January 2008 Rumour Mill Issue 1

Last updated : 13 January 2008 By Stuart Gillespie
The idea is simple. Every so often, I'll post details of rumours that have appeared somewhere, such as a website or in the papers, about players possibly signing for or leaving Saints. If a rumour is confirmed as being true or false, I'll say as much in the next issue. However, if he signs or leaves without appearing here, he won't be mentioned.

As this is the first edition since the summer, I'll list the rumours that turned out to be untrue. There's quite a few.

For the record, this is a list of rumours, rather than folk people have said they'd quite like us to sign. Most of them have probably appeared in the Black and White Army rumour mill section at some stage - as good a place to nick stuff from as any!

IN

Kirk Broadfoot:
The former Saint has found it hard to get a game at Rangers this season and has been linked with a loan move back to Rangers. He'll probably want to fight for his place though.

Lee Bullen: Has been linked with us a couple of times, although the club have denied it. Maybe he wants to come to the club that stole his first division trophy?

Stuart Duff: The Dundee United midfielder has been told he can leave. Saints, Aberdeen, Gretna and St. Johnstone all apparently want him.

Richie Foran: The former Motherwell striker hasn't done too well at Southend since signing for them this time last year. Is currently on loan at Darlington and may be willing to return to Scotland - if we can afford him.

Alan Gow: Like Broadfoot, he's found it hard to get a game at Rangers since his summer switch. Might be more willing to move.

Steven Lennon: Young Rangers player we were linked with in the summer. Could sign on loan.

Rory Loy: Another young Rangers player who has been linked with a loan move to Saints.

Brian McLean: The centre half hasn't featured much for Motherwell this season and would be a reasonable acquisition if he stayed fit.

Ian Murray: The former Hibs and Rangers player is currently out of favour at Norwich and they seem willing to let him move. However, with Hibs and Falkirk both apparently wanting him, he's unlikely to come to Love Street.

John Rankin: A fairly obvious one this. We've made offers and they've been refused. Saints are keen to get him from Caley Thistle, but apparently so are Falkirk, Aberdeen and Hibs.

OUT

Richard Brittain: Despite being injured, he could be loaned to Raith Rovers.

Mark Docherty: The young midfielder was loaned to Montrose last season and could be set to return there, with Elgin City also apparently interested.

Hugh Murray: He may be the club's longest serving player, but Shuggy has been linked with a move to Dundee. Also suggestions he'd be used in a deal to bring John Rankin to Love Street.

Craig Molloy: Possibility the midfielder could be loaned to Montrose to gain match fitness. St. Johnstone supposedly another option.

David van Zanten: Stories of a switch to Swansea City - which emerged in the summer - refuse to go away.

CONFIRMED

None, as it's the first one of the window. None of the rumours from the summer turned out to be true!

NOT HAPPENING

Chris Atkin:
Some Stirling Albion bloke. Didn't sign.

Alex Burke: There were suggestions Burke was leaving, with Partick Thistle and Queen of the South suggested as possible destinations. He ended up staying put.

Scott Cuthbert: Despite reasonably strong rumours, the young Celtic centre half didn't come to Love Street on loan.

Kenny Deuchar: Was loaned to St. Johnstone before returning to Gretna.

Mark de Vries: Ended up signing for Leeds United on loan.

Simon Donnelly: The midfielder stayed at Partick Thistle - a rumour that most folk thought was a load of nonsense anyway.

Rab Douglas: The former Celtic keeper signed for Wycombe.

Dougie Imrie: Despite him being a Clyde player, we didn't sign him!

John Kennedy: There was talk of a possible loan deal, but he stayed at Celtic.

Andy Kirk: The striker stayed at Northampton - a shame as he's doing quite well.

David Logue: Some random Kilmarnock youngster, move never materialised.

Gus MacPherson: There were claims he was going to Hearts in the summer. Utter mince.

Mark McAllister: Highly rated Irish striker, no sign of a move to Love Street.

Tcham N'Toya: Despite an impressive trial spell, we didn't sign this forward.

Jim O'Brien: Another young Celtic player that we didn't sign on loan.

Cillian Sheridan: yet another Celtic youngster we were rumoured to be after but didn't get. A shame as he's superb in Football Manager!

Gavin Swankie: Stayed with Dundee.

Stewart Wohlgemuth: A random player name that someone probably made up. Didn't sign.

That's all for now, hopefully I'll get round to doing another article just before the window closed with all the rumours of the last minute deals.