The Rumour Mill: Wednesday’s football transfer news and gossip

Rangers newco latest

• St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour signalled that his club could change their mind on voting no to a newco Rangers in the SPL. He is concerned he may be breaking a law in the Companies Act which decrees that directors must promote the best interests of the company they act for. (Record)

• Everton have completed the free transfer of former Rangers striker Steven Naismith after he terminated his contract with the Ibrox side, having rejected the chance to move over to the newco club. (Various)

• Charles Green has written to Norwich, Stoke, Sion and Coventry threatening to take them all to court after they snapped up contract rebels Steven Whittaker, Jamie Ness, Kyle Lafferty and John Fleck respectively. (Record)

• Former Rangers player John Brown has accused Green of selling out to Celtic in a quest to secure SPL football at Ibrox. Brown claims a points deduction and acceptance of a transfer embargo plays into the hands of Celtic. (Mail)

• Motherwell boss - and former Rangers player - Stuart McCall has voiced his concerns about an SPL without Rangers: “In total, 36 per cent of Motherwell’s revenue last season came from broadcasting. If you take away the TV income and add it to the fact that Rangers won’t be in the SPL then it’s going to be difficult for a lot of clubs to survive.” (Record)

• SFA chief executive Stewart Regan has denied a claim he would seek to block any deal struck by the SPL to allow newco Rangers to take their place in the top flight next season. (Scotsman)

• Raith Rovers chairman Turnbull Hutton said after yesterday’s SFL meeting: “In essence, the SPL is like a dead parrot. It’s financially unsustainable. So it’s hardly up to the First Division to sustain that.” (Scotsman)

Man City starlet targeted by Celtic

Celtic are being linked with a loan move for Manchester City youngster Mohammed Abu, who has just ended a loan spell in Norway with Stromsgodset. The Premier League champions want to farm out the 20-year-old again this season to a bigger club, but Neil Lennon could face competition from Belgian outfit Anderlecht. (Record)

Hibs won’t overlook homegrown talent

Pat Fenlon has insisted he won’t overlook home-grown talent as his plans to rebuild his Hibs squad begin to gather pace. The Easter Road boss said: “It’s not just going out to sign players, we want to get the right ones, the ones that are good about the place, who have the right attitude and desire on and off the pitch, guys who can help the young lads.” (Scotsman)

• Leigh Griffiths has hinted on Twitter that he would be open to a move back to Hibs. He wrote: “If it didn’t work out at Wolves then would need to consider coming back. I’d like to wear the green and white again, Hibs are in my blood.” (Sun)

McGlynn content with Hearts coaching team

Manager John McGlynn has welcomed Edgaras Jankauskas to Hearts and insisted that the Tynecastle club now have the coaching staff in place to take them forward. The Lithuanian, a former striker with Hearts, was confirmed as assistant manager to McGlynn last night, and will join Gary Locke and Darren Murray as part of the backroom staff. (Scotsman)

• Former Livingston striker Rory Boulding is training with Hearts and hopes to become McGlynn’s first signing. (Mail)

Murray named as new Raith boss

Veteran defender Grant Murray has been confirmed player/manager at Raith Rovers, replacing the departed John McGlynn at the Kirkcaldy outfit. Rovers also announced that Stark’s Park stalwart Laurie Ellis, 32, will take up a new post, combining his playing role with a position as first-team coach and McGlynn’s assistant at Raith, Paul Smith, who has been acting as interim manager will continue as Murray’s No 2. (Various)

IN BRIEF

• Queen’s Park striker Paul McGinn could miss out on a move to Aberdeen after picking up a knee injury which requires surgery. (Record)

• Aberdeen and Hibs have missed out on signing former Hamilton goalkeeper Tomas Cerny after he joined CSKA Sofia. (Mail)

• Falkirk boss Steven Pressley has agreed a deal with winger Jack Compton to rip up the remaining year of his contract. (Mail)

• Arbroath have fought off interest from Airdrie and Queen of the South to sign striker Derek Holmes, 33. (Record)

• Lee Croft has chosen to join Oldham rather than return to St Johnstone on loan. (Express)