Hutton makes his mind up, and says no to Spurs

It was reported last night that Rangers and Scotland right-back Alan Hutton had turned down a move to White Hart Lane. It is believed Rangers were offered £6m plus Wayne Routledge but it was thought that Hutton decided to remain north of the border, at least for the time being. Rumours had it that the deal may not have been completely dead but it has since been reported on Glasgow Rangers' official website that the player has rejected the move.

That Ramos targeted the right sided Hutton raises serious questions over the future of Pascal Chimbonda. Speculation linked the Frenchman with a move to Chelsea in the summer but that has since died down. It is believed, however, that our London rivals interest unsettled the former Wigan man and given his not particularly glorious track-record when it comes to loyalty, the news that he may want a move away from the club hardly comes as a surprise.

Losing our first choice right back is yet another defensive headache Ramos can ill afford. Chimbonda enjoyed a successful first year at the club but, along with his counterparts in our defence, he has been found wanting at key moments this season. He still has the talent, as does Dawson, but what our defence lacks is a real leader, because it's no good teaching players on the training ground to mark and defend when there is no one on the pitch willing to step and organise from corners and free-kicks. Depressingly, our fallibility from set-pieces is laughable and we will continue to throw away points, as we did against Aston Villa, until the problem is dealt with.

The transfer window is barely four days old and it already seems inevitable that Daniel Levy will be forced to add to his list of "essential business" this January.