Thursday's Scottish Gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Hearts will press ahead with talks involving their soon to be out-of-contract players now that a deal to exit administration is nearing completion. (Various)

Players' union boss Fraser Wishart gives huge credit to administrator Bryan Jackson for his handling of the crisis at Tynecastle. (Sun)

Former Hearts skipper Steven Pressley is delighted his old club are on the brink of safety but warns of further tough times ahead and says all future decisions must be made with the "head not the heart". (Daily Record)

And former Hearts legend Donald Ford warns it will take years to rebuild the Edinburgh club. (Daily Mail)

Dundee director John Nelms has confirmed Everton are interested in using Dundee as a feeder club for emerging talent. (Sun)

Hibernian striker Paul Heffernan will miss the rest of the season with a groin injury but defender James McPake could play some part in the run-in, having been out with a back injury since October. (Various)

Scotland U21s are now level on points with third-placed Georgia in their European qualifying group after the Georgians were docked points for fielding a suspended player. (Sun)

Dundee United's Paul Paton voted for St Johnstone striker Stevie May as young player of the year but reckons team-mate Andy Robertson should take the prize. (Various)

Aberdeen goalkeeper Jamie Langfield reckons finishing second in the league would equal the club's League Cup triumph. (Sun)

The coaching staff and players at Ross County are helping to pay for free coach travel for fans visiting Hearts at the weekend. (Various)

Former Hibs skipper Jackie McNamara snr is warning his old team to avoid the play-offs at all costs - because it was his worst experience in footbal. (Various)

Kilmarnock boss Allan Johnston believes it is the teams with the biggest characters that will avoid the dreaded 11th spot in the Premiership. (Various)

Celtic could play a friendly with Liverpool next month on the island of Mauritius. (Various)

Rangers midfielder Nicky Law says he can't wait to go abroad on holiday so he can get away from fans who keep telling him the team are rubbish. (Various)

Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell is determined to force his way into the Scotland squad for the Euro 2016 qualifiers. (Sun)

Former Dundee manager Jocky Scott, 66, is being linked with Highland League clubs Turriff United and Cove Rangers. (Daily Record)