Thursday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Cash-strapped Rangers have cancelled Christmas at Ibrox, with non-executive director Derek Llambias sending an email to staff telling them there will be none of the usual seasonal gifts and no party this year. (Daily Record)

Former Queen's Park coach Billy Ogilvie has hit out at Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson over his anger at having to pay £204,000 for Charlie Telfer, insisting the Tannadice chief was happy to take advantage of the Spiders' amateur status by signing Barry Douglas for free. (Scottish Sun)

Celtic manager Ronny Deila wants to keep Cardiff City target Anthony Stokes, but says the Irishman has to improve his fitness if he wants to become a hero at the club. (Daily Record)

Stromsgodset's Martin Odegaard is one of the most sought after talents in European football

Stefan Johansen has urged fellow-Norwegian Martin Odegaard to join him at Celtic, with Real Madrid among the clubs to be tracking the 15-year-old Stromsgodset sensation. (Various)

And Johansen would love to meet Liverpool in the knockout phase of the Europa League as his uncles are huge fans of the Reds. (Various)

Dinamo Zagreb manager Zoran Mamic insists his players should be willing to put their lives on the line when they meet Celtic in the Europa League on Thursday night. (Daily Record)

Former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov reckons the collapse of Rangers has hit Celtic hard in terms of their readiness to compete on the European stage. (Various)

Alloa manager Barry Smith insists he will not make the first move to become the next boss of St Mirren. (Various)

Motherwell have been left shocked by Terry Butcher's decision to pull out of the running to become their new manager. (Daily Mail)

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan has revealed the governing body have quizzed current national boss Gordon Strachan, and former Scotland managers Walter Smith and Andy Roxburgh about who should be the next performance director. (Daily Record)

Dundee manager Paul Hartley has his January transfer wish-list prepared, and signing in-form striker David Clarkson on a longer term deal is his top priority. (Various)

James McFadden is set to be rested for St Johnstone's match at Rugby Park this weekend

Aberdeen striker David Goodwillie is not thinking too much about his future at the club, with his deal running out in the summer, and is instead focussing fully on his game. (Various)

St Johnstone are ready to rest James McFadden on Saturday because they fear the artificial surface at Rugby Park could prove a problem for his fragile knee. (Daily Record)

Albion Rovers manager Darren Young, who won the League Two manager of the month award, says his heart went out to sacked St Mirren manager Tommy Craig, who was his coach at Aberdeen. (Daily Record)

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson reckons his side are due a few "dodgy calls" from referees, insisting his troops have been on the wrong end of a few recently. (Daily Record)

Bolton are keen to tie manager Neil Lennon down on a new contract in order to fend off potential interest from Leicester City. (Daily Record)

Nicky Clark is determined to get among the goals again when he returns to Palmerston on Friday night

Hibs manager Alan Stubbs has confirmed the club have been watching Stranraer duo David Mitchell and Jackson Longridge. (Scottish Sun)

Rangers striker Nicky Clark hopes returning to a familiar ground will help him hit the goal trail, as the Ibrox men prepare to face Queen of the South on Friday night. (Daily Mail)

Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam wants to land a move abroad in order to boost his chances of a Scotland recall. (Star)

OTHER GOSSIP

Glasgow Warriors' Jonny Gray says his side cannot afford to fall foul of referee Wayne Barnes if they are to see off Toulouse in the European Champions Cup on Saturday. (Daily Record)

And Gray admits he is thrilled at the prospect of facing Thierry Dusautoir at Scotstoun, a player he grew up idolising. (Daily Mail)