Rangers rival Rotherham in 4th bid for Scott Allan

Rangers and Rotherham target Scott Allan. Picture: Ian Rutherford

A bid of £375,000 from the English Championship club was turned down by Hibs for Allan who has a year remaining on his contract at Easter Road.

Rotherham are expected to return with a higher offer for Allan, although it is understood the player is not keen on a move to the South Yorkshire outfit.

The 23-year-old’s heart remains set on joining Rangers but Hibs remain resolute in their publicly stated determination not to sell him to their main rivals for the Scottish Championship title this season.

Manager Mark Warburton confirmed yesterday that Rangers had made a third bid for Allan, believed to be in the region of £280,000, which was rejected by Hibs this week. Previous offers of £175,000 and £225,000 were rebuffed.

Warburton says a further offer is in the hands of the Rangers board and it is believed they will continue to try to force a change of heart by Hibs.

“Another bid went in and has been rejected,” said Warburton. “As far as I’m aware, that’s the situation. It’s up to the powers that be.

“He’s not my player. I’m not avoiding the question, but he’s not my player and it is disrespectful to speak about other players.”

Rotherham manager Steve Evans expressed his surprise at the public nature of the Allan transfer saga but also made it clear his interest in the player had not been ended.

“Any transfer business we do will remain confidential between the clubs,” said Evans. “From a distance, one wonders why news of clubs bidding and not bidding gets out. We will not do that. We will deal directly with Hibernian should we pursue any interest in Scott Allan.”

Warburton, meanwhile, confirmed that he expects Rangers to make further signings before the transfer window closes at the end of the month. Former Derby County midfielder John Eustace continues to train at the club with a view to a move.

“It is still bubbling along on certain things,” said Warburton. “Things take time. There are English clubs still away on tour and waiting to come back.

“John is training well. He is with the first-team group now, which is a positive step.”

Striker Callum Gallagher moved to St Mirren this week and Warburton confirmed there could be other departures. “Possibly, the loan market is important to us both ways,” he said. “There seems to be a lot of kudos to sitting on the bench at some clubs – playing five minutes one game, not playing the next two, then eight minutes the next.

“But you are not developing that way. When you get your chance eight weeks down the road, you are not match fit. Our job is to make sure young players continue their development by going out to play football.”