Friday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Ally McCoist is clinging to his job as Rangers manager despite losing the support of a faction of the club's board, with brothers Sandy and James Easdale leading calls for his removal at a cost of nearly £1.5m following the Petrofac Training Cup semi-final defeat by Alloa Athletic. (Daily Record)

Most Rangers supporters now believe Ally McCoist's last great act in the club's service would be to stand down as manager. (The Herald)

Only the personal intervention of Mike Ashley, the Newcastle United owner who wields financial muscle at Rangers, will oust Ally McCoist because the manager has no intention of quitting and the club does not have the funds to remove him. (Daily Record)

Livingston manager John McGlynn has admitted that the board of directors at Almondvale are cursing their luck after Rangers' Petrofac Training Cup semi-final defeat by Alloa Athletic because the cash-strapped West Lothian outfit were anticipating a potentially lucrative final to bolster their finances. (The Herald)

Midfielder Charlie Telfer says winning the Scottish Professional Football League Young Player of the Month Award for November proves he was right to leave Rangers and join Dundee United in the summer. (The Herald)

Celtic are tracking the progress of Nigerian striker Olaranwaju Kayode, the 21-year-old presently with Maccabi Netanya who has also attracted interest from Standard Liege. (Daily Record, print edition)

Scotsman Alan Irvine is under pressure as manager of West Brom

Fraser Forster believes his summer move to Southampton from Celtic has given him the platform to dislodge Manchester City's Joe Hart, 27, as first-choice England goalkeeper. (Times - subscription required)

West Brom manager Alan Irvine has been reassured by chairman Jeremy Peace he is not one game away from the sack despite fan anger during this week's defeat by West Ham. (Daily Mirror)

St Mirren manager Tommy Craig believes he still has the support of the Scottish Premiership club's board despite seven games without a win and a Scottish Cup exit. (The Scotsman, print edition)

Scottish football could begin moves to permit the sale of ­alcohol inside stadiums after Stewart Regan, chief executive of the Scottish Football Association, admitted that talks with Police Scotland have already taken place. (The Scotsman)

Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan has admitted the Scottish game is not "in the best of places in terms of customer experience" and admits his organisation will re-examine Scottish Cup fixture scheduling in light of poor attendances at the weekend. (The Scotsman)

Falkirk are considering taking Ostersunds striker Taylor Morgan on loan after the 24-year-old Englishman impressed on trial from the Swedish club. (Daily Express, print edition)

OTHER GOSSIP

Commonwealth Games lightweight gold medallist Charlie Flynn will make his professional debut against English opposition when he faces the vastly experienced journeyman, Ibrar Riyaz, on the Morrison Promotions, Thistle Hotel Show, in nine days' time. (The Herald)

Uddingston could have unearthed a future Scotland cricket star after signing Anwar Hafeez for next summer, with the Pakistan-born all-rounder who has played first-class cricket in his homeland being expected to be granted "Scottish" status through residency. (Daily Record, print edition)