Summer 2006 Rumour Mill Issue 1

Last updated : 17 May 2006 By Stuart Gillespie
The idea of the Rumour Mill 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. Make sense?

As this is the first for a while, I'll include details of players we were linked with in January.

IN

Charlie Adam:
It was always likely we'd be linked with a move for Adam, either a permanent deal or another loan signing. Unlikely though, as he wants to stay at Ibrox.

Garry Brady: It's a tradition that Saints are linked with players from Dundee, and the summer seems to be no different. Midfielder Brady is one of a few players we're apparently interested in, although it's unlikely we'll sign him.

Tom Brighton: Clyde forward Brighton is out of contract and Saints are apparently one of a number of clubs chasing his services. The left sided player might not be a bad signing and scored a lot of goals last season. Could the former Rangers kid handle the SPL?

Richard Brittain: This move is unlikely as Livingston would be due money for their out of contract captain, and he would want high wages. However, SPL football might be enough to tempt him and he could prove to be a decent signing.

Paul di Giacomo: Would be a good signing simply because he has a cool name. The forward has spent the last few years troubled by injury and is similar to the likes of Stewart Kean, so it's unlikely we'll sign him.

Gary Holt: The midfielder will be friends with some of the Saints backroom staff after spending time at Kilmarnock, and could do a job in midfield. However, as with most players, he'll probably be after far too much money.

Andy Lawrie: Saints boss Gus MacPherson has denied his interested in Lawrie, but how many times has he done that with players in the past? With David van Zanten almost certain to leave, he may be seen as the ideal replacement, even though he's not very good.

Jim Lauchlan: Dear god no! The donkey has been linked with a move to Love Street, but Queen of the South want him too. Hopefully they'll get him!

Simon Lynch: Lynch scored lots of goals for a poor Dundee side last season and may just be able to do a job for us in the SPL. Dundee fans don't rate him, but they didn't rate John Sutton either.

Neil Macfarlane: The perfect replacement for Andy Millen. Not even in his thirties and not wanted by Aberdeen, Macfarlane would be a great signing if we could get him. Sadly, we're not the only ones who want him.

David MacNamee: A fantastic signing if it came off, and the perfect replacement for van Zanten. However, he's highly rated and we probably wouldn't be the only side looking to take him from Livingston. Also, Gus is against bringing former Saints back.

Dean McDonald: Never heard of this guy until recently. A young midfielder with Ipswich Town, would probably be a loan deal as they recently rejected an offer for him of £75k!

Derek McInnes: Another one Gus has denied involvement with, and it looks like he may end up at St. Johnstone. However, he may be seen as the ideal replacement for Andy Millen, and is apparently desperate to sign for us.

Nacho Novo: This one somehow made the PDE! Somehow I think his wages may be slightly outwith our price range.

Lea Peacock: An experienced striker, currently with Swindon Town, and a local boy. Could do a job, but would probably be after quite a bit of cash.

Alex Rae: The ancient midfielder is on the look out for a new club, but will be after massive amounts of money and is also being linked with the Dundee manager's job. Extremely unlikely to sign.

John Rankin: We didn't get him in January, but chances are we'll be back in for Ross County midfielder this summer. He won the Player of the Year award for the first division for last season, and is apparently desperate to step up to the SPL. Could be a good replacement for Charlie Adam.

Neil Scally: Midfielder Scally has been released by Falkirk, which has immediately turned me off to the idea of signing him. If he's not good enough for them, he probably isn't good enough for us. Is a local lad and no transfer would need to be paid.

Gavin Strachan: Son of Celtic manager Gordon, the midfielder was linked with us a few months ago. Has spent a few spells on loan in Scotland and was unimpressive, whether he has improved since then remains to be seen.

OUT

David van Zanten:
Not a rumour, pretty much a certainty. His contract expired yesterday and it looks like he won't be signing a new one. Several SPL clubs are apparently after Vanzy.

CONFIRMED

None, as there have been no new signings or major departures since January.

NOT HAPPENING

Bobby Mann:
The big defender is still at Dundee.

Scott Muirhead: Probably wasn't ever any chance of him coming to us, but he signed for Aberdeen in January.

Barry Smith: The veteran Dundee midfielder has signed for a club in Iceland, so definitely won't be coming to us.

That's your lot for the moment; several players being linked with us but few, if any, will probably sign.