The Rumour Mill: Tuesday's football news and gossip

Old Firm 'keeping tabs on McFadden'

Rangers and Celtic are ready to go head-to-head in a race to sign Scotland star James McFadden, above, who is out of contract at relegated Birmingham City. The 28-year-old has been offered a new deal at City but on much lower pay, and the Glasgow clubs are monitoring his situation closely. Both Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist are admirers of the striker, and the boyhood Celtic fan could be tempted by a move back north. (Daily Express)

Shiels 'accepts Killie job'

Kenny Shiels has verbally agreed to take the Kilmarnock job and the finer details of his contract will be finalised when he returns from holiday next week. Shiels, who had been caretaker following Mixu Paatelainen's exit, wants to make fellow Northern Irishman Jimmy Nicholl his assistant and Cowdenbeath have given their manager permission to hold talks with Rugby Park chairman Michael Johnston. (Daily Express)

• Kilmarnock have rejected a 300,000 bid from Derby County for their in-demand captain Craig Bryson.

• Ryan O'Leary is poised to sign a new two-year contract with Kilmarnock. (The Herald)

Kayal 'happy at Celtic'

Celtic star Beram Kayal has insisted he wants to stay at Parkhead next season. The Israeli playmaker has been linked with a move to the English Premier League but manager Neil Lennon is desperate to hold on to the 23-year-old midfielder. After missing the Scottish Cup final through injury, Kayal said: "Hopefully, this success will be continued next season with me still here." (Daily Record)

• Celtic outcast Efrain Juarez is set to quit Parkhead after failing to break into the starting eleven. (Daily Express)

Riordan ponders US move

Hibs striker is considering whether to accept an improved three-year contract offer from MLS side Houston Dynamo. The 28-year-old striker's contract runs out next week and he is expected to move for free, with English outfits Watford and Crystal Palace both understood to be keeping tabs on the SPL's third all-time top goalscorer. (Daily Record)

• Hibs boss Colin Calderwood has revealed he is close to signing a new striker and hopes to "conclude a deal" shortly. (Daily Record)

Ireland boss hits out at Stokes

Giovanni Trapattoni is infuriated by Celtic striker Anthony Stokes' decision to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad because of tiredness. (The Scotsman)

Hearts fans open-minded over stadium plans

Prominent Hearts supporters have reacted positively to yesterday's launch of a questionnaire about a possible move away from Tynecastle - although in many cases it is the manner of the consultation exercise, not the potential departure from the club's current home, which has elicited praise. (The Scotsman)

Sven targets Aluko

Leicester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is ready to meet Aberdeen's 200,000 compensation claim to sign winger Sone Aluko. (Daily Express)

• Meanwhile, Dons boss Craig Brown plans to hold talks with former Rangers and Scotland midfielder Gavin Rae, who has been released by Cardiff City. (The Herald)

Bring back play-offs - Pressley

Falkirk boss Steven Pressley has urged the SPL to consider reintroducing play-offs next season to help First Division clubs stave off financial meltdown. He said: "We have to give a second team the opportunity and the play-offs would generate better finances in our division. If not then clubs face seriously challenging times because many are already operating full-time on part-time money." (Daily Record)

Houston defends SPL in wake of criticism

Assistant Scotland manager Peter Houston has refuted Alan Pardew's damning criticism of the Scottish Premier League. (Various)

Burke and Bothroyd to exit Cardiff

Chris Burke and Jay Bothroyd will leave Cardiff this summer after the club revealed they would not be offering the duo new contracts. Bothroyd has been linked with a move to the Barclays Premier League, while former Rangers winger Burke will also leave the Welsh club as a free agent along with Adam Matthews, who is joining Celtic, Gavin Rae and Martin John. (The Scotsman)

Brewster recruited by Crawley Town

Craig Brewster has joined the coaching staff of English League 2 newcomers Crawley Town, managed by Steve Evans. Brewster, who has been out of the game since leaving Ross County six months ago, will be working with fellow Scots Willie Gibson, who moved south from Dunfermline, and former Albion Rovers goalkeeper Scott Shearer. (The Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• St Mirren have offered Darren McGregor a new one-year extension. Saints manager Danny Lennon has also offered deals to Michael Higdon, Paul Gallacher, Lee Mair and Hugh Murray.

• Dunfermline boss Jim McIntryre is set to make Queen of the South midfielder Paul Burns is first summer signing.

• Rangers will take on Chelsea in a glamour friendly at Ibrox on Saturday, 6 August, the Ibrox club have confirmed.

• Bob Malcolm, who joined Cowdenbeath in March, has been released by the club following relegation.

• Midfielder Ryan Borris, who left Dumbarton in 2007, has rejoined the club from Stirling Albion.

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