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

Rangers bid for Raul (not that one)

Rangers have made a 400,000 bid for defender Raul Rodriguez and will find out today from La Liga side Espanyol if their offer for the 23-year-old has been accepted. Gers boss Ally McCoist said: "That's the only bid we have in at the moment but there will be more during the next 24 hours." (Daily Record)

• Former Rangers striker El Hadji Diouf has gone AWOL from Blackburn after showing off his SPL title medal, which did not impress boss Steve Kean, an ex-Celtic youth player. (The Sun)

Brown contract the priority for Lennon

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is prepared to make a new contract for captain Scott Brown his summer priority. The Scotland midfielder hinted at frustrations last week that contract talks haven't moved as quickly as he would have liked, but Lennon maintains he wants the issue settled soon, saying "it's important we negotiate pretty quickly". (Daily Record)

• Nottingham Forest have made a bid for out-of-favour Celtic striker Daryl Murphy. The Republic of Ireland cap, 28, has only started nine SPL games since moving to Parkhead last summer, and has been told he can leave the club. (The Sun)

Dundee United save Mackay-Steven from supermarket

New Dundee United signing Gary Mackay-Steven has revealed he could easily have been stacking shelves in his local supermarket tonight rather than preparing for the Europa League. The 21-year-old former Liverpool trainee said he did not have a wage coming in and had to move back home to stay with his family, and a supermarket job may have beckoned. (Daily Record)

Caley capture Doran

Inverness boss Terry Butcher has signed Aaron Doran, the Blackburn winger who spent the second half of the season on loan at Caley, on a two-year deal. Butcher has also picked up striker Billy McKay from Northampton. (Daily Record)

St Mirren wait for clearance on Dutch defender

St Mirren have agreed a one-year deal with Jeroen Tesselar and are waiting for clearance from the Dutch Football Association to seal the transfer. The 22-year-old left-back has been with AZ Alkmaar since he was 14 but has spent the last two seasons on loan at SC Telstar. (The Herald)

IN BRIEF

• Former Scotland and Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson is close to a 750,000 move to Blackpool. The Scot is one of Birmingham City's highest earners and the newly relegated club are keen to reduce their wage bill. (The Sun)

• Aberdeen boss Craig Brown admits he does not have the financial clout to sign Icelandic stopper Kari Arnason, who has been training with the Dons since failing to win a deal with Hearts last month. (The Sun)

• Hearts boss Jim Jefferies has played down an injury scare to new signing John Sutton. The striker complained of a tight groin before Tuesday's game with Cowdenbeath, but Jefferies said the ex-Motherwell player was left out as a precaution. (The Sun)

• Former Aberdeen defender Zander Diamond has joined League One side Oldham Athletic.

• Former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant has been confirmed as Alex McLeish's new assistant manager at Aston Villa.

• Alloa boss Paul Hartley is looking to bring in former Aberdeen youngster Stirling Smith.

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