The Rumour Mill: Wednesday's football news and gossip

Rangers up interest in Israeli

Ian Durrant will fly to Riga to watch Maccabi Haifa striker Tomer Hemed, pictured, in action for his country when they take on Latvia this week.

The 24-year-old is available on a free transfer and bagged 17 goals last season. (Mail)

League of ten SPL blown out of water

An unofficial meeting of eight SPL clubs appears to have put paid to the SPL's plans to create a ten team league with those in attendance in favour of expanding to a 14-team set-up. (Scotsman)

No Celtic interest in Peterborough player

Peterborough director of football Barry Fry says Neil Lennon has confirmed to him personally that he is not interested in bringing striker Craig Mackail-Smith to the Parkhead club. (Express)

Celtic to deal in duo

The Parkhead side have entered into contract negotiations with in-form players Beram Kayal and Emilio Izaguirre as they bid to stave off a host of interested Premiership clubs. (Record)

Motherwell keen on Gunning deal

Stuart McCall will hold discussions with Blackburn Rovers about bringing Gavin Gunning back to Fir Park following a successful loan spell last season. (Express)

Dons square for battle with Derby over Maguire

Aberdeen forward Chris Maguire signed a three-year deal with Derby County but the Midlands club have yet to meet the Pittodrie side's valuation of the player.

The Rams have made an offer for the player but it does not meet the Dons' 400,000 valuation.

Unless a compromise is reached the transfer looks set to go to a tribunal. (Press and Journal)

Blackburn boss willing to let Diouf leave

Steve Kean says he will not stand in the way of El Hadji Diouf leaving the Premiership side despite the Senegal international having a year left to run on his contract.

Diouf has expressed an interested in turning his loan deal at Rangers into a permanent arrangement. (Sun)

Long keen on Parkhead move

Sources close to Reading striker Shane Long say he would be keen on a move to Celtic but said that there has so far been no contact between the Glasgow club and the Championship side over a transfer. (Express)

Burns turns down big money for bash at SPL

Midfielder Paul Burns rejected a new deal and a testimonial with Queen of the South so that he could have a crack at the SPL with newly-promoted Dunfermline. (Sun)

Diamond's move to Hearts in doubt

Zander Diamond's Bosman switch from Aberdeen to Hearts could be in jeopardy after concern was raised over the effect that a two-year-old ankle injury will have on the 26-year-old's future in the game.

The defender will be checked over by medical staff at Tynecastle this week before a final decision is taken. (Record)

Inverness set to secure highly-rated midfielder

Terry Butcher is poised to sign Greg Tansey, who once rejected a move to Liverpool, for free after Stockport County failed to tie up the 22-year-old on a new deal within the 60-day Bosman deadline. (Press and Journal)

IN BRIEF

• Dunfermline have signed Kevin Rutkiewicz from St Johnstone on a permanent deal following a successful loan spell

• Midfielder Sean Walsh, 21, has signed a new one-year deal with Hibs

• St Mirren starlet Dominic Kennedy has signed a new one-year deal with the Paisley club

• Partick Thistle have signed striker Tommy Stewart

• Aberdeen keeper Jamie Langfield is recovering in hospital after suffering a seizure on Monday

• Leeds United are considering a move for Dundee United left back Barry Douglas

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