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

• Paulo Sergio has been widely reported as the man Vladimir Romanov is lining up to replace Jim Jefferies

Turmoil at Tynecastle

Jim Jefferies was removed from his job as Hearts boss yesterday and today owner Vladimir Romanov will reveal the 10th manager of his six and a half year reign at the club, with former Sporting Lisbon coach Paulo Sergio the clear favourite. (Scotsman)

• Sergio, who was in talks with Romanov last night, confirmed his interest in the vacancy: "We will see what happens, but of course I am very interested in the job and I believe that Hearts is a big job. I believe that I can be successful not just in Scottish football, but with any club." (Sun)

• A source close to Jefferies and Brown said: "The only real reason (for the decision) given was Romanov had a new coach he wanted to bring in. To say they were surprised would be an understatement." (Mail)

• George Foulkes, who helped Romanov buy the club when he was chairman at Tynecastle in 2004, was stunned by the dismissals and reckons that the departure of Jefferies might prove to be the last straw for long-suffering Gorgie regulars. (Scotsman)

• Alex Smith, chairman of the Scottish League Managers' Association, has accused Romanov of a lack of respect for the Old Firm in his reasoning that a finish of third place in the SPL was not good enough to safeguard Jefferies' job. (Record)

• Csaba Laszlo - the manager sacked by Romanov in January of last year - last night admitted he would have considered a return to Tynecastle to replace the man who succeeded him. (Scotsman)

Celtic snubbed by Bellamy

Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy has rejected a loan move to Celtic, according to sources close to the player, who say the Welshman has no intention of going back to the SPL at the moment. (Express)

• Celtic are stepping up their interest in Torino striker Rolando Bianchi, according to reports in Italy. The player's agent confirmed there has been interest from Parkhead, but there are other clubs interested in the 28-year-old. (Express)

• Neil Lennon will make another move for goalkeeper Fraser Forster if the player is told he won't start the seasonas No. 1 at Newcastle United. (Express)

Goodwillie's Blackburn move to be finalised

David Goodillie's on-off move to Blackburn should finally go through this morning. The 22-year-old Scotland international travelled to Lancashire yesterday to hold signing talks with the Premiership club after they agreed a 2.8 million deal with Dundee United. Goodwillie is understood to have negotiated a 20,000-a-week contract with Blackburn and was expected to undergo a medical before signing yesterday. (Scotsman)

• Rangers failed with a late fifth bid for Goodwillie last night. (Various)

Calderwood staying put - for now

Hibs manager Colin Calderwood will not be joining Nottingham Forest after Rob Kelly was unveiled as the new assistant manager at the City Ground. But the Easter Road boss again sparked speculation on his future after Saturday's win at Inverness, saying: "No offer has been put to me, so you just get on with it and you hope somebody thinks you're good enough to try to make an approach to you." (Express)

D-day for Goian's Uefa appeal

Rangers will discover today if they can have the services of Dorin Goian for their crucial Champions League showdown against Malmo in Sweden tomorrow night. (Scotsman)

• Rangers boss Ally McCoist is running the rule over 20-year-old Arsenal striker Rhys Murphy, who played in a closed-doors friendly win over Hamilton. (Express)

Barton released by Newcastle

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has accused the club's hierarchy of not understanding what it means to wear the shirt after being told he can leave on a free transfer. (Various)

IN BRIEF

• Aberdeen boss Craig Brown wants to improve his side by moving fringe players out on loan to free up space to introduce new faces. (Herald)

• Preston have offered a deal to freed Falkirk defender Brian McLean. Meanwhile, the Bairns have handed a trial to ex-Watford player Santiago Aloi. (Express)

• St Mirren boss Danny Lennon believes the season has started so well he won't need to make any further signings. (Various)

• Kilmarnock target Jeanvion Yulu-Matondo has priced himself out of a move to Rugby Park. (Sun)

• Forfar have taken Rangers' 20-year-old keeper Grant Adam on loan until January. (Record)

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