The Rumour Mill: Thursday’s football news and gossip

In the Rumour Mill today: McCulloch learns outcome of red-card appeal; Fenlon eyes new faces for Hibs; Celtic told to increase offer for Diawara and the rest of the day’s football news and gossip

McCulloch to hear outcome of red-card appeal

Rangers midfielder Lee McCulloch will today learn if he has been successful in appealing his red card against St Mirren on Christmas Eve. McCulloch was sent off during the first half for violent conduct, after catching St Mirren midfielder Graham Carey with his elbow. Rangers were leading 1-0 when McCulloch was red-carded, and eventually lost the game 2-1, with manager Ally McCoist feeling the dismissal was ‘harsh.’ Controversially, the Ibrox side’s appeal meant McCulloch was free to play in the Old Firm derby on December 28 but the club denied it was trying to exploit a ‘loophole’ in the system. (Scotsman)

Fenlon keen to add new faces to struggling Hibs

Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon has been linked with no fewer than five players as he bids to turn the Easter Road side’s season around. Whilst Lithuanian midfielder Mindaugas Kalonas is currently on trial with the club, Fenlon has also admitted interest in former Livingston defender James McPake, currently at Coventry, who has denied submitting a transfer request despite manager Andy Thorn claiming the opposite. Hartlepool right back Neil Austin, Celtic fullback Andre Blackman, and most recently, former Rangers and Motherwell midfielder Stephen Hughes are also on Fenlon’s radar as he looks to improve his side before this Saturday’s Scottish Cup clash with Cowdenbeath. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Graham Stack has been ruled out for up to ten days with a calf injury, with Mark Brown expected to return to the starting lineup on Saturday. (Scotsman/various)

Celtic told to offer more money for Diawara

Long-time Celtic target Baba Diawara, currently at Maritimo, has been valued at £6 million - almost £3 million more than the Parkhead side have offered. The Senegalese striker, who has taken his tally to 13 goals so far this season, is interesting a number of clubs, with Bundesliga side Stuttgart having already offered £5 million. Celtic, who were keen to add Diawara to their squad during this transfer window have been told that their offer of £3.25 million falls drastically short of the Portuguese side’s valuation of the striker. Wealthy Chinese side Beijing Guoan have also entered the bidding war, which could end Celtic’s interest in the player. (Daily Express)

Jelavic states loyalty whilst Novo rules out return to Ibrox

Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic has stated his loyalty to the club following reported interest from Liverpool. The Croatian striker, who has scored 32 goals in 43 games since arriving from Rapid Vienna in 2010, has been linked with a number of high-profile moves away from Rangers, with West Bromwich Albion and QPR said to be tracking Jelavic. Meanwhile, former Ibrox favourite Nacho Novo has ruled out a return to Glasgow, stressing his intention to win a new deal with Sporting Gijon. (various)

Sandaza looks for a move to a bigger stage

St Johnstone striker Francisco Sandaza has turned down a ‘very generous offer’ from St Johnstone, in a bid to win a move to a bigger club. The Perth club had offered Sandaza a contract extension earlier this week. The former Dundee United frontman has forged an impressive partnership with Cillian Sheridan at McDiarmid Park this season, but the player’s agent confirmed contact with clubs in Scotland, England, Spain and America about potential moves for the Spaniard. (Herald)

In brief:

• St Johnstone defender Graham Gartland looks set to join Morton, after falling out of favour at McDiarmid Park. Gartland has found first team opportunities limited this season and manager Steve Lomas is happy for the player to make a move in order to get first-team football. (Express)

• Former Hearts striker Calum Elliot is set to try his luck in the United States. Elliot, who was latterly on loan at Dundee, is looking for a club in America, where he believes the climate will be beneficial for his troublesome knee. (Herald)

• Hibs have allowed East Stirlingshire to keep on-loan goalkeeper Calum Antell until the end of the season. Antell was initially on a short-term deal with the Third Division side but impressed enough for John Coughlin to seek an extension to the Welshman’s loan. (Express)

• Motherwell have confirmed the signing of Estonian forward Henrik Ojamaa. The 20-year-old has agreed a deal until the end of the season, after impressing during two trial spells at Fir Park following his release from Finnish side Rovaniemen Palloseura. (various)

• Aberdeen have opened talks with Icelandic midfielder Kari Arnason, in a bid to extend the player’s contract. Manager Craig Brown is keen to keep the former Plymouth Argyle midfielder, but admitted the club’s wage structure wouldn’t be distorted to keep Arnason at Pittodrie. (various)

• On-loan Celtic defender Badr El-Kaddouri has left the club, and travelled with Morocco to the African Cup of Nations. El-Kaddouri, signed on loan from Dynamo Kiev, started five games for Celtic, scoring once in the club’s 4-2 defeat to rivals Rangers in September.

• Dunfermline are attempting to lure Raith Rovers striker John Baird to East End Park. The club have approached Raith on two previous occasions, but are keen to sign the forward in a bid to add firepower to the squad. (Express)

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