Thursday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Motherwell are considering a move for former Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels, presently director of the Forth Valley Football Academy after a short spell with Greenock Morton, as they seek to fill the managerial vacancy created by Stuart McCall's resignation. (The Scotsman)

Celtic striker Anthony Stokes has hit back at Hearts owner Ann Budge, who criticised the Glasgow club's fans for their behaviour at Tynecastle on Sunday, saying the sectarian abuse he endured was the worst he had ever experienced. (Daily Record)

Celtic manager Ronny Deila admitted his team were some way short of their best in beating Partick Thistle 1-0 on Wednesday but believes they will now stretch away from their pursuers in the Scottish Premiership. (The Scotsman)

Ronny Deila claimed playing three games in seven days, and four in the last 12, had caught up with his Celtic team as they eased aside Partick Thistle. (The Herald)

The Scottish Professional Football League will collect a £1m windfall at the expense of Rangers should the Glasgow club be forced into the promotion play-offs because of a rule that entitles the governing body to 50% of gate receipts for those matches. (The National, print edition)

Former Aberdeen striker Arild Stavrum has called on football agents and officials to be pursued and investigated as thoroughly as politicians when they are accused of corruption. (The Herald)

Helmut Sandrock, the general secretary of the Deutscher Fussball-Bund, has urged Scotland's administrators to copy the three-point Bundesliga blueprint to football success - safe standing areas, modest ticket pricing and selling alcohol within stadia. (The Herald)

Tony McGlennan, the Scottish Football Association compliance officer, has decided not to take any action against Jim Jefferies, the Dunfermline Athletic manager, who was sent to the stand during Saturday's Scottish Cup 2-2 fourth-round draw at Stranraer. (The Herald)

OTHER GOSSIP

Scotland forward Richie Gray looks likely to be out of action until the new year after suffering concussion in Castres' defeat by Racing Metro at the weekend. (Daily Record, print edition)

Professional footballers and cricketers are three times more likely to have a gambling problem than other young men - and the problem is worse if they are on lower incomes, according to new research announced at the Professional Players' Federation conference in Edgbaston. (The Scotsman)