The Rumour Mill: Friday's football news and gossip

Celtic consider move for Israeli

Neil Lennon is reported to be tracking 1.7m rated Maccabi Petah Tikva striker Omer Damari, pictured right, following a recommendation from current Celtic midfielder Beram Kayal.

Damari is out injured at the minute however the Parkhead club will monitor the player when he returns to action in a month. (Sun)

Cuellar Rangers deal hits snag

The return of Carlos Cuellar to Rangers looks set to be blocked by new Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish who is understood to be keen on retaining the defender as he looks to build his squad for next season. (Sun)

Celtic target shot in the head

A reported transfer target of the Parkhead club, Honduran Jorge Claros, has been injured in a gun attack. The midfielder's injuries are not life threatening and he is expected to play again early next season.

Celtic's interest is reported to have cooled since the incident which occurred yesterday. (Sun)

McLeish appointed manager of Villa

Former Rangers and Scotland manager Alex McLeish has been appointed boss of Aston Villa despite protestations from fans due to his spell in charge of rivals Birmingham. (SKY)

Rangers knock back third Whittaker offer

The Ibrox club have rejected a 700,000 bid for defender Stephen Whittaker, who has a year left to run on his contract, from Turkish side Bursaspor. (Scotsman)

Duo depart Easter Road

Hibs have parted company with striker Ricardo Vaz Te after the club decided not to renew the Portuguese forward's short term deal.

Goalkeeper Jakub Divis has also left the Leith club with manager Colin Calderwood saying the club are well-served between the sticks. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Aberdeen hope keeper Jamie Langfield will be back in full training in September after he was hospitalised following a seizure

• Ross County have signed former Hibs striker Sam Morrow from Tranmere Rovers

• Scot Stephen Crainey is set to move from Blackpool to Wigan

• Cardiff City have opened managerial talks with ex-Celtic defender and current Watford manager Malky Mackay

• Steve McLaren has been confirmed as Billy Davies managerial replacement at Nottingham Forest

• Former Rangers manager Paul Le Guen is being lined up as the next boss of Algeria

• Former Celtic keeper Artur Boruc has been linked with a shock move to Liverpool

• Queen of the South have signed former Hearts midfielder Stephen Simmons

• Hamilton Accies have signed Stenhousemuir midfielder Grant Anderson

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