Wednesday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Scotland's chaotic World Cup campaign screeched to a halt in Brussels - and so did Craig Levein's reign as coach following the 2-0 defeat by Belgium.

Full story: Daily Record

Tartan Army members have called for Scotland coach Craig Levein to be axed after his side's World Cup qualification dreams died with a 2-0 defeat in Belgium.

Full story: The Sun

Gary Caldwell says Craig Levein should not be discarded as Scotland coach and the team is not in disarray despite the defender admitting that the 2-0 defeat in Belgium had ended their World Cup qualification hopes.

Full story: The Sun

Scotland's 2-0 defeat by Belgium means Craig Levein's side have equalled the country's worst start to a World Cup qualifying campaign - the bid to reach the Germany 2006 finals under Berti Vogs.

Full story: The Sun

Hard-up Hearts have told the bulk of their first team - up to 12 players - that they will have to wait again to get their wages after their monthly salaries failed to be paid yesterday.

Full story: Daily Express

Hearts are already under a transfer embargo following last month's delay in paying player salaries.

Full story: Daily Mail

Hearts have been ordered to explain themselves to the Scottish Premier League after the club failed to pay player wages in full for a second successive month.

Full story: The Sun

Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama's agent says it would be premature to say the midfielder is close to an agreement over a new contract, despite the 21-year-old being offered an extension beyond the summer of 2014.

Full story: Daily Express

Celtic defender Efe Ambrose could miss five of his club's matches at the turn of the year after helping Nigeria qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Full story: Daily Mail

Inverness Caledonian Thistle forward Richie Foran will miss Friday's trip to face Dundee, but his knee injury will not require surgery as first feared.

Full story: The Sun

Ross County manager Derek Adams plans to slash wages from his squad budget to release funds for new signings in January.

Full story: The Herald

Queen's Park are likely to ditch plans to move to Partick Thistle's Firhill Stadium during the refurbishment of Hampden Park for the 2014 Commonwealth Games - and instead choose Airdrie United's Excelsior Stadium - because of the possibility of their Glasgow rivals being promoted to the Scottish Premier League, which frowns on groundsharing.

Full story: The Scotsman

Scottish striker Gary Twigg has opted to end his prolific spell with Irish champions Shamrock Rovers after rejecting the offer of a new contract, citing family reasons.

Full story: Daily Express

Dagenham and Redbridge have offered a trial to former Hibernian and Motherwell goalkeeper Graeme Smith, who left Azerbaijan club Gabala at the end of last season.

Full story: Daily Express

OTHER GOSSIP

Former British number one Elena Baltacha has decided not to quit tennis, the 29-year-old saying that she has realised during a couple of months out of action to undergo foot surgery that she wants to play again.

Full story: The Scotsman

Glasgow will face opposition from Buenos Aires, Guadalajara, Medellin and Rotterdam in the bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

Full story: The Scotsman

James Anderson, the 49-year-old six-time Paralympic swimming champion, is to retire next month.

Full story: The Herald