Scottish Gossip: Regan feared Strachan would quit, treble not enough for Deila

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Stewart Regan, chief executive of the Scottish Football Association, feared Gordon Strachan might quit as Scotland manager before the Tartan Army convinced him to stay. (Various)

Having backed Uefa president Michel Platini to take on the top job at Fifa before he was given a 90-day suspension, Regan now puts his weight behind Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino, calling him a "credible candidate" to lead world football's governing body. (Various)

Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish believes winning a treble this term might not be enough for Ronny Deila to retain his job as Celtic boss, because he has to do well in Europe. (Various)

McLeish suggests that midfielder Kris Commons' outburst at the Celtic coaching staff at being replaced towards the end of the match against Molde can in fact galvanise Celtic and propel them to a fifth consecutive league title. (Herald)

Barry Ferguson, whose Clyde team sit seventh in League Two, is not for quitting

Ahead of Aberdeen's visit to Celtic Park on Saturday lunchtime, Dons manager Derek McInnes calls on his players to repeat the form that secured a 2-1 for them over the Scottish champions at Pittodrie in September. Aberdeen can narrow the gap on Celtic to a point if they win in Glasgow. (Various)

McInnes tells former Celtic assistant manager Murdo MacLeod that he is wrong to say the title race is over if Aberdeen lose to Celtic, because it is still only October. (Daily Record)

Mixu Paatelainen reveals that the Dundee United board have promised him funds to bring in new players to combat relegation. (Various)

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee, whose team take on Kilmarnock on their artificial pitch on Saturday, says there is no place for plastic playing surfaces in top-flight football. (Daily Record)

And McGhee, speaking of his time working with Leigh Griffiths in his role as Scotland assistant manager, praises the Celtic coaches for turning the player into one of the country's best strikers. (Daily Record)

Celtic will hear news on Friday of the scans on skipper Scott Brown's knee as they prepare for matches against Aberdeen and Molde. (Sun)

Rangers manager Mark Warburton says any signings he makes in January will "send out a message of intent" as he prepares for next season. (Sun)

Former Rangers goalscorer Kris Boyd thinks Hibernian's Championship title challenge will be over if they do not beat Rangers at Easter Road on Sunday. (Various)

Irish striker Graham Cummins has scored four goals for St Johnstone this season

However, from the Hibs camp, their former midfielder John O'Neil thinks it is not a must-win game for Alan Stubbs' side. (Sun)

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright hopes to tie up Irish striker Graham Cummins on a longer deal. (Sun)

Christian Nade is desperate to win a starting place at Hamilton after coming on as a substitute in the past five matches. (Daily Express)

Accies striker Dougie Imrie thinks player-manager Martin Canning has to put himself in the starting XI against St Johnstone this weekend, given Lucas Tagliapietra's suspension. (Daily Record)

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald describes goalkeeper Tomas Cerny's ankle injury, which will keep him out for up to six weeks, as "a massive blow". (Various)

Kilmarnock manager Gary Locke thinks it is too early for Rugby Park trio Rory McKenzie, Craig Slater and Greg Kiltie to be looking at other clubs, fearing their development may be halted if they are not getting first-team football at bigger clubs. (Various)

Barry Ferguson says there's no way he is going to pack it in as manager of Clyde despite some poor results, most notably the Scottish Cup loss to Highland League Formartine United. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP

Finn Russell says the target for reigning Pro12 champions Glasgow Warriors is to be European champions by 2017. (Various)

Russell's hirsute Warriors and Scotland team-mate Josh Strauss has tweeted a holiday photo of him and his family - and the famous beard has gone! (Scotsman)