Monday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

A support network is already being constructed around Paul McGowan at Dundee with the midfielder facing a possible spell in prison next month having pled guilty last week to a charge of kicking a police officer, his third conviction for an offence of this nature. (The Herald)

After Rangers' defeat of Hibernian secured the Scottish Championship title for Hearts, the Tynecastle club's director of football, Craig Levein, took to Twitter to joke about how easy it was to win it, referring to the club's owner by saying: "Ann Budge OBE - over before Easter." (Daily Record, print edition)

Hearts have been told they must pay a transfer fee for striker Genero Zeefuik if they want him next season as Dutch club Groningen will not allow the former Netherlands Under-21 international to return for another loan spell. (Daily Express, print edition)

Efe Ambrose has urged Celtic to keep fellow defender Jason Denayer, who is on loan from Manchester City, at the Scottish champions next season. (Daily Record, print edition)

Groningen will reportedly not allow striker Genero Zeefuik to rejoin Hearts on loan

Celtic striker Kris Commons has got engaged to his school sweetheart, Lisa Hague, and magician Billy Reid helped the 31-year-old pop the question as they celebrated her 30th birthday with a sleight of hand trick to produce the diamond ring. (Daily Record)

Gibraltar caretaker coach David Wilson has revealed he almost pulled out next Sunday's visit to Hampden to face his native Scotland after his father took ill. (The Sun, print edition)

German FA president Wolfgang Niersbach has admitted he is worried the world champions might not qualify for Euro 2016 from Scotland's group. (The Herald, print edition)

Former Scotland midfielder Billy McKinlay has hailed the appointment of Cowdenbeath boss Jimmy Nicholl as Northern Ireland assistant manager as the perfect foil for Michael O'Neill and revealed that he did not ask for his job back as NI number two after being sacked by Watford. (The Herald)

OTHER GOSSIP

England full-back Mike Brown has launched a scathing assessment of the contribution from Scotland and Italy on an enthralling final day of the Six Nations after his side failed to win the title despite a 55-35 victory over France. (The Herald)

Vern Cotter has insisted he will be Scotland head coach for the long haul as he plans to rebuild confidence in the build-up to this year's Rugby World Cup after a disappointing Six Nations. (The Scotsman)

England's Mike Brown (centre) has criticised Scotland's efforts on the final day of the Six Nations

Head coach Vern Cotter has vowed to "fix" Scotland before this year's Rugby World Cup despite five straight defeats in the Six Nations. (Daily Mail, print edition)

Scottish duo Peter Whiteford and Duncan Stewart both agreed that the correct decision had been made after the weather-plagued Madeira Islands Open was cancelled with only one round played over four days. (The Scotsman)

The European Tour is facing a fixture dilemma as it looks to stage the Madeira Islands Open later in the year after it was cancelled due to bad weather on Sunday. (The Herald)

The defeat by Eve Muirhead's rink in the bronze medal match at the Women's World Curling Championship has confirmed the need to increase tournament play and improve practise conditions in Scotland according to the British curling programme's head of performance, Graham Thompson, (The Herald)

Edinburgh's Doug Kempsell admitted he was "absulutely buzzed" after claiming his first major squash title at the Geneva Open. (The Herald, print edition)