Scottish Gossip: Dundee United give up on Tommy Wright and target John Hughes

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

St Johnstone chairman Steve Brown was last night in talks to extend manager Tommy Wright's stay with the Perth club - and that has prompted Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson to admit defeat in his bid to wrestle the 52-year-old Ulsterman away from McDiarmid Park. (The Herald)

St Johnstone have handed manager Tommy Wright a new contract, forcing managerless Dundee United to turn their attentions to Inverness Caledonian Thistle's John Hughes. (Daily Express)

Bookmaker Ladbrokes has suspended betting on John Hughes becoming the next manager of Dundee United after a flurry of bets on the Inverness Caledonian Thistle boss. (The Scotsman)

SJK president Raimo Sarajarvi says he will not negotiate with Motherwell about coach Simo Valakari's position before the end of the Finnish league season on 25 October. (Eurosport)

Motherwell will talk to former Finland coach Mixu Paatelainen, who has already had discussions with Dundee United, about their manager's vacancy but will have to wait at least a fortnight if they want to meet Simo Valakari as the former Fir Park midfielder's present club, SJK, remain in the running to win their domestic league title. (Daily Express, print edition)

Mixu Paatelainen has reportedly spoken to Dundee United and will hold talks with Motherwell

Hibernian's Alan Stubbs is in the running for the manager's vacancy at English Championship club Rotherham United. (The Sun, print edition)

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan says Robert Lewandowski, who will lead Poland's attack in the Euro 2016 qualifier at Hampden on Thursday, has been the best player in the world for the last month, ahead of Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo. (The Scotsman)

Robert Lewandowski has revealed he still harbours a grudge against Gordon Greer for a tackle the Scotland defender made on the Pole a year ago in the 2-2 draw in Warsaw and the striker has called for the Hungarian referee, Viktor Kassai, to ensure the Polish players are given greater protection at Hampden. (The Herald)

Scotland defender Russell Martin has told Robert Lewandowski that Scotland will not shirk from making more hard tackles at Hampden on Thursday and described Gordon Greer's challenge on the Polish striker in Warsaw last year as a "great" one. (Daily Record)

Scotland and Hull City midfielder Robert Snodgrass will not be at Hampden to watch the Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland as he is continuing his 14-month battle to regain fitness from a knee injury but is still hopeful of playing for his country at next year's finals. (The Herald)

Poland's Robert Lewankowski has been the centre of attention ahead of the match against Scotland

Germany coach Joachim Low says Republic of Ireland, who could end Scotland's Euro 2016 qualifying hopes should they defeat the Group D leaders in Dublin, are smarter and stronger than Gordon Strachan's side. (Irish Independent)

In-form Rangers striker Martyn Waghorn says he is not using the Ibrox club as a stepping stone back to the top flight in England as he is relishing the prospect of playing in European competition with the Scottish Championship leaders. (Daily Record)

Rangers shareholder Mike Ashley has been criticised for using "disgraceful" and "unlawful" employment practices after losing a legal case against 50 former employees who were employed by his ailing clothing chain USC. (The Herald)

Goalkeeper Zander Clark has signed a contract extension with St Johnstone and the 23-year-old's new deal at McDiarmid Park lasts until the end of season 2017/2018. (The Courier)

OTHER GOSSIP

Craig Lee - or "Humpty Dumpty", as the 38-year-old jokingly described himself due to the fact he's relying on physiotherapists to repair him during an energy-sapping run of tournaments - goes into this week's British Masters with only three tournaments left to secure the retention of his European Tour card. (The Scotsman)

Three Scots - Jamie McLeary, Andrew McArthur and Scott Henry - head into this week's Challenge Tour event in Ireland sitting in card-clinching positions for the European Tour next season. (The Scotsman)

Boxer Willie Limond and trainer Billy Nelson have joined forces with businessman James White to form Lock Stock Promotions to create what they hope will become the best British stable of fighters. (Daily Record)