Saturday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Ronny Deila has confirmed Celtic's interest in signing Dedryck Boyata from Manchester City, with a delegation from the Scottish champions, including the manager, understood to have held talks with the 24-year-old Belgian defender and the English club earlier this week. (The Scotsman)

Celtic manager Ronny Deila would like to sign Belgian defender Dedryck Boyata from Manchester City ahead of the Champions League qualifiers as a replacement for Jason Denayer, who has been on loan this season from the English Premier League club. (Daily Record)

Celtic have been given the green light to pursue Willem II left-back Mitchell Dijks at the end of the season, but the Dutch club say Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar are also interested in the £1m-rated 22-year-old. (Here Is The City)

Celtic and Burnley are among the clubs weighing up a move for Rodolph Austin following the 29-year-old Jamaican midfielder's release by Leeds United. (Here Is The City)

Nadir Ciftci, the 23-year-old Turkish striker who has been linked with Celtic, has spoken of his desire to help Dundee United qualify for European football - and be at the club to play in next season's Europa League. (Daily Express, print edition)

Celtic striker Teemu Pukki is hoping to extend his stay with Brondby after a season on loan to the Danish club. (The Sun, print edition)

a delegation from Celtic has already met with Dedryck Boyata of Manchester City

Partick Thistle managing director Ian Maxwell says the Firhill club had little choice but to move season ticket holders from the Jackie Husband Stand next season for visits by Celtic as it is worth £250,000 to the club. (The Herald, print edition)

Hamilton Academical will replace their artificial surface this summer - with a new synthetic surface at the cost of £300,000 - but insist it has nothing to do with criticism from rival players and managers. (The Herald)

Alloa Athletic chairman Mike Mulraney, a member of the Scottish Professional Football League board, is ready to urge clubs to tear up their broadcasting deal with the BBC. (Daily Mail)

The Foundation of Hearts fans group has reached a major milestone in its bid to take control of the Tynecastle club after confirming it has provided £1.4m of working capital - the second financial condition of the deal struck with Hearts owner Ann Budge last May. (The Herald)

Scottish referee John Beaton has received an apology from Salem Al Dosari, the Saudi Arabia midfielder who head-butted him and was handed a six-game ban and fined £3,370 during a match in the player's homeland. (The Herald)

Livingston defender Declan Gallagher is facing a prison sentence after a jury found him guilty of smashing a baseball bat over a man's head after attacking him outside a hotel. (The Scotsman)

Scotland Women's coach Anna Signeul admits to some apprehension about having to face France without three key players - captain Kim Little, midfielder Rachel Corsie and record cap holder Gemma Fay - later this month. (The Herald)

Mitchell Dijks is being linked with Celtic, Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar

Inverness Caledonian Thistle first-team coach Scott Kellacher could take the players' pre-match warm-up today against Dundee United in a Mankini after vowing to do so in February if John Hughes' side qualified for European football. (Daily Record)

Shinty's ruling body is considering a request from clubs in Inverness-shire to rearrange their 30 May Camanachd Cup fixtures due to a diary clash with football's Scottish Cup final, in which Inverness Caledonian Thistle face Falkirk at Hampden. (The Herald)

Hibernian have slashed the ticket allocation to away fans for their Premiership Play-off semi-final and will only make 1,500 tickets available to supporters of either Queen of the South or Rangers. (Daily Record, print edition)

Marcello Jones, a 16-year-old playmaker who has spent three years with AC Milan, is ready to commit his international future to Scotland. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP

Glasgow Warriors coach Gregor Townsend has warned his side not to be lulled into thinking they will find it easy against Ulster after the Belfast side made 12 changes ahead of their final Pro12 game. (Daily Record)

Braehead Clan have signed Scottish forward Bari McKenzie from Elite League rivals Dundee Stars as they prepare for their debut in ice hockey's Champions Cup, while Dundee has secured the services of Canadian defenceman Cory Pritz. (The Sun, print edition)

Scotland's hopes of qualifying for the next Cricket World Cup could hinge on a meeting today to decide whether to cut the number of teams from 14 to 10 for the 2019 tournament. (The Sun, print edition)