Rumour Mill: Gers reject Tavernier bid | Hibs throw out offer for midfield ace

James Tavernier is a target for former boss Mark Warburton at Nottingham Forest. Picture: John Devlin

Warburton fails with Tavernier bid

Former Rangers manager Mark Warburton has been rebuffed by the Ibrox club after making a bid to take full back James Tavernier to Nottingham Forest.

Warburton, who recently signed Hibs striker Jason Cummings, brought Tavernier to Rangers two years ago from Wigan and he was a mainstay as they won the Championship.

It is understood that Tavernier is one of the players Pedro Caixinha wants to offload and Preston North End were reportedly interested in him and colleague Rob Kiernan. A second bid from Forest for the full back is expected. (Scotland on Sunday)

Hibs reject McGinn bid

Hibs have knocked back a bid from Ipswich for star midfielder John McGinn.

According to reports, the Portman Road outfit made an offer - thought to be around £1 million - for the Scotland international last week, but Easter Road bosses knocked it back immediately.

It is understood Mick McCarthy’s offer fell well short of Neil Lennon’s valuation of McGinn, who won the Scottish Championship Player of the Year award last season. (Sunday Mail)

Hearts set to seal loan deal for City starlet

Hearts are believed to be in pole position in the race for highly-rated Manchester city left-back Ashley Smith-Brown.

The 21-year-old looks set to snub other offers in England in order to join the Tynecastle side on loan, with Hearts having held talks for weeks with their City counterparts.

Smith-Brown spent the 2016/17 season on loan with Dutch side NAC Breda, but could solve Hearts’ left-back issues. Faycal Rherras and Lennard Sowah have left while Hearts are also keen to offload Juwon Oshaniwa. (Scottish Sun)

Johnsen set for Hearts exit?

Meanwhile, striker Bjorn Johnsen could also be on his way out of Tynecastle after attracting interest following his debut for Norway.

The towering frontman has had something of a nomadic career, having played for eight different clubs already. (Scottish Sun)

Celtic have only won two in a row, claims King

Rangers chairman Dave King has claimed that Celtic will never win 10 league titles in a row - because he chooses to discount those won when the Ibrox club were not in the top flight.

King said: “Celtic have got two in a row at this point in time. So they need to win another eight to get to 10. I don’t think there’s any chance of them [winning eight] before we win another title.

“Celtic have got six league titles but the concept of nine-in-a-row is a competition between Rangers and Celtic. It’s irrelevant if Rangers are not there. So it’s a challenge among ourselves.” (Scotland on Sunday)

Onyekuru ‘sought advice over Celtic interest’

Peter Odemwingie has revealed that wanted man Henry Onyekuru sought his counsel as clubs started taking an interest in the Nigerian youngster.

Odemwingie, who scored 10 goals in 63 appearances for Nigeria, revealed that he had talked up a move to Celtic, adding: “I said if you want to play in the Premier League, coming to Scotland means you’re one step closer and people will easily send scouts to watch you there. And the work permit issue will be less difficult because it is still part of the UK.”

Onyekuru looks set to join Arsenal but West Ham are also interested in the Eupen forward. (Various)

Griffiths targeting 100 Celtic goals

Leigh Griffiths has set himself a personal target of 100 goals for Celtic - which would make him part of an elite club.

Fewer than 30 individuals have racked up 100 goals for Celtic and the last was John Hartson - 12 years ago. But Griffiths, currently on 85 strikes, believes he can become the 29th Celtic player to reach the milestone.

He said: “Getting 100 is something I want to do and hopefully if we get to the Champions League group stages, I can score and tick that off the list.” (Scotland on Sunday)

‘More signings on the way’, promises King

Rangers chairman Dave King has said that the Ibrox club are far from finished in the transfer market - despite having brought in eight new players this summer.

Bruno Alves, Daniel Candeias, Alfredo Morelos, Eduardo Herrera, Carlos Pena, Ryan Jack, Fabio Cardoso and Dalcio have all signed for the Gers but King believes more could join them.

He told Rangers TV: “At this point in time, we have delivered over 90% of the specific players [Caixinha] wants, and we have given them to him with another couple still coming in who are particularly identified.” (Rangers TV)

Pressley fears Hibs will outperform Hearts this season

Former Hearts captain Steven Pressley has admitted that Hibs could finish above their city rivals on their return to the Scottish Premiership.

When asked by Sky Sports if Hibs could finish above Hearts, Pressley conceded: “There is always that danger, no doubt about it. You always get a honeymoon period when you return to a league.

“Hibs seem to have good momentum, they have a manager that is high in demands and high in standards and certainly will be looking to finish in the top six.” (Sky Sports)

Dons ‘won’t sell McLean to Rangers’

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes has been reassured that Kenny McLean won’t be sold to Rangers, despite the Ibrox club seeking to raid Pittodrie for the second time this summer following the transfer of Ryan Jack.

But the Scottish Sun is reporting that McInnes turned down the chance to join Sunderland on the condition that his best players would not be sold this summer.

McInnes has already lost Jonny Hayes as well as Jack, and while the Dons have secured Ryan Christie on another loan deal and brought in Greg Tansey from Inverness Caledonian Thistle. (Scottish Sun)

Four clubs after Dillon

Former Dundee United captain Sean Dillon is attracting interest from four clubs.

The 33-year-old has spent the past week holding talks with Montrose, Arbroath, Forfar and Peterhead following his release from Tannadice. (Sunday Post)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Steven Anderson has been ruled out of St Johnstone’s European clash with FK Trakai. Anderson will be out for over a month with a damaged knee

• Rangers and Scotland Youth goalie Robbie McCrorie has joined Berwick Rangers on a season-long loan deal

• Scotland Women have resolved their dispute with the SFA, which reportedly stemmed from issues involving appearance money

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Rumour Mill: Gers reject Tavernier bid | Hibs throw out offer for midfield ace | Hearts eye Man City starlet