ST MIRREN boss Gus MacPherson will this week step up his bid to land Livingston captain James McPake.

The Paisley club have already had a £50,000 bid for the 23-year-old stopper knocked back by the First Division outfit.

But MacPherson believes the defender could develop into a top player and is ready to return with an improved offer this week.

McPake has also been attracting the interest of several SPL clubs. Kilmarnock opened up their campaign with a 1-0 win over Hibs.

Jamie Hamill's strike secured Jim Jefferies' side victory and the Rugby Park gaffer said: "A few more performances and wins like that will shut up the people tipping us for relegation.

"It looked like it would only take one goal to win it and it was one fit to win any game."

New signing from Parma Manuel Pascali impressed in his competitive debut and stepped into defence after Simon Ford went off injured.

"He was a bit pumped up," said Jefferies after the Italian was booked within five minutes, "but he calmed and gave an assured performance." At Pittodrie, Caley Thistle managed to beat Aberdeen for the first time in their history with a 2-0 win. Stories in today's English papers Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has refused to rule out a move for Barcelona striker Thierry Henry. AC Milan's Brazil star Kaka is set to join Chelsea this month in a world-record £78m deal. Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has decided he will see out the remaining two years on his contract at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal considering moves for Udinese's Gokhan Portsmouth to sign £6m defender Younes Kaboul from Spurs today. Everton are close to signing Brazilian striker Vagner Love from CSKA Moscow and Newcastle's Alan Smith. Man City boss Mark Hughes is fuming after the club tried to sell Vedran Corluka and Stephen Ireland behind his back. Stoke want to sign 6ft 8in Valencia hitman Nikola Zigic.