Rumour Mill: Old Firm set to miss out on Adi | Celtic target '˜will cost £10m | Kranjcar seals Gers move

Portland Timbers striker Fanendo Adi '˜not for sale'; Celtic target Joe Allen likely to cost around £10 million and Niko Kranjcar finalises Rangers move
Fanendo Adi in action for Portland Timbers against Columbus Crew. Picture: Getty ImagesFanendo Adi in action for Portland Timbers against Columbus Crew. Picture: Getty Images
Fanendo Adi in action for Portland Timbers against Columbus Crew. Picture: Getty Images

Adi ‘not for sale’ insist Timbers

FANENDO Adi, named as a target for Celtic, Rangers, Crystal Palace and Tigres is not for sale, according to Portland Timbers boss Gavin Wilkinson.

The Nigerian striker joined the MLS side from FC Copenhagen in 2014 and his form has caught the eye of several clubs.

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But Wilkinson insisted: “Adi signed a three-year extension in March and we expect him to honour his commitment to our club. Adi is an important player for the Timbers and we are not entertaining any move for him this summer.” (MLSSoccer.com)

Celtic target Allen priced at £10 million

CELTIC target Joe Allen could cost up to £10 million, after former club Swansea failed with an £8 million bid to take the player back to the Liberty Stadium.

Allen - who is also a target for Leicester, Sevilla, Stoke and Bournemouth - was described by Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers as a ‘wonderful player’ last week.

However, Allen’s performances for Wales at Euro 2016 could increase competition. (Various)

Kranjcar completes Ibrox switch

NIKO Kranjcar today agreed a two-year deal to join Rangers from New York Cosmos.

The former Spurs and QPR midfielder had been keen on a return to Europe after moving to the US, where he held talks with Mark Warburton.

The Croatian ace, who has backed former Loftus Road team mates Clint Hill and Joey Barton to do the business for the Gers, said: “It’s a big honour and a privilege to sign for a club this size, but it’s also a big responsibility in my opinion because you have to be the best you can.

“You have to win trophies and it’s something I’m really looking forward to.” (Various)

Inverness CT knock back Rankin offer

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INVERNESS Caledonian Thistle have turned down the chance to re-sign former player John Rankin from Dundee United.

The midfielder was part of the United team relegated from the Scottish Premiership at the end of last season, and had reportedly been offered to the Caley Jags - but his former employers have decided against a reunion. (Highland News)

Steelmen sign three

MOTHERWELL have signed three new players as Mark McGhee looks to bolster his squad ahead of the upcoming season.

Leicester City striker Jacob Blyth, centre half Ben Heneghan and right back Richard Tait all agreed deals with the Fir Park side barely 24 hours after veteran Keith Lasley extended his stay by a further year. (Various)

Heskey knocks back Hibs offer

EMILE Heskey has revealed he rejected the chance to become Neil Lennon’s first signing at Hibernian.

The 38-year-old played under former Leicester team-mate Lennon at Bolton but after his contract expired with the Lancashire club last month, the former English international declined an invitation to come north – as he did twice before when approaches were made from Celtic.

“I took a call [about Hibs] but I am now happy to do coaching rather than playing. There was interest but for me it is the coaching side that interests me,” said Heskey. (The Scotsman)

Barton takes aim at Brown over ‘Celtic fan’ comments

JOEY Barton has hit back at Scott Brown after the Celtic skipper joked Rangers recent signing was a “Celtic fan”.

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Barton responded by posting a picture on Twitter of his Old Firm rival wearing a Rangers strip in a team photo taken during his days as a child training with the Ibrox youth set-up.

The boyhood Evertonian wrote: “ok Scott. No pictures of me in a Celtic kit pal...Where I’m from you support one team. You might look for results of others foreign teams, but you only really support your team.” (Various)

Hayes ‘going nowhere’ vows McInnes

ABERDEEN winger Jonny Hayes is going nowhere, according to defiant Dons boss Derek McInnes.

Hayes has been linked with a £500,000 move to Gary Caldwell’s Wigan Athletic but McInnes insists he has not received any enquiry for any key member of his squad, and nor would he welcome one.

The Dons manager firmly believes Hayes would be best served remaining at Pittodrie and is adamant the Premiership runners-up will be no pushovers in the transfer market if clubs come calling.

“There’s been no approaches at all, Jonny included,” he said. “We have a lot of good players that I’m sure clubs will look at but the majority are under contract for a period of time. Jonny is under contract for two years.” (The Scotsman)

Rodgers ‘held England talks’

NEW Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers held talks with the FA about eventually replacing Roy Hodgson, according to reports.

The former Liverpool boss has been tipped to replace Hodgson, who has presided over two fairly underwhelming major tournaments as England boss.

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And the FA are said to be impressed by Rodgers’ work at Anfield, and held preliminary talks with the Northern Irishman in October last year. (Scottish Sun)

Key Falkirk man joins Rangers

FALKIRK have confirmed that the Bairns’ development chief Creag Robertson has left to take up a new role at Rangers as Head of Academy Football Business and Education.

Robertson spent seven years at Falkirk, initially joining on a part-time basis before moving into a full-time position running the club’s Academy. (Various)

Southampton set to beat Man Utd to Scots youngster

SOUTHAMPTON are on track to beat Manchester United to the signing of highly-rated Dundee United youngster Kieran Freeman, according to reports.

Freeman, 16, is one of the brightest talents in the Scottish game and has been on Manchester United’s radar for some time.

But reports suggest Freeman has agreed a move in principle to St Mary’s and has undergone a medical. The Tannadice club are in line for a five-figure fee for Freeman. (Daily Express)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Falkirk have agreed a deal with former Rangers defender Luca Gasparotto

• Ross County boss Jim McIntyre has revealed he is still on the lookout for new signings