Rumour Mill: Hearts want Kyle Lafferty | Celtic eye Serbian kid | Alan Archibald to Oxford?

Hearts are interested in signing Kyle Lafferty, Celtic are eyeing Serbian youngster Srdjan Plavsic, and Alan Archibald has emerged as a contender for the manager's job at Oxford United.

Kyle Lafferty spent four years at Ibrox earlier in his career. Picture: Robert Perry

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Hearts chase Lafferty

Hearts are looking to bring former Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty back to Scottish football. The Northern Irish international is a free agent after leaving Norwich City in the summer and Hearts are looking to tempt the play to Gorgie. Lafferty already has a working relationship with Jambos assistant Austin MacPhee, who is a member of Michael O’Neill’s backroom staff at Northern Ireland. (Daily Record)

Oxford want Archibald

Partick Thistle boss Alan Archibald is being considered as a candidate for the vacant manager’s job at Oxford United. The English League One side are looking to find a replacement for Michael Appleton after the former boss left to become No.2 tro Craig Shakespeare at Leicester City. Oxford failed in an attempt last week to sign Thistle defender Liam Lindsay, who completed his move to Barnsley on Tuesday. (Daily Record)

King delighted with retail deal

Rangers chairman Dave King believes the resolution of his club’s dispute with Sports Direct is the most significant development yet in his efforts to address what he regards as the “unnatural advantage” Celtic have enjoyed over them in recent years. After two years of what King described as “challenging” negotiations, Rangers and Sports Direct have announced a new commercial agreement which will see the club receive the majority of profits made from the sale of replica kit and other products. (The Scotsman)

O’Neill told Boyce to reject Aberdeen

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill has revealed he told striker Liam Boyce to reject an offer from Aberdeen and join Burton Albion instead. O’Neill felt it would be better for Boyce’s future career prospects if he moved to the English Championship, where another fine season would have him on the radar of English Premier League sides. (Daily Record)

Aberdeen interested in Williams

Aberdeen are interested in trying to sign young Fulham winger George Williams. The 21-year-old can operate out on the flank, through the middle or up front, and would represent the beginning of Aberdeen’s rebuilding process after the loss of both Jonny Hayes and Niall McGinn this summer. (Scottish Sun)

Ridgers to join Inverness

Inverness Caledonian Thistle are set to sign former Hearts, St Mirren and Partick Thistle goalkeeper Mark Ridgers. The 26-year-old is a free agent after leaving Firhill and will compete with Owain Fon Williams for the No.1 jersey at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium should the deal go through. (Scottish Sun)

• Inverness have taken former Motherwell full-back Joe Chalmers on trial. (Scottish Sun)