Scottish Gossip: Celtic close in on Blackett & Christie signings

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Celtic will try to buy Tyler Blackett from Manchester United next summer if a proposed season-long loan move proves to be a success. (Daily Record)

The loan deal for Blackett will go through on Saturday with a view to an eventual £3m move. (Sun - subscription required)

And Celtic hope to hear over the weekend whether their £500,000 bid for Inverness Caledonian Thistle's Ryan Christie will be accepted, with the midfielder expected to be loaned back to the Highlanders should the deal goes through. (Daily Record)

Christie (right) could join the Scottish champions and be loaned back to Inverness

Celtic manager Ronny Deila has described his side's Europa League draw with Ajax, Fenerbahce and Molde as "exciting" but says it does not make up for the pain of being knocked out of the Champions League by play-off opponents Malmo. (Scotsman)

Meanwhile, Deila is confident he has the backing of Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond, for now. (Evening Times)

Veteran Hearts goalkeeper Neil Alexander, 37, has told team-mate Juwon Oshaniwa to calm down after the 24-year-old Nigerian defender claimed they could beat Celtic to the Scottish Premiership title. (Scotsman)

Rangers assistant David Weir has revealed his faith in the Ibrox club's board convinced him to encourage Mark Warburton to take the manager's job. (Herald)

Gedion Zelalem is Rangers manager Mark Warburton's latest recruit

Gedion Zelalem, on loan at Rangers from Arsenal, believes playing in Warburton's team will help him realise his dream of being a regular with the Gunners. (Scotsman)

Meanwhile, Warburton already has plans to sign players in the January transfer window. (Daily Express)

Motherwell majority shareholder Les Hutchison says plans to move the club into fan ownership will be in jeopardy unless significantly more supporters sign up to a financial commitment. (Daily Mail, print edition)

Hutchison has urged greater uptake of a fans' buyout scheme at Motherwell

St Johnstone captain Dave Mackay has identified keeping Leigh Griffiths quiet as key to the Perth side's chances of success Celtic Park on Saturday. (Herald)

Partick Thistle goalkeeper Tomas Cerny is determined to prevent Aberdeen matching their best ever start to a league season, with the Dons bidding for five wins on the trot. (Daily Record)

Germany coach Joachim Low believes his team can overcome a "hostile" Hampden when they meet Scotland early next month. (Herald)

OTHER GOSSIP

Full-back Stuart Hogg is relishing Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson's challenge for Scotland to win this year's Rugby World Cup. (Scotsman)