INT SPL - Scottish Premier League

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Sochaux confirm interest in signing Rangers' Maurice Edu

Sochaux are set to make an improved offer for Rangers central midfielder Maurice Edu, according to STV.

The Ligue 1 side have already had a £500,000 bid for the 25-year-old rejected, but are preparing to make another offer for the United States international, who they view as their primary midfield target.

"We are interested in bringing Maurice Edu to Sochaux," assistant coach Stephane Gilli said.

"We have two or three other targets, but it's fair to say Edu is our number one target for the midfield position.

"I cannot say if we have made an offer to Rangers. We will be discussing transfer targets with the president of Sochaux this evening [Friday]."

Edu, who made the move to Rangers in 2008 from Toronto FC, has made 30 international appearances for the United States, scoring one goal.

 

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Celtic boss Neil Lennon admits there's been interest in Korean Ki Sung-Yueng

Celtic's Korean midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng has attracted interest from several clubs, but no offers so far, according to Hoops boss Neil Lennon.

The Celtic manager made the revelation when speaking to BBC Sport but said those clubs were wasting their time as the Korea international wasn't for sale.

"I'm aware of interest but I'm not aware of any offers," Lennon said.

He added: "It doesn't surprise me that a number of clubs are looking at [Ki] and various other players but, for me, they would be wasting their time."

Ki has been a regular for Celtic during the 2011-12 season, making 28 appearances in all competitions and helping the Hoops storm into top spot in the Scottish title race.

The former FC Seoul man, who turns 23 on January 24, was linked with struggling Premier League club Blackburn Rovers and an unknown Russian club in August.

 

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Rangers suspended from trading on stock exchange for failure to file audited accounts

Shares in SPL club Rangers have been suspended from the stock exchange after the club failed to file their audited accounts on time.

The Glasgow club were halted from trading on Monday at noon by 'Plus' stock exchange, where their shares are traded.

Plus confirmed the suspension was because of Rangers failure to file their audited accounts by Monday's deadline.

"As a result of the delay in publishing its audited accounts to June 30, 2011, the board announce that the company's shares have been suspended from trading on Plus pursuant to Rule 51," read a statement from the Rangers FC PLC board.

"The delay has been caused as a result of finalising the audit, which the board believe will be complete on or around January 31, 2012. The delay in finalising the audit is principally related to the ongoing HMRC tax tribunal.

"The board of the Rangers Football Club PLC is currently considering the merit of maintaining its listing on the Plus market after May 6, 2012, being the date 12 months following the acquisition of the 85.3% holding of the company by The Rangers FC Group Limited.

"The directors of the Rangers Football Club PLC accept responsibility for this announcement."

 

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Derby County's Lee Croft has gone north of the border on loan at St Johnstone for the rest of the season.

 

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Rangers boss Ally McCoist says he expects to tie up a deal for Estonian defender Enar Jaager after being impressed with him on trial.

We were sneakily hoping he didn't do well on trial, so we could use the headline 'Jaager bombs'.

 

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More from Rangers, who are hopeful of a quick conclusion to the signing of Swedish midfielder Mervan Celik.

 

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Rangers boss Ally McCoist says he expects to tie up a deal for Estonian

defender Enar Jaager after being impressed with him on trial.

We were sneakily hoping he didn't do well on trial, so we could use the

headline 'Jaager bombs'.

 

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Ger complete Celik capture

Rangers have confirmed the signing of Swedish midfielder Mervan Celik. The 21-year-old has joined the Scottish champions on a three-and-a-half year deal after passing a medical on Friday.

Celik was a free agent after leaving GAIS and becomes Ally McCoist's first signing of the January transfer window. Compensation would be due to the player's former club GAIS.

Despite a lack of recent competitive matches, Celik insists he is ready to be thrown into the action when called upon by McCoist.

He said: "I am always ready. I feel fit and able to be involved. I will show the fans but I can tell them that I am a player who always plays with heart.

"It doesn't matter to me where I play, that is for the coaches to decide. Of course the fans can expect to see goals but I can also defend well.''

Rangers are also set to make an offer to Estonian defender Enar Jaager, while fellow trialist Jorge Claros could extend his trial by another week. Meanwhile, McCoist says he is unaware of a bid from West Ham for striker Nikica Jelavic and claims the reported figure of £6million would not meet Rangers' valuation.

He said: "They have not made an official bid. The reported amount would not be enough to meet the demands of the owner - £6million is not nearly enough.''

 

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Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic could be on his way to West Ham. The Hammers have reportedly tabled a bid for the Croatian, who's been scoring freely in the SPL this season, and talks are said to be ongoing.

 

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St Johnstone striker Francisco Sandaza says he opted against signing a pre-contract agreement with Rangers as he felt undervalued by the SPL champions.