Scottish Gossip: Strachan, Motherwell, Celtic, Hearts

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Gordon Strachan, who signed a new contract to remain as manager on Friday, has insisted Scotland can qualify for the 2018 World Cup. (Scotland On Sunday)

Gordon Strachan's first act after signing a new deal as Scotland manager is to decide against an international friendly next month as he did not think it would do anything for morale after the failure to reach the Euro 2016 finals. (Sunday Mail, print edition)

Graham Dorrans has revealed he had an arrangement with Gordon Strachan not to pick him for Scotland squads unless he was likely to play because the Norwich City midfielder's wife, Yvonne, had a stillborn daughter in 2010 and their next daughter was diagnosed with meningitis. (Mail On Sunday, print edition)

Norwich City midfielder Graham Dorrans has revealed he cancelled a holiday with his wife to turn out for Scotland against Gibraltar. (Sun On Sunday, print edition)

Scotland striker Chris Martin has received a confidence boost by being promoted to captain by new Derby County manager Paul Clement.(Sunday Herald)

New Motherwell boss Mark McGhee says working as Scotland manager Gordon Strachan's assistant saved him from the managerial wilderness. (Mail On Sunday, print edition)

Gordon Strachan and Graham Dorrans had an arrangement over cap call-ups, says the midfielder

Mark McGhee, who has returned to Motherwell as manager, says he was so outspoken as a player he had to apologise to his last manager.(Sunday Mail)

Celtic manager Ronny Deila insists that midfielder Stefan Johansen, who has been short of form and missed Saturday's win over Motherwell, will return to scale new heights and will play against Molde in the Europa League.(Sunday Herald)

Hearts midfielder Morgaro Gomis believes the current crop of young players at Tynecastle are as good as those he played beside at Dundee United - the likes of Johnny Russell, David Goodwillie and Stuart Armstrong.(Deadline)

Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson has denied suggestions that director of football Craig Levein has undermined his position by visiting the dressing-room during matches. (Mail On Sunday, print edition)

Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson believes that having a director of football has put the Edinburgh back on the road to success.(Sunday Herald)

Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager John Hughes insists he is not disappointed to have missed out on a move to Dundee United, who appointed Mixu Paatelainen last week. (Sun On Sunday, print edition)

New Dundee United manager Mixu Paatelainen admits that, like predecessor Jackie McNamara, he will not be able to stop his top players being sold.(Scotland On Sunday)

Robbie Neilson (right) had rejected suggestions of a fall-out with Craig Levein

Burnley manager Sean Dyche says losing head of recruitment Frank McParland to Rangers is a massive blow for the English Championship club. (Sun On Sunday, print edition)

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta have told Rangers to sign 24-year-old Israeli winger Gai Assulin, who was a youth at the Nou Camp and has been on trial with the Scottish Championship club. (Sunday Mail, print edition)

Former Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes, currently at Real Sociedad, would find it hard to turn down an approach from Aston Villa.(Daily Star Sunday)

Partick Thistle striker Mathias Pogba says brother Paul, the France midfielder playing for Juventus, is now a fully-fledged Jags supporter. (Sunday Herald)

Partick Thistle midfielder Stevie Lawless sets his sights on the goal of the season award after his long-range strike helped his side to a 2-1 win away to St Johnstone. (Sunday Herald)

OTHER GOSSIP

Scotland head coach Vern Cotter is almost certain to bring Ross Ford and Jonny Gray into his starting line-up for the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Australia after the forwards won their appeals against three-match suspensions on Saturday. (Sun On Sunday, print edition)

Scotland may start Ross Ford and Jonny Gray on the bench against Australia because the forwards missed two training sessions last week because of the hearings that led to them being suspended then cleared to play in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final. (Sunday Herald, print edition)

Scotland defence coach Matt Taylor, who was raised in Australia by Scottish parents, says he has a dossier on many of their opponents' strengths and weaknesses ahead of their Rugby World Cup quarter-final.(Mail On Sunday, print edition)