Monday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Rangers striker Jon Daly claims Hearts players were "going down like they had been shot by snipers" in a bid to get his team-mates sent off during the Tynecastle outfit's crucial 2-0 triumph over the Ibrox men on Saturday. (Scottish Sun)

And Daly insists the Rangers squad need to up their game to help ease the pressure on under-fire manager Ally McCoist, after they slipped nine points behind Hearts in the Championship title race. (Daily Record)

Hearts fear left-back Kevin McHattie will be out for three months with a knee injury as a result of Kenny Miller's tackle on him at the weekend. (Various)

Robin van Persie was close to joining Rangers from Feyenoord when Dick Advocaat was manager

Jamie Walker, who scored a penalty in the win over Rangers, is now targeting victory over Celtic in the Scottish Cup. (Daily Record)

Former Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart reckons Rangers should learn lessons from the Tynecastle club on and off the pitch. (Scottish Sun)

A tribunal in December will determine the fee Dundee United must pay Rangers for 19-year-old midfielder Charlie Telfer. (Scottish Sun)

Celtic midfielder Beram Kayal is wanted by former club Maccabi Haifa, but the Israelis may have to wait until the summer to land their target. (Daily Record)

Barcelona superstar Xavi, who won the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain, says the Celtic fans are the most passionate he has ever played in front of. (Daily Record)

Celtic's Efe Ambrose insists it is easy to play against Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi, because the man regarded as the world's best player does not try to bully defenders. (Daily Record)

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has revealed he wanted to join Rangers when Dick Advocaat was boss, but the proposed £3m move fell through because the Ibrox side were unable to offload one of their players to fund the switch. (Daily Record)

Barca's Lionel Messi is not the most difficult player to face according to Celtic defender Efe Ambrose

St Mirren manager Tommy Craig, whose side are second bottom of the Premiership, level on points with rock-bottom Ross County, will be given time by the Buddies board to turn things around. (Scottish Sun)

And former Buddie Dougie Imrie is also backing Craig to become a success as St Mirren boss. (Various)

Salzburg's Brazilian forward Alan is in line to play against Celtic on Thursday in the Europa League after returning from injury at the weekend. (Scottish Sun)

Celtic defender Adam Matthews is convinced James Forrest holds the key to beating Salzburg, after the winger's excellent display in the win over Dundee on Saturday. (Scottish Sun)

But Matthews admits Celtic must improve when they take on the Austrians in Glasgow. (Daily Express)

Dundee defender James McPake cannot believe his side left Celtic Park with no points as he revealed his shock at how many chances his team created against the champions. (Scottish Sun)

Motherwell caretaker boss Kenny Black admits losing 3-1 to Inverness Caley Thistle "flattered" the Steelmen. (Scottish Sun)

Dundee United's Chris Erskine slated striker Nadir Ciftci for being greedy in the 3-1 win over Kilmarnock, but revealed the pair have already buried the hatchet. (Various)

St Johnstone winger Michael O'Halloran expressed his relief at scoring in the 2-1 triumph over Ross County, as he had taken pelters from team-mate Brian Graham for an earlier horror miss. (Scottish Sun)

Vern Cotter has used footage of Andy Murray to help inspire his Scotland rugby players

New Wigan manager Malky Mackay has pleaded with Shaun Maloney to stay at the DW Stadium, after watching the Scotland star net a glorious free-kick in the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough. (Scottish Sun)

Kilmarnock's Sammy Clingan has warned his team-mates that the club's former striker Kris Boyd could wreck their Scottish Cup dream when they face Rangers, despite his patchy form this season. (Scottish Sun)

Aberdeen striker Adam Rooney says there is much more to come from his side after they earned a 1-0 win over Partick Thistle on Sunday. (Various)

OTHER GOSSIP

Scotland lock Richie Gray hailed the national side's win over Tonga and insisted two wins from three autumn Tests proves Vern Cotter's charges are on the right track. (Scottish Sun)

And Duncan Weir reckons the autumn series sets Scotland up perfectly for next year's Six Nations tournament. (Daily Record)

Blair Cowan, who was man-of-the-match against Tonga, revealed head coach Cotter showed the squad footage of Scottish sporting stars Sir Chris Hoy and Andy Murray to help inspire them. (Scotsman)