The Rumour Mill: Friday's football news and gossip

• Karim Ziani (left) is a star of the Algerian team, along with Bougherra

Arveladze urged to take a look at Bougherra

Madjid Bougherra's Algerian teammate Karim Ziani, who plays for Turkish club Kayserispor, has urged his manager, former Rangers star Shota Arveladze, to sign his close friend. Ziani said: "I told Arveladze to sign Madjid because Kayserispor are ambitious and want to strengthen the squad. If we want the best, he should get Bougherra - I didn't hesitate for a second to recommend him." (Daily Express)

• Rangers are leading the race to sign Motherwell winger Chris Humphrey. The highly rated 22-year-old is a potential replacement for Vladimir Weiss, but Ally McCoist could face competition from Liverpool, Aston Villa, Birmingham and Bolton for his signature. (The Sun)

Celtic eye second Honduran

Celtic have added Emilio Izaguirre's Honduran international teammate Jorge Carlos to their list of potential summer recruits. He also plays for Izaguirre's former club, Motagua, where has been nicknamed the Pitbull for his uncompromising tackling in midfield. The interest from Scotland was revealed by Motagua's president, who maintains that Carlos could do "just as impressive a job" as his compatriot. (Daily Express)

Boyle feels he's paid his dues after investing 10m in Well

It would be churlish not to salute the part Boyle played in Motherwell's recovery, or acknowledge the fact that he, too, lost something in the fire. He estimates having spent 10 million on a club he has now gifted to a fans' trust company. (The Scotsman)

• The tycoon will also appeal his SFA fine of 2500 for a post-match fracas with Aberdeen manager Craig Brown. (The Herald)

Adams quits Hibs to resume role at Ross County

Derek Adams has completed a shock return to Dingwall, becoming the Ross County manager again on a three-year deal. The First Division club reached an amicable agreement with his employers Hibernian to terminate the 35-year-old's contract after just over six months working as No 2 to Colin Calderwood at Easter Road. (The Scotsman)

Blue Brazil release Crawford and Makel

Cowdenbeath manager Jimmy Nicholl has released veterans Stevie Crawford and Lee Makel in the wake of relegation to the Second Division. The experienced duo have been freed, along with striker John Dempster, youngster Richie Vauls and stalwart keeper David Hay, who made his 201st appearance for the club in the play-off defeat to Brechin City, while skipper Mark Baxter has decided to move on. (The Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• St Johnstone yesterday secured the signing of Dundee striker Sean Higgins on a two-year deal.

• Derby County are lining up a move for out-of-contract Aberdeen striker Chris Maguire.

• Hearts boss Jim Jefferies is waiting on a decision from Kilmarnock midfielder Jamie Hamill after the Tynecastle club approached the out-of-contract player.

• Former Scotland and Burnely striker Stephen Thompson, 32, is set to join St Mirren. He has reportedly verbally agreed a two-year deal with Danny Lennon.

• Rab Douglas has become the latest member of the Dundee squad to sign a new deal.

• David Buchanan, 25, has sparked a race for his signature after being released by Hamilton.

• Dunfermline boss Jim McIntyre has warned Callum Woods his contract offer could be withdrawn if he can source another right-back.

• Airdrie United have signed defender Chris Malon, 21, following his release from Livingston.

• Queen of the South have released three of their most experienced players as cash cutbacks begin to bite, with skipper David Lilley, Derek Holmes and Willie McLaren leaving Palmerston Park.

• Former Aberdeen and Dunfermline midfielder Barry Nicholson has signed a new two-year contract with Preston.

• Relegated Stirling Albion have released defender Martyn Corrigan after he accepted a player-coach role at Stenhousemuir.

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