Rumour Mill: Hibs | Ross County | Vince Lunny

Bookmakers slash odds on Mark Venus becoming manager of Hibs; Antonio Reguero joins as a goalkeeper at Ross County and the SFA’s Vince Lunny quits.

Mark Venus also coached Hibernian from 2004. Picture: SNS

Mark Venus favourite to become Hibs boss

Englishman Mark Venus is tipped as the new favourite to become manager of Hibs. Yesterday bookmakers cut the odds on him succeeding axed Terry Butcher after there was a surge in bets on Venus taking up the post.

New Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster is considering several candidates. Helping his candidacy, Venus worked under Tony Mowbray – the current No.2 at Easter Road – when Mowbray managed at West Bromwich. Venus, 47, has also had experience at the highest level at Celtic and Middlesbrough. (The Sun)

Antonio Reguero joins Staggies as goalkeeper

Antonio Reguero will return to the Highlands after signing up as a goalkeeper with Ross County. The 31-year-old Spaniard, who played for Inverness 28 times during the 2012/13 campaign before transferring to Kilmarnock, tweeted: “Glad to announce my club for next season. I’m going to play for @rosscountylive.

“Hope we can have success together during the season @spflextra.”

Reguero failed to make a single appearance at Kilmarnock last season. He will compete with Mark Brown for the gloves at Victoria Park after back-up keeper Michael Fraser was released. Reguero is manager Derek Adams’ fourth signing this summer, following the arrivals of winger Joe Cardle and strikers Jake Jervis and Liam Boyce. (Various)

Lionel Ainsworth signs with Motherwell

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall received a boost after Lionel Ainsworth committed his future to the Lanarkshire club by signing for the next 12 months - following the winger’s successful spell on loan to the Fir Park team last season.

McCall said: “To have such a scoring threat from midfield is vital for any side, but Lionel also contributes by creating goals for our strikers.”

Motherwell say they beat off competition from Scotland, England and abroad to secure Ainsworth’s signature. (Various)

SFA’s Vince Lunny quits his job

Vince Lunny, who was the first compliance officer to be appointed by the Scottish Football Association - to ensure greater focus and legal enforceability of the disciplinary rules, has quit his position.

Lunny has been in the job for less than three years but the former war crimes prosecutor plans to return to regular legal work. It is not the first time a high-profile employee has quit the governing body - commercial chief Kenny McLeod, head of finance Jim Hynes and fans’ liaison Alison Jack also recently resigned. (The Sun)