The Rumour Mill: Wednesday's football news and transfer gossip

New Celtic deal for in-demand Brown

Celtic are set to offer Scott Brown a lucrative new deal in an attempt to kill off Newcastle United's interest in their captain. The Scotland star has emerged as a 6million target for Toon boss Alan Pardew, but Celtic power brokers want to tie Brown to a new long-term contract and have already opened talks with the influential midfielder. It is understood Brown would commit his future to the club - if Neil Lennon also stays. (The Sun)

• Celtic midfielder Beram Kayal has signed an agreement to be represented by top agent Pini Zahavi as he prepares to enter talks over improving his 7,000-a-week contract at Parkhead. (Daily Mail)

• Polish club Legia Warsaw are considering a move for Celtic keeper Lukasz Zaluska, although Neil Lennon would be reluctant to sell him until he signs a new No.1. (Daily Express)

Hemed to fly in to seal Rangers move

Tomer Hemed will jet into Glasgow in the next 24 hours to complete his move to Rangers. The Israeli striker is ready to put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Ibrox after Rangers boss Ally McCoist met his representatives at Murray Park yesterday. More talks are expected later today with the Maccabi Haifa player expected in Scotland for a medical on Thursday. (The Sun)

Jefferies hails Taouil's 'special talent'

Hearts boss Jim Jefferies believes Mehdi Taouil, the Moroccan midfielder he signed from former club Kilmarnock yesterday, will offer "something different" to his squad. "Hearts supporters like to see special talent and he has that in his locker," the Tynecastle manager said. (The Scotsman)

• Former Aberdeen defender Zander Diamond is ready to consider moves to England or even abroad after Hearts pulled the plug on his Bosman switch to Tynecastle. (The Sun)

O'Hanlon and Hanlon in Hibs backline

Hibs boss Colin Calderwood wants to team new signing Sean O'Hanlon with Paul Hanlon in the back four. The 6ft 3in defender is set to sign a two-year deal at Easter Road after being released by MK Dons. Calderwood is also tracking Manchester United midfielder Ryan Brennan, 19, and has invited him to join pre-season training. (The Sun)

Bell turned down South African offer

Cammy Bell rejected a lucrative move to South Africa after Kenny Shiels convinced him to stay at Kilmarnock. The goalkeeper signed a two-year deal at Rugby Park after weeks of agonising over his future. Ajax Cape Town invited the Scotland international out for a three-day trip at the end of the month, but Bell decided to remain in the SPL after talks with the new Killie boss. (The Sun)

• Kilmarnock have agreed deals to sign Dundee midfielder Gary Harkins and Crewe Alexandra defender Patrick Ada. Harkins has agreed a three-year deal while Cameroon-born Ada will sign a two-year contract. (Daily Express)

• Kilmarnock are considering a move for Falkirk defender Marc Twaddle. (The Sun)

McNamara wants Neil McCann at Partick

Partick Thistle manager Jackie McNamara is hopeful his long-standing friendship with Neil McCann will persuade the former Scotland winger to extend his playing career at Firhill rather than Dens Park next season. (The Scotsman)

McLeish's position was 'untenable'

As the saga over Alex McLeish's Birmingham City departure continued to rumble on yesterday, the League Managers' Association claimed the Scot quit the St Andrew's club because he was not consulted properly over transfers and after his chief scout was sacked. (The Scotsman)

• Tom English: McLeish's side of story is beginning to emerge (The Scotsman)

Leeds keen to hold on to Snodgrass

With Leeds set for another season of Championship football after missing out on promotion, director Peter Lorimer says they are determined to keep Scotland international Robert Snodgrass, despite interest from the Premier League. (The Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Derek Adams last night made Hibs' prolific youth striker Kurtis Byrne his fifth close season signing for Ross County. Byrne, 21, impressed Adams during the Dingwall manager's spell as Hibs assistant.

• Falkirk have signed experienced defender Darren Dodds, 36, from Dundee United. Meanwhile, Bairns striker Mark Stewart was at League Two side Bradford City yesterday for talks. (The Sun)

• And out-of-contract Ross County keeper Michael McGovern, 26, has been offered a deal by Falkirk. (Daily Record)

• St Mirren boss Danny Lennon is weighing up a move for ex-Aberdeen midfielder Gary McDonald. (The Sun)

• Dundee United have invited winger Gary Mackay-Stevens to join them for pre-season training. The former Liverpool player is a free agent after leaving Airdrie. (The Sun)

• Liverpool are targeting 15-year-old Ayr United starlet Mark Shankland, who became the youngest ever first-team player in the club's history last month.

• New Queen of the South boss Gus MacPherson believes there will be some big-name players arriving at the club.

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