Monday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Blackpool are on the verge of appointing Dundee United boss Peter Houston as their new manager. (Daily Record)

Responding to the notion of Rangers and Celtic playing in the English Premier League, its chief executive Richard Scudamore says "it's simply not going to happen". (Daily Express, The Sun)

Celtic manager Neil Lennon says he has enough on his plate and would prefer not to continue answering questions from the media about Rangers. (Various)

And Lennon tells Rangers chief executive Charles Green to stop dragging Celtic into his problems. (Various)

Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew believes having to leave the club in 2006 for spells at Wolves and Aberdeen has made him appreciate "how good a club Celtic really is". (Various)

Norwich City are eyeing a move for Celtic striker Gary Hooper, 24, after boss Chris Hughton admitted that he needs more fire-power.

Full story: The Guardian

Ross County captain Richard Brittain insists he will give it everything to make sure the Staggies remain in the Scottish Premier League before he joins St Johnstone in the summer. (Various)

Rangers midfielder Kyle Hutton believes having to play the same teams again next season in the bottom tier of Scottish football would have a negative effect on the Ibrox dressing room. (Daily Record)

Rangers shareholder and Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is close to agreeing a £2.5m deal with the Glasgow club to rename Ibrox Stadium. (Daily Record)

Cowdenbeath say the meeting to be held on 31 January, where clubs will vote on plans to change the leagues to a 12-12-18 structure, will be pointless unless the finer details of its impact are given to the clubs. (Daily Record)

Peterhead manager Jim McInally urges supporters of Third Division clubs to take Scottish football authorities to court if the 12-12-18 proposal goes ahead, because fans will have been paying "good money for something that would become a non-event".

Full story: The Scotsman

OTHER GOSSIP

Andre Agassi backs Andy Murray to lift his second major at the Australian Open. (Daily Mail)

Paisley boxer Kris Carslaw criticises referee Giustino di Giovanni for failing to punish WBO European champion Michel Soro for the use of elbows and his head in his successful defence of his title at Le Cannet at the weekend. (Daily Mail)