Thursday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Scotland's lack of cutting edge up front is a concern for manager Gordon Strachan. Striker Steven Fletcher has not scored for the national side for six years, while defender Christophe Berra has netted three for his country in that time. (Herald)

Steven Fletcher has scored once in his last 19 Scotland appearances

Former Hearts defender Berra dedicated his late winner against Northern Ireland to the late Dave Mackay, after the Tynecastle legend was laid to rest on Monday. (Sun)

Matt Ritchie's assist for Berra's goal was the icing on the cake in what was an encouraging debut by the Bournemouth winger. (Scotsman)

Manchester United full-back Donald Love admits the influence of Sir Alex Ferguson and Darren Fletcher over the years at Old Trafford made him decide to represent Scotland at under-21 level. The 20-year-old United reserve team player's father was born in Stranraer. (Daily Record)

Scotland under-19 striker Oliver McBurnie aims to show that Ricky Sbragia's side can do without Real Madrid's Jack Harper, who was omitted from the squad to face Austria, Italy and Croatia. McBurnie is on loan at Conference side Chester City from Bradford City. (Daily Mail)

Former Scotland performance director Mark Wotte has defended Sbragia's decision to exclude Harper, saying the youngster showed mixed form in the occasions he watched him. (Sun)

Rangers' on-loan Newcastle midfielder Gael Bigirimana has revealed he knew he was suffering a mystery illness before he joined the Ibrox club. The Burundi-born player was one of five loaned from Newcastle, which in total is believed to be costing Rangers £5000 a week in wages. (Daily Record)

Gael Bigirimana has yet to play for Rangers' first-team

Sir Alex Ferguson has described Hearts owner Ann Budge as a "guardian angel" for galvanising the club following the devastating effects of administration. (Daily Mail)

Dundee United goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak, who is out of contract in the summer, is a target for Cypriot side AEL Limassol. (Daily Express)

Aberdeen are lining up a move for 21-year-old Accrington Stanley midfielder Josh Windass - son of Dean, who was a popular forward at Pittodrie from 1995 to 1998. (Daily Mail)

Hibernian could face competition from Sheffield Wednesday for the permanent signing of on-loan Hull City goalkeeper Mark Oxley from in the summer. (Daily Mail)

Hibs have had several players vaccinated after fearing a mumps epidemic was about to ravage the club. (Various)

Midfielder Jon Routledge left Hamilton Accies because he was frustrated at the lack of first-team action he was getting. The Liverpudlian had made over 100 appearances for the New Douglas Park club. (Daily Express)

Charlie Adam insists he wants to stay at Stoke City despite being linked with a moved to David Moyes' Real Sociedad. (Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP

If Scottish golfer Marc Warren does well in this week's Valero Texas Open, it might not just be a Masters place that he secures....the winner of the tournament in San Antonio receives a pair of cowboy boots in addition to a healthy cheque. (Herald)

Edinburgh middleweight boxer Craig McEwan has launched a last-ditch bid to rescue his career in America after being snubbed by the majority of British promoters. (Various)

World number 52 Marc Warren may well soon have a nice new pair of cowboy boots