I do. I suspect an unhealthy proportion of it is placed in the media by agents, looking to get a profile [and hard cash] for their client. How would that work though? It would be Quite easy in practise. Lazy mainstream journalists, get a call from an agent alleging Blah Blah is interesting Blah FC. The journalist [in the loosest possible definition of the word] has a ready made story, often complete with quotes from the player or the agent and the players name is in the papers to generate interest in possible suitors. Not that Blah FC were ever likely to be one.

 Which brings us neatly to "Hibs transfer target" Luke Rodgers.

Recently in the Edinburgh Evening News http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=663342005 Rod Petrie insisted he had "never heard" of Mark Cartwright, the agent who claims Hibs are interested in signing Shrewsbury striker Luke Rodgers as a replacement for striker Riordan. In addition, Tony Mowbray claimed he had never even had the player scouted. I don't suppose he is likely have him scouted now, either.

Talking of Shrewsbury, which we weren't, quite possibly the only player to have played for both Hibernian and Shrewsbury Town is Doug Bell who was signed by the worst manager in Hibs history in December 1986. "He used to be a Hun, but he's alright now, Doug Bell, Doug Bell" used to reverberate around ER for a couple of weeks back then. His full career record can be found at http://www.oncloudseven.com/bell-d.htm , which is spookily enough a Hull City website, where Doug played 4 games. You learn something new every day: "[Dougie] remains well known in Scotland for his hell-raising tendencies as a young man." If anyone can fill us in on this please get in touch:

Crewe Alexandria fans will be breathing a sigh of relief with the recent news that Colin Murdock has rejected a new one year contract. Murdock was alleged to have "impressed" since he joined up with Dario Gradi, but Gradi suspects his future might lie elsewhere: "He's hoping he'll maybe get a better offer somewhere - a longer contract with more money". Plymouth Argyle fans are believed to be extremely worried that the longer contract and more money might be coming from their direction.

Recently Colin Murdock refused to play for his country, in friendly against Germany. As international bust ups go, this was boring. Murdock, along with three other players refused to play because they were out of contract, and therefore uninsured. The best insurance the IFA could offer was cover for 13 weeks, and the players decided that playing for their country was an unacceptable risk. Most Hibs fans concluded playing Colin Murdock was an unacceptable risk ages ago. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/4082250.stm

Heart of Midlothianski do not appear to be in a position to name their new football coach yet. It must still be Lithuanian Trades Holiday.

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