Rumour Mill: Brighton's £18m Dembele bid | Rangers have four January targets | Hearts swoop for Bain

Transfer talk is hotting up ahead of the January window with news of a bid for Celtic's Moussa Dembele and Rangers preparing a Scottish shopping list.

Celtic to offload Sviatchenko

Erik Sviatchenko is on his way out of Celtic Park as Marvin Compper reportedly weighs up an offer from Celtic, according to reports.

Boss Brendan Rodgers hopes to complete a £1 million deal for the 32-year-old Red Bull Leipzig defender. That would push Sviatchenko further down the pecking order with a January exit looking likely. (Scottish Sun)

Erik Sviatchenko could be on his way out of Celtic Park. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Murty furious over Gers display

Ibrox caretaker boss was left furious after the 3-1 defeat at home to St Johnstone which saw Rangers slip back to third place. Murty said: “I was disappointed with all the goals. When I have a look at them in detail I will probably find it really hard not to put my fist through a screen. We showed the players what St Johnstone were going to try and do, yet the goals came from that scenario. That is the annoying part for me.” (Various)

Hendry among Gers targets

Manager-less Rangers are lining up bids for a quartet of Scottish players. Director of football Mark Allen has been charged with identifying targets in the January transfer window. Top of the list is said to be Dundee’s highly rated defender Jack Hendry. Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones, Kenny McLean of Aberdeen and Hearts forward Jamie Walker make-up the wish list. (Sunday Post)

Erik Sviatchenko could be on his way out of Celtic Park. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Hearts swoop for Bain

Hearts are said to be planning a January move for Dundee keeper Scott Bain. Craig Levein is known to be a fan of Bain who is out of contract in the summer and has fallen out of favour at Dens Park. The Jambos face competition from League One side Northampton. (Scottish Sun)

Brighton prepare £18m bid for Dembele

Brighton are preparing an £18 million bid for strike star Moussa Dembele. They think they can tempt Dembele with the promise of regular starts in the Premier League. The offer to me made next week will also reportedly feature a 10 per cent sell-on bonus for Celtic. (Mail on Sunday)

Rodgers: Scottish players need a stronger mentality

Brendan Rodgers says more Scottish players could play for Celtic if they had a stronger mentality. The Celtic boss says ability alone isn’t enough.

“I some ways there’s not a big difference in terms of players. I’ve seen a number of players in Scotland who could probably play for Celtic. Then when you ask about them, the mentality’s not there - and that’s the big difference. Some players up here will be as quick as out boys and equally skilful but, when it comes to it, how are they mentally?

“It’s a tough ask because they won’t cope with the demands our boys face every day just to lead the life - diet, nutrition, preparation, concentration, drive, resilience.” (Scotland on Sunday)

Lennon says Cowdenbeath could have beaten Hibs

Hibs boss Neil Lennon has suggested Cowdenbeath - currently the worst senior side in Scotland - would have beaten Hibs on Saturday. The Easter Road side slumped to a 4-1 defeat at Aberdeen with Gary Mackay-Steven claiming a hat-trick for the Dons. The defeat leaves Hibs nine points behind second place Aberdeen.

“We need to congratulate Aberdeen as they were by far the hungrier team, they wanted it more, played the better football and were superior to us in all departments. However Cowdenbeath would have beaten us today with the attitude that we showed in the game.” (Scotland on Sunday)