Scottish Gossip: Strachan to stay on, McGhee for Motherwell

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Manager Gordon Strachan is poised to commit his future to Scotland and wants a new deal signed and sealed by the end of the week. (Daily Mail)

Strachan's decision to stay on for the World Cup 2018 campaign has been influenced by the backing he received from the Tartan Army during Sunday's win over Gibraltar. (Herald)

Mark McGhee is on the brink of returning to Motherwell for a second stint as manager. (Sun)

McGhee would welcome the chance to remain in his role as Scotland assistant coach to Gordon Strachan, while Stuart McCall is also keen on sticking with his international coaching duties. (Daily Express)

Inverness Caley Thistle boss John Hughes is the strong front-runner for the Dundee United vacancy after Tommy Wright signed a new St Johnstone contract. (Herald)

Former striker Kevin Gallacher is urging Scotland's older players to stay on for the World Cup qualifying campaign, saying his experience of reaching the 1998 tournament was "phenomenal". (Daily Express)

And Brighton defender Gordon Greer is ready to play on, despite the fact he will be 38 when Russia 2018 kicks off. (Sun)

Former Scotland boss Craig Brown reckons the current team lack the defensive strength and physicality of the squad he took to France '98. (Times)

Matt Ritchie thinks Scotland missed out on a chance at reaching Euro 2016 because the team didn't have the same luck Ireland enjoyed. (Daily Express)

But Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill points out that his side took four points from world champions Germany while Scotland took none, saying: "that should put it into perspective". (Various)

Hearts' Billy King wants to fill the boots of suspended playmaker Ryan Gauld when Scotland U21s take on group leaders Iceland this evening. (Sun)

Stevie Frail is being earmarked for a third spell at Hearts with uncertainty over the future of U20s coach Jack Ross, who has been absent from the Tynecastle club for the last week. (Sun)

Former Dundee United and Motherwell full-back Jim Paterson has joined Stenhousemuir. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Scotland captain Andy Nicol thinks Jonny Gray will miss the World Cup quarter-final with Australia but says Ross Ford should escape punishment after both men were cited for dangerous play in the win over Samoa. (Daily Mail)

Scotland's medical team admit they are mystified by the cramp full-back Stuart Hogg has been afflicted with late in games at the World Cup. (Herald)

Former world champion Ricky Burns will take on Josh King for the vacant WBO intercontinental lightweight title in Liverpool on 7 November. (Various)

Andy Murray plans to practice on clay for "four of five days" in the week before the World Tour finals on the hard court of the O2 Arena, so he is in good shape for the Davis Cup final against Belgium during the following week and admits there is still a question mark over his participation in London. (Herald)

Daniel Purvis is included in the Great Britain team for the World Championships in Glasgow next month but fellow Scot Daniel Keatings misses out. (Various)