Scottish Gossip: Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Dundee United, Arsenal, Tottenham

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Celtic are considering a surprise move for Dundee defender Paul McGinn, the 25-year-old right back who is out of contract in the summer and has also been watched by Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic. (Daily Express, print edition)

Michael O'Neill's signing of a new four-year contract with Northern Ireland has ruled him out of the running to be Celtic's new manager should they sack Ronny Deila, the 46-year-old having been the joint favourite with fellow Ulsterman Neil Lennon with some bookmakers. (Daily Record)

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill, who has been touted as a future Celtic manager, says there is no guarantee he will see out the full term of his new four-year contract as it has "flexibility", but it would take £750,000 of compensation for a club to take him from his international job. (The Sun, print edition)

On-loan Celtic striker Nadir Ciftci scored his first goal for Turkish side Eskisehirspor and then got involved in a mass brawl, the 24-year-old ripping Bruno Mezenga's shirt in a scuffle after Akhisar Belediyespor scored a controversial late equaliser in a 3-3 draw. (Daily Record)

Dundee defender Paul McGinn is being linked with a summer move to Celtic

MK Dons manager Karl Robinson says he only allowed Simon Church, the striker who has scored four times in seven appearances as Aberdeen chase Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title, to leave on loan because the 27-year-old wanted guaranteed first-team starts in his bid to make the Wales squad for this summer's Euro 2016 finals. (Daily Express, print edition)

Rangers manager Mark Warburton has opened talks with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur over new loan signings for next season, having already brought Dominic Ball and Nathan Oduwa from Spurs and Gedion Zelalem from their London rivals this season. (The Scotsman)

Rangers manager Mark Warburton says Peter Houston would be his choice as Scottish Championship manager of the year and described Falkirk as Scotland's Leicester City for staying in touch with the Ibrox outfit and Hibernian at the top of the table. (The Scotsman)

Former Newcastle United and Sunderland striker Michael Chopra has left Alloa Athletic, the 32-year-old having failed to shake off an ankle injury that has meant he last played for the Scottish Championship side in December. (Deadline News)

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill had been linked with a switch to Celtic

Brechin City manager Darren Dods says Liam Watt, the Airdrieonians midfielder on loan to their League One rivals, has the ability to step up to Premiership level after the 22-year-old was linked with a summer switch to Dundee United. (The Courier)

Darren Jackson, the former Dundee United coach who exited Tannadice along with Jackie McNamara in September, continues to believe that they can avoid relegation under new manager Mixu Paatelainen despite being eight points adrift of Kilmarnock at the foot of the Premiership. (The Herald)

Former Scotland forward Derek Riordan has been told by Jackie McNamara that he needs to get "sharper" if he is to play his part in York City's survival bid, the 33-year-old having been left out of the last three squads after being hauled off at half-time on his full debut in last month's English League Two defeat by Luton Town. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP

European and Commonwealth 800m silver medallist Lynsey Sharp has called for an investigation into the drug-testing system in Kenya, claiming systematic doping is not a problem limited to Russia. (The Herald)

Jamie Murray is the best volleyer in world tennis, according to tennis doubles coaching expert Louis Cayer, who will coach the Scot and brother Andy in their bid for an Olympic title in Rio. (The Herald)

South Africa-born Edinburgh tighthead prop WP Nel, who has only been a Scotland international for six months, says he wants to remain in the country long term. (The Scotsman)

Double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington is convinced Glasgow swimmer Michael Jamieson is on the verge of rediscovering his London 2012 silver medal-winning form ahead of a busy 2016 despite having struggled with injury problems, a heart scare and finishing second to countryman Ross Murdoch at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games having led him to consider quitting the sport. (The Herald)