Saturday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Celtic manager Ronny Deila hopes to keep defender Jason Denayer beyond the end of his loan from Manchester City, which ends at the end of the season. (Daily Express)

Ryan Gauld has been caught in the crossfire of a row at Sporting Lisbon amid claims the midfielder was signed from Dundee United behind the manager's back. (Scottish Sun, print edition)

United goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak revealed having his family over from Poland to watch the Tangerines beat Celtic was the highlight of his Christmas. (Daily Record)

Steven MacLean, who scored St Johnstone's second in their 2-0 win over Dundee United in May's Scottish Cup final, is eager for a start against the Tannadice side on Saturday after several months out with a knee injury. (Herald)

MacLean was a Scottish Cup final hero for Saints last season

Rangers captain Lee McCulloch expects Ally McCoist to return to management after being put on gardening leave following three-and-a-half years in charge at Ibrox. (Scotsman)

And McCulloch believes McCoist could be a success in English football. (Daily Mail)

Hibernian manager Alan Stubbs has warned his players to beware a wounded Rangers when the two sides meet at lunchtime on Saturday. (Scotsman)

Watford and Scotland winger Ikechi Anya has not spoken to anyone about joining Celtic but has not ruled such a move out. (Herald)

Anya has become a regular in the Scotland side

Scotland coach Gordon Strachan admits he was much more demanding as a club manager. (Daily Mail)

Meanwhile, Strachan hopes to use fewer fringe players in the coming year, saying: "It's soul-destroying being in a hotel for ten days away from your family and not getting a strip on." (Scotsman)

Celtic boss Ronny Deila has turned to golf and tennis after one of his predecessors, Strachan, advised him to find ways to "switch off" from the pressures of the job. (Daily Record)

Stefan Scepovic admits he is looking at the calendar each day as he counts down the days to the Scottish League Cup semi-final meeting with Rangers on 1 February. (Herald)

Scott Brown has amassed 300 club appearances since joining Celtic in 2007

Captain Scott Brown has reached 300 appearances for Celtic but insists he does not deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as others who have reached the milestone, such as Henrik Larsson and Kenny Dalglish. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP

Glasgow Warriors have offered Scotland international Henry Pyrgos a lucrative long-term contract to prevent him following fellow scrum-half Niko Matawalu in leaving at the end of the season. (Daily Mail, print edition)