Scottish Gossip: Dundee United pursue John Hughes, Carlton Cole Celtic blow

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Dundee United are pursuing John Hughes from Inverness Caledonian Thistle after an audacious attempt to lure Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill proved to be a non-starter, while former Croatia coach Igor Stimac has applied for the Tannadice job. (Daily Record)

Chairman Stephen Thompson says Jackie McNamara's sacking as manager was in the pipeline for some time before he was relieved of his duties after Saturday's defeat by St Johnstone. (The Scotsman)

Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has admitted it was a mistake to offer their former manager, Jackie McNamara, a contract that entitled him to a share of player transfer fees. (The Scotsman)

Chairman Stephen Thompson says the next Dundee United manager will not cash in from transfers, unlike Jackie McNamara, who was sacked on Saturday. (Daily Mail)

Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has rejected suggestions that he is about quit the Tannadice club and move to Australia, where he has been in negotiations to buy A-League club Newcastle Jets. (The Sun, print edition)

Aalesunds striker Leke James (left) reportedly is aware of interest in him from Celtic

Celtic are keeping tabs on striker Leke James, the 22-year-old Nigerian who has scored seven goals in his last 11 games for Aalesunds in the Norwegian top flight. (Sportinastorm.com)

Celtic are interested in 23-year-old St Pauli forward Lennart Thy, the former Germany Under-20 international previously of Werder Bremen. (Calciomercato.com)

Former West Ham United striker Carlton Cole's hopes of winning a contract with Celtic suffered a blow after he carted off the training field with a calf injury. (Daily Express)

Celtic players and coaching staff are not buying into the theory, clearly being put forward by Fenerbahce coach Vitor Pereira, that former Manchester United striker Robin van Persie cannot cut it any more at the top level ahead of the Turkish side's Europa League visit to Glasgow. (The Herald)

Robin Van Persie will be Fenerbahce's main danger man at Celtic Park in Thursday's Europa League tie, according to Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata, despite the Netherlands striker being relegated to the bench by the Turks in recent weeks. (The Scotsman)

Former Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles has told Celtic fans not to waste their time trying to intimidate Fenerbahce in Thursday's Europa League group game. (Daily Record)

Fenerbahce winger Nani says his side face more intimidating crowds in Turkey than the one they will face at Celtic Park. (The Sun, print edition)

Lennart Thy, presently in Germany's second tier with St Pauli. is being linked with Celtic

Midfielder Ryan Christie, on loan with former club Inverness Caledonian Thistle, is already capable of making it big in the Celtic starting XI according to Ricky Sbragia, the Scotland Under-21 manager. (The Herald)

Frustrated striker Lee Erwin is ready for a loan move to try and reignite his Leeds United career after failing to hold down a first-team place after his summer transfer to the English Championshi club from Motherwell. (The Herald)

St Johnstone will not appeal against goalkeeper Alan Mannus's red card against Dundee United despite manager Tommy Wright maintaining that the "triple whammy" of a penalty, a sending off and a one-game suspension is too severe for a genuine attempt to beat Billy Mckay to the ball during Saturday's Tayside derby. (The Courier)

Championship side Raith Rovers are now the only team in Scottish and English league football not to have conceded at home this season. (The Courier)

OTHER GOSSIP

Fit-again South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth expects his country to command 50% of the supporters at St James' Park on Saturday despite Newcastle's proximity to the border with Rugby World Cup opponents Scotland. (The Herald)