Scottish Gossip: Mark McGhee keen on Motherwell, Stuart McCall interest in Dundee Utd

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee is keen on a second spell as Motherwell team boss after last week's sacking of Ian Baraclough. (Daily Express, print edition)

Former Motherwell midfielder Simo Valakari has emerged as a front runner for the vacant Motherwell manager's job as the 42-year-old stands just three games away from potentially winning the Finnish title with Seinajoen Jalkapallokerho for the first time in their eight-year history. (The Herald)

Steve Evans is being linked with Dundee United after leaving Rotherham

Former Motherwell manager Stuart McCall admits that becoming Jackie McNamara's successor at Dundee United is something that interests him, but he has ruled himself out of a return to Fir Park.(The Scotsman)

Hibernian manager Alan Stubbs is under consideration for the vacancy at Dundee United along with Steve Evans, who left Rotherham United this week. (Daily Mail)

Inverness Caledonian Thistle chairman Kenny Cameron says there has been no approach from any club regarding manager John Hughes, who has been linked strongly with the vacancy at Dundee United.(The Courier)

Midfielder Kris Commons has revealed his ambition to prove he remains a key figure for Celtic by becoming Scotland's Player of the Year for a second time. (The Scotsman)

Ronny Deila has expressed his appreciation of major shareholder Dermot Desmond's public declaration of support for him as Celtic manager and says the Irish billionaire provides him with the inspiration to succeed in the job.(Daily Mail)

Simo Valakari is being linked with a return to Motherwell

Dundee United striker Mario Bilate, who missed most of last season with hamstring problems, faces at least six months on the sidelines after rupturing his cruciate ligament. (The Sun, print edition)

Hibernian have refused to comment after the Scottish Championship club and Spartans decidedto end the Transition Academy, which was launched last summer, with the Lowland League outfit saying there were differences in their approaches to combining their resources to help develop the next generation of promising footballers.(The Scotsman)

OTHER GOSSIP

Fly-half Finn Russell looks set to lose his battle to be fit for Scotland's pivotal World Cup match against South Africa in Newcastle on Saturday.(The Scotsman)

South Africa have been forced to change their lineout calls before Saturday's Rugby World Cup match in Newcastle because two members of the Scotland squad - WP Nel and Johan Strauss - used to train with them and know their old playbook. (The Herald)

Wing Sean Lamont says this is the "best Scotland squad bar none" he has been part of but is hoping to earn his 100th cap against South Africa at the Rugby World Cup.(The Herald)

Double Olympic gold medallist Haile Gebreslassie has pulled out of Sunday's Great Scottish Run in Glasgow as the 42-year-old's eldest sister is seriously ill. (Daily Record, print edition)