Rumour Mill: Rangers | Aberdeen axe | Motherwell

Aberdeen axe 13 players from the first-team squad while Rangers try to rebuild theirs, with Nicky Clark, Nicky Law, Jon Daly among those locked in talks at Ibrox

Derek McInnes: Aberdeen clearout. Picture: Ian Rutherford/TSPL

Aberdeen axe 13 players as Derek McInnes orders clearout

Thirteen players have been told that their futures lie away from Pittodrie as Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes seeks to rebuild his squad.

Gavin Rae and Gary Naysmith are the highet-profile casualties of the cull.

Isaac Osbourne, Rob Milsom, Rory Fallon, whose deals expire this summer, have been told to find new clubs.

Stephen Hughes and Jordan Brown have 12 months left on their contracts but have been told to leave.

Mitch Megginson, Dan Twardzik, Scott MacAuley, Zach Szemis, Stuart Close and Jamie Hamilton will also depart.

McInnes has offered new terms to Josh Magennis, and is plotting a swoop for Dundee United’s Willo Flood.

McInnes said: “It is one of the least enjoyable aspects of the job to tell players they won’t be staying.

“I would like to thank all of them for their contribution to the football club. Each of them are excellent professionals and we wish them all the very best.” (The Sun)

Ally McCoist looks to capture four players

Rangers are in talks to sign as many as four players as they prepare for the next season. Ally McCoist is expected to announce the signing of Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell within the next few days, while Queen of the South striker, and SPL duo Jon Daly and Nicky Law are also in talks with the club.

Rangers faces competition for the signatures of all three, and financial pressures have led McCoist to seek assurances from chief executive Craig Mather that the club has the financial muscle to meet their contract demands.

Honduran international Arnold Peralta has also been approached by the club.

McCoist will likely ditch big-money signings such as Dorin Goian and Carlos Bocanegra to further balance the books, while squad players Sebastian Faure and Anestis Argyrious may be ditched. (The Sun, Daily Express)

Stuart McCall may be allowed to leave Motherwell

Motherwell chief executive Leann Dempster has admitted that Stuart McCall, yesterday awarded the SPL’s manager of the year award, may be tempted away from the club.

McCall, who drove Motherwell to second place and another European excursion, has recently signed a two-year extension to his deal at Fir Park.

But Dempster, acknowledging McCall’s heightened profile, said: “Someone absolutely will come in for him because he’s a great manager. He’s a great person and he’ll continue to be a great manager in years to come.

“Our supporters realise the way our club operates means we can get access to up and coming players - and up and coming managers.

“We give them a profile and a platform. It’s a great environment for any player or manager.

“Inevitably he’ll move onto other things. We have to live within the sphere of what we can achieve financially. There will come a point where managers will have earned the right to move on.” (Daily Record)

IN BRIEF

• Former Scotland captain Barry Ferguson has been offered a take-it-or-leave-it contract by Blackpool manager Paul Ince. Kirk Broadfoot, another former Rangers player, has also been offered new terms at the club.

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