Wednesday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Mike Ashley, the shareholder whose former business allies lost control of Rangers in March, has requisitioning a general meeting and asked for his £5m loan to the Glasgow club to be repaid in full only days after interim chairman Paul Murray and director John Gilligan travelling to England for "peace talks" with the Newcastle United and Sports Direct owner. (Daily Record)

Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte was back in Glasgow on Tuesday to attend Glasgow Sheriff Court for a bail review that was held in private. (Daily Record)

Rangers are taking down the controversial portrait of the "New Pioneers" - which includes dismissed manager Ally McCoist and Neil Alexander, the goalkeeper who sued the club, and was painted by artist Helen Runciman - after it found few admirers among the Ibrox fanbase. (Daily Record)

Ladbrokes has become the official sponsor of the Scottish Professional Football League, beating fellow bookmakers Betfred to secure a multi-million pound deal. (The Sun)

The Scottish League Cup is poised for a major revamp under plans being draw up by the the Scottish Professional Football League, which could introduce summer football to the sporting calendar. (Daily Mail)

Motherwell striker Lee Erwin is reportedly interesting Celtic

Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor believes Scottish football chiefs must shift their focus away from satisfying television companies to meeting the needs of supporters. (The Herald)

Stefan Scepovic's agent is planning talks with Celtic about the striker's future after the 25-year-old Serbian failed to become a first-team regular following his £2.3m move from Sporting Gijon last summer. (Daily Mail)

Belgium team manager Marc Wilmots has tipped Celtic defender Jason Denayer, the 19-year-old on loan from Manchester City, to become a world class player. (The Herald)

Celtic are considering a summer move for 21-year-old Motherwell striker Lee Erwin as manager Ronny Deila targets up-and-coming Scottish players. (The Sun)

Motherwell majority shareholder Les Hutchison has insisted there would be no cost cutting at Fir Park if the Lanarkshire club suffered relegation from the Scottish Premiership. (The Herald)

Derek Adams, who was sacked by Ross County, wants to become manager of St Mirren and repeat the promotion success he enjoyed with the Dingwall club. (Daily Mail)

Celtic and Rangers both feature in European governing body Uefa's official list of the top 20 Champions League teams of all time. (Daily Record)

Saudi Arabai international Salem Al Dawsari is set to be handed a six-month ban and a £5,000 fine from his FA for head-butting Scottish referee John Beaton during the Riyadh derby between Al Hilal and Al Nasr. (The Herald)

Jason Holt will not return to Hearts if his loan to Sheffield United becomes permanent

Hearts have taken another step on their journey towards fan ownership after Edinburgh businessman Brian Cormack, a founding member of Foundation of Hearts, was appointed to the Tynecastle club's board of directors. (The Herald)

Jason Holt is poised to make his loan move from Hearts to Sheffield United permanent after the 22-year-old midfielder helped the Blades to the League One play-offs. (Daily Record)

Dundee are keen on 25-year-old Stanraer goalkeeper David Mitchell, according to Stair Park manager Stephen Aitken. (Daily Record, print edition)

Hamilton Academical plan to sign 26-year-old goalkeeper Alan Martin from Clyde, with Bully Wee manager Barry Ferguson lining up Greenock Morton's Grant Adam as a replacement. (Daily Record, print edition)

Forfar Athletic are motivated by "Dad's Army" jibes towards their ageing squad ahead of their Scottish Championship play-off final against Alloa Athletic. (The Scotsman)

OTHER GOSSIP

Scotland's most promising young rugby union players will face sharp cuts to their hours and wages next season as their Scottish Rugby Union employers make radical changes to the country's youth development programmes. (The Times, print edition)

Scottish Rugby Union president Ian Rankin believes that a district championship for the nation's top club players should be re-introduced as a way of driving up standards and reducing the gap between the professional and the community game. (The Scotsman)

Prop WP Nel, the 29-year-old who was born in South Africa and signed for Edinburgh in 2012, is open to playing for Scotland. (The Scotsman)

Scotland's men's hockey squad is struggling for money despite Sportscotland's recent policy shift announcement in favour of team sports, with its budget being substantially cut since the Commonwealth Games. (The Herald)