Scottish Gossip: Rangers, Hearts, Celtic, Aberdeen, Dundee, Hibs, Burnley, Birmingham, Fenerbahce, Ayr, Edinburgh

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Bookmakers have slashed the odds on former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Robin van Persie making a shock switch to Rangers, with the Ibrox club favourites ahead of Stoke City to sign the 32-year-old who is keen to leave Fenerbahce. (Daily Record)

Burnley manager Sean Dyche understands why Joey Barton turned down a new contract and a return to the Premier League - because the 33-year-old midfielder wanted to experience what it is like to play for a club the size of Rangers. (The Herald)

Sean Dyche, whose Burnley side face Rangers in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, is confident that counterpart Mark Warburton can take the Ibrox club back to the "very top". (The Herald)

Hearts could sell Callum Paterson if talks on a new contract continue to stall with the 21-year-old right-back having entered the final year of his current deal. (The Sun, print edition)

Fenerbahce striker Robin Van Persie is being linked with Rangers

Oxford United paid Dundee £250,000 for the transfer of Kane Hemmings and Birmingham City are poised to table a similar offer for his Dens Park strike partner, Greg Stewart. (The Sun, print edition)

Scotland Under-21 cap Sean Kelly, who was released by St Mirren, is on the verge of securing a contract with AFC Wimbledon after the 22-year-old defender impressed on trial. (Get West London)

Hibernian are considering a move for 33-year-old goalkeeper Brian Murphy, who was released by Portsmouth this summer and has been in talks with Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk. (The Sun)

Hibernian have asked for individual meetings with supporters suspected of invading the Hampden Park pitch at the conclusion of last season's Scottish Cup final, sending out letters informing each fan their membership had been put "on hold" until a meeting had taken place to "discuss any involvement" in the disorder. (The Scotsman)

Hampden Park has been re-laid for a third time this year after the national stadium surface was damaged by fans during the Beyonce concert earlier this month, but it was always the plan to do so after gigs by Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna and Coldplay were also held and generated in the region of £1m profit.(Daily Record)

Brian Murphy is being linked with Hibernian after leaving Portsmouth

Aberdeen's sale of Pittodrie Stadium could raise as much as £18m, almost half the amount required to build their proposed new arena and training complex between Kingswells and Westhill. (Press and Journal)

Maribor's Marwan Kabha has revealed that Celtic midfield counterpart Nir Bitton, his former team-mate with Israel Under-21s, has helped pass on information about Europa League opponents Aberdeen. (Daily Record, print edition)

Brendan Rodgers was concerned about his Celtic's side's set-piece shortcomings despite being optimistic that they can progress in Champions League qualifying after their 1-1 draw in the first leg away to Astana. (The Herald)

Edinburgh City have signed former Scotland, Celtic and Hearts striker Craig Beattie ahead of their first season in Scottish League Two after the 32-year-old's release by Stirling Albion. (The Scotsman)

OTHER GOSSIP

Former British Women's Open champion Catriona Matthew has said she would be "honoured" to be the first female member at Muirfield if the club that own the famous links reverses its controversial decision to continue to remain single sex. (The Herald)

Russell Knox needs a top-two finish to force his way into the nine automatic places in the European team to play against the United States next month in the Ryder Cup, but the world number 26 hopes he will still be a strong wildcard candidate if he does not finish as high. (Daily Record)