Scottish Gossip: Strachan to reveal blueprint, Ashley takes SFA to court

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has spent the last few months holding secret brainstorming sessions with some of the biggest names in the history of Scottish football in a bid to pinpoint the reason for the slump in the nation's fortunes and find ways of turning it around. (Daily Record)

Gordon Strachan has revealed he has an "obsession" to fix Scottish football and the national manager unveil his blueprint to do just that before the end of the year, having spent hours with Scottish FA performance director Brian McClair discussing how the game in the country can be improved from the grassroots level right up to international level. (The Herald)

Rangers shareholder Mike Ashley is taking the Scottish FA to court, with the Newcastle United and Sports Direct owner demanding a full judicial inquiry into the governing body's decision to pass Ibrox chairman Dave King as a fit and proper person to be on the club's board. (The Sun, print edition)

Mike Ashley is reportedly taking the SFA to court as Rangers aim to sideline the shareholder at Ibrox

Rangers' board has effectively declared war on one of the club's biggest shareholders when it was revealed that an attempt will be made to stop Mike Ashley, the owner of Newcastle United and Sports Direct, having any say in the running of the Ibrox club after putting forward a resolution to this month's annual meeting calling for the removal of the voting rights of any shareholder involved in running another club. (The National)

Rangers manager Mark Warburton insists he will not be scared to suggest a £1m signing in January - despite Rangers' cash concerns, with the Ibrox regime having admitted last week they will need shareholders to stump up £2.5m in loans to see out the season. (Daily Record)

Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes believes the club have been victims of a smear campaign designed to derail their title challenge, the Dons having been forced to publicly deny that manager Derek McInnes was on the brink of resigning. (Daily Express, print edition)

Stefan Johansen's agent has defended the midfielder against critics of his form this season and revealed that the Norwegian is close to agreeing a contract extension with Celtic. (Daily Express)

Celtic assistant manager John Collins has revealed that they will continue to play attacking football in Europe - despite mounting pressure on manager Ronny Deila to succeed. (The Herald)

Former Aston Villa and Norwich City manager Paul Lambert is top of Blackburn Rovers' wanted list after the English Championship club sacked Gary Bowyer yesterday. (Daily Mail)

Paul Lambert is being linked with the manager's vacancy at Blackburn Rovers

Cardiff City and Reading have joined Leeds United in an attempt to sign out-of-favour Scotland midfielder Liam Bridcutt, who is poised to leave Sunderland on loan. (Yorkshire Evening Post)

Mario Bilate has expressed his sadness after agreeing to leave Dundee United, with the Russian-born Dutch striker, who joined the Tangerines in the summer of 2014, and the Scottish Premiership club having decided to part company. (The Courier)

Dutch striker Mario Bilate has ended his frustrating spell at Dundee United, with the club revealing that they had agreed terms to allow him to leave Tannadice as he continues to recover from a season-ending cruciate ligament injury. (Daily Record)

Mixu Paatelainen says Mario Bilate will not be the last player to leave Dundee United in the coming weeks as the manager who replaced Jackie McNamara attempts to build a squad capable of lifting them off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table. (Daily Record, print edition)

York City chairman Jason McGill has refused to reveal if Jackie McNamara has a clause in his contract similar to the deal at Tannadice that earned the manager a bonus for selling players. (Daily Record, print edition)

In-form Hibernian striker Jason Cummings says Derek Riordan, the former Scotland striker who is back training with his former club after leaving East Fife in the summer, has helped him improve his finishing. (The Scotsman)

OTHER GOSSIP

Edinburgh's planning for the rest of this season and beyond has been dealt a serious blow with the departure of David Denton to Bath after the English Premiership club agreed to buy out the final six months of his contract, with the forward's decision leaving his team-mates shocked. (The Herald)

Dave Denton is set to become the highest-pad Scotland rugby player ever after agreeing to join Bath. (The Times, print edition)

Tonga back Will Helu believes Edinburgh have the resources to cope with the departure of Dave Denton to Bath while admitting that the Scotland forward's exit was a big loss for the Pro12 club. (The Herald)

Ricky Burns, the ex-two weight world champion from Coatbridge, was only partially fit when he faced Australian Josh King at the weekend, having stopped the Australian boxer in the 11th round of their bout for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title at Liverpool's Echo Arena despite suffering from the effects of a heavy cold. (The Herald)