Thursday's Scottish Gossip

For a list of confirmed transfers, check out the transfers page.

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Hibernian's Kevin Thomson has described as "laughable" suggestions he had a heated argument with assistant manager Maurice Malpas during training and that the fall-out is the reason for the midfielder's lack of first-team action.

Full story: The Herald

Dundee's new manager, Paul Hartley, and chief executive, Scot Gardiner, have both shot down conspiracy theories claiming that the former Scotland international had already been lined up to replace John Brown before the manager exited Dens Park earlier this week.

Full story: The Scotsman

Paul Hartley is fighting to keep his driving licence after pleading guilty to speeding, appearing in court in Hamilton hours before being revealed to the media as Dundee's new manager.

Full story: The Sun (print edition)

Darren Fletcher, the Manchester United midfielder who has not played for Scotland since 2012 after being struck down by a bowel condition, has stressed that he wishes to return to the national team on merit as he moves closer to a comeback against Poland in Warsaw next month.

Full story: The Scotsman

Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher's participation in Scotland's friendly with Poland in Warsaw next month is in doubt due to an Achilles problem that could require surgery.

Full story: The Herald

Costa Rica, who defeated Scotland at the 1990 World Cup finals, want to play Gordon Strachan's present side ahead of facing England at this summer's event in Brazil.

Full story: Daily Record (print edition)

Former Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo, who has been out of work since quitting as Lithuania coach, has applied for the vacancy at Scottish League One outfit Stenhousemuir.

Full story: The Sun

Eric Djemba-Djemba did not realise that Sir Alex Ferguson had been manager of St Mirren when he joined for the Paisley club, but the midfielder hopes the man he says changed his life by signing him for Manchester United will come watch him in the Scottish Premiership.

Full story: The Sun (print edition)

Rowan Vine, who has joined Morton after being released by Hibernian, missed his first training session with the Championship club after putting the wrong fuel in his car and breaking down on the M8.

Full story: The Scotsman

Alloa Athletic are keen to sign former Rangers striker Nacho Novo, who has been released by Championship rivals Morton.

Full story: Daily Express (print edition)

In what may set a precedent, a boys club - Musselburgh Windsor - have made a complaint to Scottish Football Association compliance officer Vincent Lunny about the non-payment of compensation money allegedly owed for players signed by Hearts and Rangers.

Full story: The Herald

OTHER GOSSIP

Chris Fusaro, the 24-year-old Glasgow Warriors flanker, looks set to make his international debut for Scotland in Saturday's Calcutta Cup match with England at Murrayfield, replacing captain Kelly Brown, who is likely to drop out of the match-day squad altogether.

Full story: The Herald

Golfer Paul Lawrie says he might have to forgo watching his beloved Aberdeen play Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish League Cup final on 16 March because he will need to be playing a tournament in Morocco in order to gather Ryder Cup qualification points.

Full story: The Scotsman

This year's Scottish Open winner will receive one of the coveted spots in the Volvo World Match Play Championship when it returns to Britain after a seven-year absence.

Full story: The Scotsman