Falkirk want Elliot

FALKIRK manager John Hughes will learn later this week if he has been successful in a loan move for Hearts striker Calum Elliot.

The forward - who helped Scotland reach the European Under-19 Championship final in Poland last month - has been told he can temporarily leave Tynecastle, despite stating his first match of the season in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Rangers.
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Dunfermline, Motherwell and Gretna have all been linked with Elliot, 19, but Hearts are thought to be keen on him joining Falkirk as they believe Hughes' commitment to a passing style would aid his development.

Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas is likely to release the marksman - who netted six goals last term - after Wednesday's Champions League third qualifying round second leg against AEK Athens.

Hughes, desperate to boost his striking options, said: "Calum is young, hungry, a good footballer and has a great attitude.

I've been in this position numerous times over the close season and it's gone pear-shaped. But I'll be sitting with my fingers crossed."

Meanwhile, Rangers could be ready to offload Gavin Rae, with Championship strugglers Sunderland linked with the midfielder.

Niall Quinn, the Wearside club's manager/chairman, is under pressure after seeing his side plummet to the foot of the table after four straight defeats from as many games. He is keen to strengthen his side and Rae is understood to be in his thoughts.

The Scotland international is now completely fit after a succession of knee injuries, but

has yet to figure under Paul Le Guen and was on the substitutes' bench again during the 2-0 weekend victory over Hearts.

The 28-year-old, signed by Alex McLeish from Dundee for a cut-price £250,000 three years ago, may be tempted to the Stadium of Light as he seeks first-team football to continue to figure in Walter Smith's international plans.

Quinn would even take the powerful Rae on a season-long loan and Le Guen may give the move the go-ahead. Rae has made only 14 starts during his injury-plagued stay at Ibrox.

Nacho Novo is also expected to quit Rangers for the Championship, with Preston a likely destination. The Spanish striker has been told he can leave by Le Guen and Paul Simpson, the new Preston manager, is interested.

Novo netted only three goals last season - and one of those was a penalty-kick against Celtic. He hasn't scored since his effort against Falkirk on 10 September.

Novo was signed from Dundee by Alex McLeish two years ago after rejecting the chance to go to Celtic, but will be allowed to move on for a fee of around £250,000.

Le Guen admitted: "Nacho must think about leaving, but it will depend on the offers."

The 27-year-old who netted 25 goals in his first campaign at Ibrox, including the goal against Hibs on the final day of the 2004/5 season that clinched the SPL title for Rangers.

Taken from the Scotsman