The Rumour Mill: Wednesday’s football news and gossip

Kayal extends Celtic deal

Israel midfielder Beram Kayal insists he never considered leaving Celtic despite summer transfer speculation as he vowed to recapture his form following the completion of his contract negotiations. Kayal yesterday signed an improved deal that ties him to Celtic Park until summer 2015, a year beyond the contract he signed when he joined from Maccabi Haifa last summer. (Scotsman)

• Kayal is relishing the possibility of playing Sion again, if the Swiss club are reinstated in the Europa League. He said: “We have a good team and we want to win every game in the Europa League. I think we’re able to do that now.” (Sun)

McIntyre pushes Rangers’ frozen assets to £3m

The former finance director of Rangers spoke of his “concern” for the club yesterday, after winning a court order to freeze £300,000 of its assets. The ruling takes to more than £3 million the amount which has been ringfenced as security to cover claims against Rangers by the taxman and two members of the Ibrox board who have left since a takeover by Craig Whyte earlier this year. (Scotsman)

• Rangers owner Craig Whyte has claimed that John Greig’s resignation was a complete surprise and insists the club legend will always be welcome at Ibrox. (Express)

Rangers freeze out BBC

Rangers last night insisted that their decision to halt “all co-operation” with the BBC for a second time this season was not due to the content of a documentary on the Ibrox club to be aired in Scotland by the corporation tomorrow night. (Scotsman)

McInnes set for City

Derek McInnes is expected to be named as the new manager of Bristol City today. The St Johnstone boss is set to sign a three-and-a-half year deal with the English club after Saints chairman Geoff Brown agreed a compensation package. (Record)

Petrie stands by Calderwood

Hibs released a statement yesterday on the club’s £900,000 losses, in which chairman Rod Petrie gave his backing to current manager Colin Calderwood. He talked of Calderwood having “stripped away the unworkable legacy saddled upon the manager by the previous incumbent”, by whom he meant John Hughes. (Scotsman)

Riordan’s China crisis

Derek Riordan’s future in China has been thrown into doubt after his own boss at Shaanxi Chanba. Gao Hongbo, the struggling club’s third manager this season - said: “I cannot understand why he is playing so badly. The way he is performing is not proportional to his ability.” (Sun)

McCormack and Rhodes in Levein’s plans

Craig Levein is happy to hear people complaining about the omission of one player or another from his Scotland squads. He says that only proves that there is strength in depth and that everyone now recognises an even greater value in playing for the country. (Scotsman)

McFadden feared injury could have ended career

New Everton signing James McFadden admits there was a point when he feared his career would be ended prematurely by a knee injury earlier this year. The Scotland international played his first match in 13 months when he had 45 minutes for Everton reserves against Sunderland yesterday. (Scotsman)

• Craig Levein has opened the door for a return to the Scotland squad for James McFadden if he regains full fitness at Everton. (Record)

IN BRIEF

• Hearts players have been told they will be paid before the end of the week after once again failing to receive their salaries on time. (Record)

• Craig Brown has urged the Aberdeen boss to splash out on new deals for midfield duo Kari Arnason and Isaac Osbourne. (Sun)

• Kilmarnock are hoping to keep Dean Shiels - son of boss Kenny - on loan until the end of the season, from Doncaster Rovers. (Sun)

• Dundee boss Barry Smith is still looking for a striker after insisting that fan favourite Leighton McIntosh is still too inexperienced. Craig Dargo had been given a trial but picked up an injury. (Sun)

• Former Aberdeen captain Derek Young is set to join Morton on a short-term deal. (Sun)

• Russell Latapy is set to make a sensational return to football at the age of 43 after Edinburgh City persuaded the former Hibs star to pull on his boots for a Scottish Cup tie against Irvine Meadow. (Record)

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