Saturday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Former Rangers director Paul Murray has warned the current board they will end up in court if they try to put the Scottish Championship club back into administration. (The Sun, print edition)

Hundreds of fans gathered outside of Ibrox Stadium before Friday's defeat by Hibernian as protests against the Rangers board were stepped up in the run-up to next month's extraordinary general meeting, with former players Nacho Novo and John Brown joining the demonstration. (The Herald)

West Ham United's players were pleased the club pulled the plug on the proposed signing of Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher from Manchester United because the proposed £75,000-per-week deal was £25,000 more than current captain Kevin Nolan. (Daily Mirror)

Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher is relishing his new challenge at West Bromwich Albion and has admitted that the transfer from Manchester United was just what he needed. (The Herald)

Darren Fletcher came close to joining West Ham before moving to West Brom

Preston North End are to increase security at Monday's FA Cup tie against Manchester United over fears that home supporters might confront Sir Alex Ferguson. (Daily Telegraph)

St Mirren's youth players have to come through tough initiation ceremonies involving eggs and X Factor singing competitions, defender Sean Kelly has revealed. (Daily Record, print edition)

Hamilton Academical signing Nigel Hasselbaink says he was treated like an outcast by Veria chairman Theodoros Karipidis, having been signed from St Johnstone by predecessor Georgios Arvanitidis two weeks before selling his stake in the Greek club. (Daily Record, print edition)

Stuart Armstrong says he and fellow midfielder Gary Mackay-Steven have been dubbed "Zig and Zag" by their new Celtic team-mates after they moved to Dundee United together on transfer deadline day. (The Scotsman)

While unlikely to be as extreme in his redeployment as Claudio Renieri during his time at Chelsea, Celtic manager Ronny Deila is poised to become Scottish football's version of the Tinkerman as he shuffles his squad to compete in four competitions in the coming weeks. (The Herald)

Inter Milan are facing a major defensive crisis ahead of next week's Europa League last-32 meeting with Celtic after former Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic became the sixth defender to be ruled out through injury. (The Herald, print edition)

Nemanja Vidic has been ruled out of the Europa League game against Celtic through injury

Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson believes the Scottish FA had to hand a retrospective two-match ban to Livingston's Jason Talbot for his reckless challenge on Sam Nicholson to protect the image of the Scottish game. (The Scotsman)

Aberdeen assistant manager Tony Docherty responded to St Mirren manager Gary Teale's suggestion that Kenny McLean lacked ambition by moving to Aberdeen in January, saying the midfielder is a "man with a plan" who will eventually make his way to English football. (The Herald)

Scotland midfielder Shaun Maloney is working so hard to try and make an impact at Chicago Fire that manager Frank Yallop has had to put the reins on his efforts in pre-season training. (The Herald)

Sacked manager Paul Lambert is expected to have an input into team selection for Aston Villa's FA Cup match against Leicester City after caretaker boss Scott Marshall said he would call his friend for advice. (Daily Mail, print edition)

Football fan Andrew Hughes was fined £200 after sending a barrage of threats and abuse to the Scottish FA because he was furious at a referee's handling of a top-flight game. (The Herald)

OTHER GOSSIP

Ryder Cup-winning captain Colin Montgomerie is calling on fellow golf fans to offer up their old clubs and kit to help newcomers take up the game, lending his support to a campaign pitched by Perth and Kinross Council. (The Scotsman)

Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning boxer Charlie Flynn will make the second appearance of his fledgling professional career against Nigerian journeyman Ideh Ochuko at the Thistle Hotel on 6 March. (The Herald)

Former world snooker champion Stephen Hendry has ruled himself out of a world championship return in April, but he is targeting a comeback next season. (Daily Express, print edition)

Carlton batsman Hamish Gardiner believes the World Cup can open the door to county cricket for the six home-based players in Scotland's 15-man squad. (The Scotsman)