Scottish Gossip: Celtic target Swansea's Michu, Arsenal man's Rangers talks

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Celtic want out-of-favour Swansea City striker Michu on loan even if they lose their Champions League play-off against Malmo and drop into the Europa League group stage, but Real Betis and Cardiff City are also interested in the 29-year-old Spaniard. (Daily Express)

Real Valladolid are keen on signing out-of-favour Celtic striker Stefan Scepovic on loan in their bid for promotion to Spain's top flight, but the 25-year-old would prefer to join Sporting Gijon or Getafe after being linked with the La Liga clubs. (Daily Express, print edition)

Dinamo Zagreb president Zdravko Mamic has confirmed he has rejected Celtic's £4m offer for Croatia Under-21 central defender Jozo Simunovic after meeting the Glasgow club's chief executive, Peter Lawwell. (Daily Record)

Celtic's assistant head scout, David Moss, has admitted that Virgil van Dijk is likely to be sold during this transfer window if a club can come up with at least £12m for the 24-year-old Dutch central defender. (The Herald)

Michu, reportedly a Celtic target, was on loan to Napoli from Swansea City last season

Celtic manager Ronny Deila is ready to keep faith with Nadir Ciftci as his first-choice striker in Wednesday's Champions League play-off against Malmo. (The Scotsman)

Former Rangers winger Ian McCall, whose Ayr United side face his former club in the Petrofac Training Cup on Wednesday, believes the Scottish Championship side are already good enough to challenge for a top-three berth in the Premiership despite missing out on promotion last season. (The Herald)

Rangers are close to agreeing a loan deal for 18-year-old Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem, who is expected to sign initially until January but with the option to stay for the season. (The Scotsman)

Gedion Zelalem arrived in Glasgow on Tuesday to hold signing talks with Rangers manager Mark Warburton, but the 18-year-old midfielder is also mulling over similar short-term deals at Fulham, Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City. (Daily Record)

New Rangers captain Lee Wallace has thanked the club's supporters after they pushed season ticket sales beyond the 33,000 barrier. (The Scotsman)

Hearts could move for Queen's Park right-back Shaun Rooney after the 18-year-old, who has also had a spell training with St Mirren, impressed on trial. (The National)

Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara has vowed not to be broken by "poisonous" rumours that claim to cast doubt over his future at Tannadice. (The Scotsman)

Jackie McNamara's predecessor at Tannadice, Peter Houston, has called for the Dundee United manager to be given time to rebuild his squad. (The Courier)

Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem (right) is in talks with Rangers, but other clubs are reportedly interested

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright believes that Michael O'Halloran's performances will lead to English Championship clubs eyeing the 24-year-old forward despite the Scot having struggled there previously at Bolton Wanderers. (The Courier)

Steven Naismith says he would quit Everton rather than jeopardise his Scotland prospects by spending the season on the bench at Goodison, the 28-year-old forward having only featured as a late substitute in the first two games of the Premier League season. (Daily Record)

Scotland goalkeeper Allan McGregor has apologised to his Hull City team-mates after his blunder allowed Wolves to equalise in a 1-1 draw on Sunday. (The Sun, print edition)

Former Scotland Under-21 midfielder Kevin McDonald has rejected the offer of a contract extension with Wolves, with the 26-year-old's present deal due to end next summer. (Express & Star)

OTHER GOSSIP

Scotland look set to cap imports WP Nel and John Hardie among six new faces in the squad for the first of a World Cup warm-up doubleheader against Italy at Turin this weekend. (The Courier)

Scotland defence coach Matt Taylor has sung the praises of the latest "kilted Kiwi" after newly-arrived flanker John Hardie was named in the squad for Saturday's second World Cup warm-up Test against Italy in Turin. (The Scotsman)

New Zealander John Hardie says he has put has career at risk in order to win a place in Scotland's World Cup squad as the 27-year-old is without a club and not been guaranteed a contract with Edinburgh or Glasgow Warriors. (Daily Record)