Gossip column: Van Dijk, McGinn, Ciftci and Wright

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Tottenham Hotspur have stepped up their interest in Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk after watching the Dutchman in Sunday's 5-0 thrashing of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, while Everton are also keeping an eye on the 23-year-old. (Daily Express, print edition)

Celtic midfielder Kris Commons reveals he had raging, behind-the-scenes rows with manager Ronny Deila but believes it helped them both to a successful season. (The Sun, print edition)

Celtic defender Mikael Lustig says he suffered a form of mental torture as he felt like he was stealing a living for picking up his wages while spending most of the season on the sidelines through injury. (Daily Record)

Bolton Wanderers, managed by former Celtic manager Neil Lennon, and Leeds United, whose manager, Uwe Rosler, had Niall McGinn at Brentford, are weighing up a summer move for the 27-year-old Aberdeen forward, who is likely to be tempted by any offer. (The Sun, print edition)

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright is on the shortlist to replace the sacked Nigel Clough at Sheffield United. (The Sun, print edition)

Norwich City owner Delia Smith believes Alex Neil, the Scottish manager fans have dubbed "Sir Alex" since his arrival from Hamilton Academical, should be knighted for leading the Canaries back to the Premier League after a play-off win over Middlesbrough. (Daily Star, print edition)

Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk is being linked with Tottenham, Everton and other English top-flight clubs

Charlie Adam will realise a boyhood dream by playing for Dundee tonight when he guests for the team in a testimonial for their former goalkeeper, Julian Speroni, and says it won't be spoiled by the disappointment at failing to become the first Scot in more than 30 years to land the goal of the season award.

A concerted campaign by Arsenal fans meant Jack Wilshere's comparatively ordinary volley against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday was voted into top spot on BBC's Match of the Day programme. (The Scotsman)

Dundee have called for a Scottish FA investigation into Dundee United striker Nadir Ciftci's alleged bite on Jim McAlister during Sunday's derby at Tannadice. (Daily Mail)

Dundee United striker Nadir Ciftci will face a Scottish Football Association investigation after his alleged bite on Jim McAlister's leg in Sunday's Dundee derby, with compliance officer Tony McGlennan examining evidence from the game at Tannadice. (Daily Record)

Dundee captain Kevin Thomson has confirmed team-mate Jim McAllister had a mark on his leg allegedly caused by Dundee United's Nadir Ciftci, but the striker's club have stood by his denial of the accusation. (The Herald)

Jim McAlister's agent has criticised Dundee for not yet coming to the table with a promised new contract for the 29-year-old winger. (The Sun, print edition)

Local boy Nick Ross has expressed the hope that Inverness Caledonian Thistle reaching the Scottish Cup final will help heal the wounds that have festered for the past 21 years in the Highland capital over the merger between Inverness Thistle and Inverness Caledonian. (The Scotsman)

Hibernian captain Liam Craig has become the first casualty of the Edinburgh club's failure to bounce back to the top flight, with the 28-year-old midfielder being told a contract he hoped for was no longer on the table and his two-year stay at Easter Road was over. (Daily Record)

Ray McKinnon says he was always committed to Raith Rovers despite St Mirren's interest

St Mirren captain Steven Thompson is desperate to sign a new contract as the 36-year-old striker hopes to help new manager Ian Murray lead the relegated Paisley side back to the Scottish Premiership. (Daily Record)

Motherwell have cut Rangers' allocation to 1,500 tickets ahead of Sunday's Premiership play-off second leg after receiving only 950 seats for the first leg at Ibrox. (The Herald)

Motherwell have called on the Scottish Professional Football League to determine ticket allocations for play-off matches to prevent empty seats in the future. (Daily Express, print edition)

Falkirk defender Luke Leahy was raised on tales of how his boxer grandfather beat the great Sugar Ray Robinson and counted the likes of Muhammad Ali and Barry McGuigan as close friends. (Daily Express, print edition)

Stranraer manager Stephen Aitken has agreed to meet Dumbarton over their managerial vacancy. (Daily Express, print edition)

New Raith Rovers manager Ray McKinnon says he was always committed to the Kirkcaldy club, despite the announcement of his appointment being delayed by the 44-year-old being interviewed by St Mirren. (The Scotsman)

OTHER GOSSIP

Scottish rugby player Sam Chalmers, 21, has warned of the dangers of taking supplements as he prepares to return to the game following a two-year doping ban and has spoken about "the worst mistake of my life". (The Scotsman)

A public exhibition match between international tennis legends at Scotland's newest tennis arena next month has been declared a sell-out, with former Grand Slam finalists and Davis Cup winners Greg Rusedski, Henri Leconte, Pat Cash and Thomas Enqvist taking part in a doubles championship at the £750,000 Gleneagles Arena on 11 June. (The Scotsman)