Levein attempts to poach Hull's Stewart away from England
Scotland manager wants promising young winger to switch his national allegiances
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Your support makes all the difference.Craig Levein is trying to convince Hull City's talented winger Cameron Stewart to opt to play for Scotland rather than England.
The Scotland manager is interested in recruiting the 20-year-old former Manchester United youth player, who has already represented England from under-17 to under-20 level. As Stewart's mother is Scottish, Levein hopes to persuade him to make the switch.
"We have spoken to Cameron," Levein said yesterday. "Mick Oliver [the Scotland team scout] has done a lot of the work and we're keeping an eye on him. There's an ongoing dialogue. It's just a matter of watching him and seeing how he's doing. He's made us aware he'd be interested.
"Cameron's playing regularly for Hull, but he had an injury when he was out for a long time. We're just monitoring him right now, but he's definitely one we know about."
Stewart spent nine months on the sidelines with a cruciate knee injury before scoring on his return to action in Nick Barmby's first game in charge of the Championship club. He was named in a Scotland under-17 squad in 2008 but did not take up the offer and even though he has played for England he could switch for either Scotland Under-21s or the senior squad.
Rangers, meanwhile, have received an offer from West Ham United for striker Nikica Jelavic.
Ibrox manager Ally McCoist confirmed at the weekend that informal talks regarding Jelavic had taken place between chairman Craig Whyte and his West Ham counterpart David Sullivan.
The Hammers have now followed up their interest in the 26-year-old with a firm bid. Although the figures involved are unconfirmed, it has been widely reported the east London club tabled £7m. Rangers previously rejected an offer of £6.5m from Leicester for the striker in August.
"[West Ham manager] Sam Allardyce and I have spoken on the phone and had a conversation which will remain private," McCoist said yesterday, speaking before the bid had been tabled.
"Craig [Whyte] has also spoken to Mr Sullivan and they have had a discussion too which Craig has told me about."
David Healy and Kirk Broadfoot have also been the subject of transfer speculation this month.
McCoist added: "The key message with the likes of Nikica, David and Kirk is that they are all integral members of our squad and hopefully that will remain the case."
Jelavic has been quoted in a number of newspapers expressing interest in a move to West Ham but also claiming he would be happy to remain with the Scottish champions.
He was quoted as saying: "West Ham are a great club; they are not a second division club. They are a famous Premier League club who happened to be relegated last season and will return to the Premier League next season.
"It would be nice to play there if the opportunity comes up and the club agrees. But I am also playing at a big club and it wouldn't bother me in the least if I had to stay here."
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