The Rumour Mill: Tuesday’s Scottish football news and gossip

Inverness boss Terry Butcher holds talks with Barnsley

Barnsley are continuing negotiations with Inverness CT manager Terry Butcher, who has taken the Caley Jags to second in the SPL, although the board remain hopeful that the 54-year-old former England captain will stay in the Highlands and complete what is proving to be the most successful campaign in the club’s history. Inverness are the division’s top scorers with 44 goals, have only lost to Celtic and Motherwell and are preparing for a League Cup semi-final against Hearts.

Suitors Barnsley are bottom of the npower Championship, and are looking to appoint their sixth manager in seven-and-a-half years following the sacking last month of Keith Hill.

Inverness chairman Kenny Cameron said in a statement: “We have given Barnsley FC permission to speak to Terry. Given our current position in the SPL and the fact we have a cup semi-final on the horizon, it is inevitable that if any managerial positions come up our management team will no doubt be on the radar.

“We will be doing everything possible to ensure that Terry remains with the club and finishes what has been an incredible journey to date for us all.”

Celtic eye Manchester City youngster Dedryck Boyata

Celtic have been linked with a loan move for Manchester City’s Dedryck Boyatam, currently on loan with Dutch side FC Twente, as Neil Lennon looks to bolster his squad during the SPL shutdown. The 22-year-old Belgian defender is unlikely to feature in Roberto Mancini’s plans, having been shipped out on loan following his return from Bolton Wanderers last season.

Celtic will face competition from several Championship sides, although the Parkhead club have expressed an interest in taking Boyata on a loan move in the past. The Belgian has made just 10 appearances for Manchester City, mostly playing across the back four.

Meanwhile, Celtic have been linked with a renewed bid for Israeli midfielder Maor Melikson, who has been told he is free to leave Polish side Wisla Krakow, whilst compatriot Rami Gershon signed a six-month loan deal yesterday.

Ross County monitoring Sproule situation

Derek Adams could raid former club Hibernian for out-of-favour winger Ivan Sproule. The Highland club are keen to add reinforcements to their squad ahead of the second half of the season, and Adams has earmarked the Northern Irish winger as a potential addition.

Sproule, who has made 11 appearances for his country, scoring once, has found first-team opportunities hard to come by at Easter Road this season, after Colin Calderwood brought him back to Hibs for a second spell in 2011 and could move to Victoria Park on an 18-month deal if he can negotiate a release from the Leith club.

Bristol City make move for Killie midfielder Kelly

Bristol City have bid £150,000 to take Kilmarnock midfielder Liam Kelly south of the Border, after manager Derek McInnes had the midfielder watched in recent matches. The Championship side tabled their bid last night but are still awaiting a reply from Rugby Park chairman Michael Johnston.

The Scotland international has been linked with a number of English clubs including Norwich, West Ham, Newcastle and Derby and is said to be keen on a return south to be closer to his bereaved mother. Kelly’s father died just hours after watching his son help Kilmarnock to a famous League Cup victory over Celtic.

Kelly is out of contract in the summer but has told boss Kenny Shiels that he would prefer to leave during this window to ensure Kilmarnock get a fee for him. Shiels had hoped to rake in as much as £500,000 for the playmaker, but Bristol are hopeful their bid will be enough to tempt Killie.

Steve Lomas wanted by Doncaster after Redknapp recommendation

St Johnstone face a sweat to see if they can hold onto manager Steve Lomas, who has been added to the list to replace departed Doncaster boss Dean Saunders, who took the reins at Wolves this week.

Lomas was recommended to the League One side by Harry Redknapp, who signed Lomas as a player for West Ham, although it is understood the Keepmoat side are also mulling over an approach for Terry Butcher.

Scottish football news in brief

• Aberdeen under-20 striker Declan McManus could be set for a loan move to Dundee or Partick Thistle. McManus has scored 15 goals in 10 games for the wee Dons but is finding it hard breaking into the first team squad at Pittodrie

• Dons legend Willie Miller has claimed Ryan Fraser would be wasted at Huddersfield. The Championship side are leading the chase for the wantaway winger

• St Johnstone have opened talks with captain Dave McKay over a potential contract extension

• Dundee midfielder Stephen O’Donnell has been dealt a blow after being ruled out for the remainder of the season. O’Donnell sustained an injury in August, and had just returned to first-team action until his latest setback

• Falkirk have extended the contracts of teen pair Liam Dick and Ryan McGeever, which will see the duo at the club until 2016