Scottish Gossip: Celtic, Rangers, Barcelona, Manchester United, Aberdeen, Hearts, Dundee

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has refused to confirm or deny interest in Paddy McNair amid speculation in Ireland that the centre-half is heading for Glasgow with the 21-year-old Northern Ireland international set to be allowed to leave Manchester United on loan as new boss Jose Mourinho juggles his playing resources.(Sunday Post)

Brendan Rodgers believes he needs four new players before the closure of the transfer window, with 21-year-old Manchester United defender Paddy McNair high on the wanted list of the Celtic manager. (Sunday Herald)

Despite his side easing to a 3-1 win over Celtic in Saturday's friendly in Dublin, Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique believes the Glasgow side will join them by reaching the group stage of the Champions League. (Sunday Mail, print edition)

Midfielder Niko Kranjcar, who joined Rangers this summer, says that, if Celtic reach the Champions League group stage, it will help the Ibrox club's bid for the Scottish Premiership title. (Sunday Mail)

Paddy McNair (left) has been in action during pre-season for Manchester United

Niko Kranjcar says he joined Rangers as he is keen to challenge for a league title for the first time since he was with Dinamo Zagreb as a 20-year-old and in a city he prefers to his last home, New York.(Scotland On Sunday)

Rangers manager Mark Warburton has branded the assumption that this season's Scottish Premiership title race will be between Celtic and Rangers as "nonsensical", stressing that Aberdeen and Hearts were in a position to challenge. (Mail On Sunday, print edition)

Burnley manager Sean Dyche believes Rangers are capable of mounting a challenge this season in the Scottish premiership despite his side's 3-1 win at Ibrox on Saturday. (Sunday Mail, print edition)

Saturday's 3-1 defeat by English Premier League newcomers Burnley at Ibrox has convinced Rangers manager Mark Warburton of the need to invest in his side's defence. (Sunday Post)

Rangers manager Mark Warburton plans to sign a centre-half before the start of the Scottish Premiership season on Saturday.(Sky Sports)

Dundee will make a move for striker Faissal El Bakhtaoui should the 23-year-old who rejected a new contract with Dunfermline Athletic fail to earn a deal on trial with Blackburn Rovers. (Sunday Mail, print edition)

Faissal El Bakhtaoui is on Dundee's radar but is on trial with Blackburn Rovers

After another two goals by Greg Stewart for Dundee, against Forfar Athletic, manager Paul Hartley has admitted he fears losing the striker to another club days after strike partner Kane Hemmings was sold to Oxford United. (Sun On Sunday, print edition)

On-loan Charlton Athletic striker Tony Watt could have earned himself a starting place for Hearts after a score and assist in a closed-doors inter-squad game arranged after their pre-season friendly against Fleetwood Town was cancelled. (Deadline News)

Defender Lewis Toshney is postponing surgery on a broken nose in the hope of helping Dundee United qualify for the last 16 of the Scottish League Cup when they face Dunfermline Athletic on Sunday.(Scotland On Sunday)

Stirling Albion defender Ross Forsyth feared that goalkeeper Chris Smith had stopped breathing after being knocked out against St Johnstone, but the 30-year-old is recovering in hospital with concussion. (Sun On Sunday, print edition)

Former Norwich City and Dundee midfielder Mark Fotheringham is aiming for promotion to the German Bundesliga as assistant boss of Karlsruher.(Sunday Post)

OTHER GOSSIP

Catriona Matthew has insisted she is still in the hunt for the Women's British Open title despite going into the final round at Woburn six shots behind leader Ariya Jutanugarn. (Mail On Sunday)