Thursday's Scottish Gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Former captain Gary McAllister is backing Scotland to reach Euro 2016 under manager Gordon Strachan. (Various)

Ex-England manager Glenn Hoddle says Ikechi Anya could have been a Scotland start four years ago if the SFA had not ignored his tip-off. (Daily Express)

Everton's Steven Naismith aims to hold on to the central striker's role for Scotland after an impressive display against Macedonia. (Daily Mail)

And Scotland manager Gordon Strachan is warning that players who missed the win in Skopje that they will find it hard to get back into his team. (Sun)

Scotland are expected to play USA in a November friendly at Hampden. (Various)

PFA Scotland chairman John Rankin wants an ex-player to sit on future disciplinary panels. (Various)

Aberdeen are to assess the ankle injury Niall McGinn picked up on international duty with Northern Ireland, with the forward a doubt for Saturday's meeting with Partick Thistle. (Daily Express)

And Celtic defender Mikael Lustig may be struggling for Saturday's trip to Hearts after missing Sweden's win over Kazakhstan with a back injury. (Sun)

Inverness CT skipper Richie Foran used his SPFL player of the month award to give special thanks to the club's assistant manager Maurice Malpas. (Various)

St Johnstone midfielder David Robertson is close to a comeback after nearly 10 months on the sidelines with a broken leg. (Various)

Teenage midfielder Lewis Vaughan has been given a three-year contract at Raith Rovers. (Scotsman)

Former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is the favourite to become the next Republic of Ireland manager. (Various)

OTHER GOSSIP

Scottish Rugby Union representatives at the talks on the future of the Heineken Cup remain hopeful the tournament can be saved after threats of a breakaway from French and English clubs. (Herald)

London Scottish are seeking a new head coach just days before the start of the season after director of rugby Simon Armor left to become England's Sevens coach. (Scotsman)