The Rumour Mill: Friday’s football news and gossip

In today’s Rumour Mill: The latest on James McFadden’s possible move to Celtic; Ian Durrant takes a swipe at Chris Sutton; Sergio does not fear a lie detector test; plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

McFadden holds talks over move to Celtic

As reported in yesterday’s Rumour Mill, James McFadden’s representatives are understood to have held several days of talks with Celtic officials over a move to Parkhead. Questions over the possible arrival of McFadden are sure to be put to the board at the club’s agm today, and yesterday Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley said he reckons the player would be a fine addition to the squad. “He’s a great player and I think he would be good for the team,” said Ledley. (Scotsman)

• But English Premier League clubs Wolves and Everton are also fighting to sign McFadden, and could trump Celtic’s offer. (Sun)

• Celtic boss Neil Lennon has admitted his interest in McFadden: “It’s no secret Celtic want him, I won’t deny that... I hope it will be done by Monday or Tuesday.” (Record)

• Barry Ferguson has backed his former Birmingham and Scotland team-mate James McFadden to rediscover his best form if he moves to Celtic: “He has plenty left in the tank; there is no question of that at all... It would be a big opportunity for James, and he would bring something different to the Celtic squad.” (Herald)

• Neil Lennon will undergo a litmus test at Celtic Park today on his public approval rating that will reveal whether supporters have been swayed by the disappointments of the last few weeks. (Scotsman)

Chris who? Durrant hits back at Sutton

Rangers coach Ian Durrant has responded to a claim by Chris Sutton that the Ibrox side were “fragile” by insisting that some of his players have no idea who the former Celtic star is. Durrant said: “I swear I am not trying to put Chris down. But if you put the paper with his comments in it in front of some of our players they would not know who Chris Sutton was.” (Sun)

• Durrant also claimed that Rangers would have made a move for James McFadden if he hadn’t been such a big Celtic fan. (Sun)

Sergio ready to take a lie detector test

Hearts manager Paulo Sergio yesterday offered to take a lie-detector test to prove that his account of an incident involving referee Iain Brines is correct – and that the match official changed his own version of events. (Scotsman)

Calderwood relieved to see O’Connor in the clear

Hibernian manager Colin Calderwood is relieved to have in-form striker Garry O’Connor eligible for tomorrow’s visit of Motherwell, but says the SFA are right to consider retrospective punishments for diving. (Scotsman)

Gavin Rae returns to Dundee

Dundee have brought back Gavin Rae to the club in a bid to boost their First Division campaign. Rae has been a free agent since being released by Cardiff City at the end of last season and he has kept himself in shape by training with the Championship club as he looked to find a new employer. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Former Rangers full-back and former Dundee midfielder Mark Fotheringham will sign short-term deals with Livingston today. (Sun)

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