Gillingham linked with move for Ross County striker Ronan Hale and latest on Wigan loan winger Jonny Smith

Gillingham are being linked with players in Scotland - with reports of one bid being rejected.

The Gills are one of the clubs understood to be trailing 12-goal Northern Irish international striker Ronan Hale, and according to the Daily Record, they’ve had a five-figure sum rejected by his club Ross County.

The Highlanders are struggling this season, and are at the bottom of the Scottish Championship, but it hasn’t stopped Hale from making an impact.

His 12 goals in all competitions have grabbed the attention of numerous teams, and that could mean the Gills facing a battle, as fellow League 2 side Salford City are also reportedly interested in him.

Ross County boss Stuart Kettlewell will want to keep hold of the striker in a bid to beat the drop. The forward has another 18 months on his contract.

Belfast-born Hale made his first appearance for the senior Northern Ireland team in the summer, having played for Republic of Ireland at youth level.

He was at Birmingham City as a teenager before moving back home and playing for Crusaders, then onto League of Ireland side St Patrick’s Athletic and returning to the Irish Premiership with Larne. Two years at Cliftonville was followed by a move to Scotland, joining a Ross side in July 2024 who were then an SPL side, agreeing a three-year contract.

He scored 17 goals during their season in the Scottish Premiership, which ended in relegation. Wigan and Reading were reportedly interested last summer but were warned they would need to push the boat out to make a deal happen.

Gillingham’s managing director Joe Comper said earlier this week that they wouldn’t be paying over the odds for any player during the January transfer window.

The club have also just revealed their yearly accounts,