Scottish Gossip: Celtic, Rangers, Dundee United, Hearts, Alex McLeish, Hibs

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Brendan Rodgers has dropped a huge hint that he could become the new Celtic manager. (Various)

Dundee United midfielder John Rankin fears relegation could be the beginning of a downward spiral that may see them stuck in the Championship for years. (Various)

Rangers manager Mark Warburton has dismissed speculation connecting him with the Everton job, joking that he will be linked with posts at major Spanish clubs next. (The Herald)

Brendan Rodgers faced Celtic in a pre-season friendly during his time as Liverpool manager

Hearts midfielder Perry Kitchen could be facing a club v country dilemma after being named in the provisional USA squad for this summer's Copa America. (Scottish Sun, print edition)

Kieran Tierney says Celtic are his "dream club" despite attracting the attention of a host of English Premier League clubs. (Various)

Alex McLeish has left Egyptian club Zamalek after just 65 days and become the fifth victim of the club's eccentric president this season. (The Herald)

Raith boss Ray McKinnon has laughed off Hibs striker Jason Cummings' trash talk and branded him irrelevant. (Various)

Madjid Bougherra has again pleaded with Rangers boss Mark Warburton to take him back to Ibrox but set him a six-week deadline. (Daily Record)

Alan Stubbs has refused to accept his Hibernian side are under pressure as they prepare for six play-off games to secure promotion, saying the schedule is "exciting" rather than stressful. (Various)

Caley Thistle manager John Hughes believes captain Richie Foran can play a prominent role for the Highlanders next season, despite barely featuring in two years because of injury. (Press and Journal)

Dunfermline striker Faissal El Bakhtaoui has blasted manager Allan Johnston for wrecking his weekend of family celebrations by leaving him on the bench for their last game of the season. (Scottish Sun, print edition)

Hearts goalkeeper Neil Alexander, 38, hopes to sign a new contract in the next few days after holding "positive" talks with the club. (Edinburgh Evening News)

Scott Brown will drop out of the Celtic team against Aberdeen on Saturday to rest his tight hamstrings which he revealed have been restricting his movement in recent weeks. (Daily Record, print edition)

Derek McInnes has told the Aberdeen board they will have to spend in this summer's transfer market if they are to bring in the quality needed to improve the current squad. (Various)

OTHER GOSSIP

Fijian second-row Api Ratuniyarawa is set to replace international colleague and close friend Leone Nakarawa at Glasgow Warriors. (Daily Mail, print edition)

Richie Ramsay has rejected the chance to defend his Trophee Hassan title in Morocco because he has chosen to put his family first. (Daily Record, print edition)

Ayr prop George Hunter has represented Scotland at age-grade and Club XV level, but this weekend he is set to make his full international debut for the Bahamas. (Scotsman, print edition)