Scottish Gossip: Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Motherwell, Hibs, Dundee Utd

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers vows to treat tonight's part-time opponents Lincoln Red Imps in the same way he would Barcelona or Real Madrid. (Various)

Celtic skipper Scott Brown is relishing the prospect of a more attacking role, joking that he is now "playing like a left-winger" after years in a central holding position. (Various)

Having revealed that he will sign a new contract extension this week, Rangers manager Mark Warburton hopes to add two new players to his squad in the coming days. (Sky Sports)

Manager Gordon Strachan insists Scotland should not be classed as underdogs for the forthcoming World Cup qualifying campaign, with England and Slovakia among the group opponents. (Daily Record)

Aberdeen midfielder Willo Flood could make a return to Dundee United before Friday's League Cup trip to Arbroath. (Evening Telegraph)

Aberdeen dismiss reports of a loan move to Hibernian for midfielder Peter Pawlett. (Evening Express)

Hearts winger Billy King is expected to join Inverness CT on loan for next season, after a loan spell at Rangers last term. (Herald)

Brondby, Hibs' Europa League qualifying opponents, arrived in Edinburgh without South African midfielder Lebogang Phiri due to visa problems, while Paraguayan striker Joe Ariel Nunes has stayed at home for personal reasons. (Sun, print edition)

Otso Virtanen, who has played 120 seconds of competitive first team football for Hibs, is in line to start against Brondby at Easter Road on Thursday, with Mark Oxley close to joining Southend. (Various)

Motherwell will not risk striker Louis Moult again until a persistent groin problem has been resolved. (Various)

Rangers striker Kenny Miller cautions team-mates Martyn Waghorn and James Tavernier there is no guarantee they will find greater fulfilment away from Ibrox after the pair turned down new contract offers. (Various)

Dundee United were not fit enough to stave of relegation last season, says striker Simon Murray, who is enjoying the new training regime under new boss Ray McKinnon. (Sun, print edition)

St Johnstone striker Steven MacLean is determined to surpass the 15 goals he netted last season. (Sun, print edition)

OTHER GOSSIP

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray aims to seal a deal to keep coach Ivan Lendl by his side, with the 56-year-old expected to spend around 18 weeks a year with the world number two. (Daily Mail)

Masters champion Danny Willett was a 16-year-old caddie on his last visit to this week's Open venue Troon, sharing a B&B room with two others. (Daily Mail)

Colin Montgomerie, who will tee off first on Thursday morning, says it will be emotional to play the Open on his hometown course for the final time. (Various)

Former R&A chief executive Peter Dawson is disappointed by the number of high-profile Olympic withdrawals and is calling on golf's leading stars to "give back to the game". (Scotsman, print edition)