesterday. “We are winning games and getting better and better, playing in front of 60,000 fans week in, week out. It is a great stadium and we have a great training ground, and we have a great manager as well. It’s ideal.” (Scotsman)

• Celtic full-back Badr El-Kaddouri’s stint in Glasgow could come to an end next month as St Etienne are to make a move for the Moroccan international. (Sun)

SPL crackdown on terrorist songs

Football clubs whose fans sing terrorist chants at matches could be fined, lose points, or be made to play games behind closed doors if they fail to tackle it, under new proposals. The Scottish Premier League’s amendments to its unacceptable conduct rules will be voted on by clubs later this month and could be introduced for the start of next season. (Scotsman)

Aluko ‘dive’ case set for tribunal

The Scottish Football Association’s fast track tribunal will decide tomorrow whether Sone Aluko should be punished for alleged simulation after Rangers rejected the offer of a two-match ban. (Various)

Calderwood’s Hibs regret

Colin Calderwood has spoken fully for the first time about being sacked by Hibernian and has admitted “I should have done better.” Calderwood was axed last month after little more than a year in charge at Hibs. (Scotsman)

• Another former Hibernian manager, John Hughes, has emerged as a candidate to take over at English League One side Hartlepool United. (Sun)

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