Scottish Gossip: Celtic keen on Simunovic, Van Dijk speculation

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has travelled to Croatia to open talks over a deal to sign Dinamo Zagreb's Jozo Simunovic, the £4m-rated defender. (Daily Record)

Southampton are close to a deal to sign Napoli's French defender Kalidou Koulibaly, 24, for £8.5m and still have an interest in Celtic's Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk. (Daily Star)

Scott Allan insists he will not be affected by the controversy surrounding his move to Celtic, with the midfielder having been the subject of three failed bids by Rangers before leaving Hibernian to join Ronny Deila's side. (Herald)

Allan has signed a four-year deal with Celtic

Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday has wished good friend Allan all the best for his move to Celtic. (Daily Express)

Allan believes it should no longer be regarded as a major issue for a boyhood Rangers fan to sign for Celtic. (Scotsman)

Meanwhile, Allan has praised Hibs manager Alan Stubbs for reviving his career. (Scotsman)

Coach Age Hareide insists Malmo have already passed their toughest Champions League test, indicating that third qualifying round opponents Salzburg are stronger than Celtic, who the Swedish side face in Wednesday's play-off first leg in Glasgow. (Sun - subscription required)

Hareide watched Celtic draw with Kilmarnock last midweek

And Serbian striker Nikola Djurdjic insists Malmo are up for a battle against the Scottish champions. (Sun - subscription required)

Former Dundee United manager Peter Houston insists current Tannadice boss Jackie McNamara has to be given time to re-build the Tangerines following their poor start to the season. (Daily Record)

Rangers manager Mark Warburton cannot understand why Nathan Oduwa has been criticised for his showboating in Sunday's 5-1 win over Alloa Athletic. (Daily Express)

And the Ibrox boss has urged on-loan Tottenham Hotspur forward Oduwa to continue showing off his skills. (Daily Mail)

Could Andy Webster be coming back to Scotland?

St Mirren are interested in signing 33-year-old Andy Webster, with the 28-times capped Scotland international a free agent after two years with Coventry City. (Herald)

Glasgow City will be seeded in the Women's Champions League last 32 draw on Thursday. (Herald)