Scottish Gossip: Celtic, Rangers, Man Utd, Hibs, Hearts, Chelsea, Motherwell, Olympiakos

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Chelsea's Patrick Bamford, 22, could be on the verge of a move to Celtic, where manager Brendan Rodgers is looking to beef up his forward line. (Nottingham Post)

Olympiakos are poised to re-launch a £1m bid to sign Celtic defender Efe Ambrose, the Greek club having failed in a move for the Nigeria international 18 months ago. (Daily Record)

Northern Ireland central defender Paddy McNair could be on the verge of leaving Manchester United on loan, with compatriot Brendan Rodgers likely to be interested in taking the 21-year-old to Celtic. (Daily Star)

Celtic are facing a Champions League defensive crisis with Erik Sviatchenko out of Wednesday's first leg of their Champions League qualifier against Astana in Kazakhstan, an injury leaving manager Brendan Rodgers without five centre-half options. (The Times)

Patrick Bamford finished last season on loan to Norwich City from Chelsea

New Celtic signing Kolo Toure thinks it is possible for his side to match the feat of the Arsenal side in which the central defender played in 2003-04 and which won the English title without losing a game. (The Scotsman)

Celtic new boy Kolo Toure joins the ranks of bizarrely miserable new signings following his official photo session after joining the Scottish champions having been released by Liverpool. (Daily Mirror)

Hibernian manager Neil Lennon is hopeful of persuading Celtic to allow Liam Henderson to move permanently to the Edinburgh club, where the 20-year-old midfielder spent last season on loan. (The Sun, print edition)

Former South Africa striker Benni McCarthy, who is poised to join Hibernian's coaching staff, says a robbery at their rented mansion in Edinburgh left his wife terrified and forced them to move to another part of the city. (The Herald)

Kolo Toure's lack of smiles in some photos was picked up by the Daily Mirror as he joined Celtic

Hibernian have been handed a massive injury boost after Neil Lennon confirmed that inspirational captain David Gray is set to be in contention for their Scottish Championship opener against Falkirk despite the 28-year-old right-back having picked up a shoulder injury during Thursday's Europa League defeat by Brondby. (Daily Record)

Motherwell are hopeful of signing Craig Clay, the midfielder released by Grimsby Town, on a short-term contract so that the 24-year-old can face East Stirlingshire in Tuesday's Scottish League Cup game. (The Herald, print edition)

Lee Lucas, the 24-year-old midfielder released by Swansea City who signed a two-week contract with Motherwell to allow him to face Annan Athletic on Saturday, will be given another chance to win a permanent deal after hobbling off 35 minutes into his debut with a hamstring injury. (Motherwell Times)

Motherwell's determination to sign him helped persuade 22-year-old defender Ben Heneghan to move to Fir Park despite interest from English Premier League clubs Burnley and Hull City. (The Sun, print edition)

Craig Clay is on trial with Motherwell after leaving Grimsby Town

Sunderland midfielder Liam Bridcutt is keen to join Leeds United, the 27-year-old Scotland international having spent time on loan at Elland Road last season. (Yorkshire Evening Post)

Scotland central defender Gordon Greer has joined Blackburn Rovers on trial after the 35-year-old was released by English Championship rivals Brighton. (Deadline News)

Hearts defender Alim Ozturk has admitted he has not been able to raise a smile since Thursday's depressing defeat by Maltese side Birkirkara in Europa League qualifying. (Daily Record)

Rangers manager Mark Warburton has proclaimed his side are "in good shape" for the Scottish Premiership season after they clinched their place in the last 16 of the League Cup with a 3-0 win over Stranraer. (The Herald)

OTHER GOSSIP

Lee Lucas went off injured during his Motherwell debut

Michael "Musk" O'Hanlon, the 45-year-old winner of the Mr Scotland bodybuilding title, has been stabbed to death in broad daylight near his home in Stevenston, Ayrshire. (Daily Record)

Russell Knox, the only Scot capable of making Europe's Ryder Cup team, will miss out on the squad to face the United States unless he claims a stunning US PGA victory at Baltusrol. (Daily Record, print edition)

Second place at the US PGA in Baltusrol could be enough for Russell Knox to muscle his way into Darren Clarke's European Ryder Cup team, which is not far off being complete. (Daily Express, print edition)