Scottish Gossip: Joey Barton, Charlie Adam, Gordon Strachan, Scotland, England

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Rangers have sealed a pay-off deal to get rid of Joey Barton after the controversial midfielder got a sick note for stress and agreed a £250,000 pay-off. (The Sun, print edition)

Joey Barton's short and unfulfilled Rangers career looks to be finally at an end, with the English midfielder close to agreeing a severance deal amid reports he has been signed off with stress. (The Scotsman)

Joey Barton's Rangers career ended last Thursday when the midfielder stormed out of the club's training complex for the final time with his own coffee machine under his arm, reacting furiously after being frogmarched into the first-team dressing room by a security guard and ordered to empty out his locker.(Daily Record)

Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam, who had earlier suggested that his "face doesn't fit" with Scotland head coach Gordon Strachan, has criticised the decision to bring Scott Brown back into the squad less than three months after he announced his international retirement.(Daily Record)

Joey Barton is reportedly close to leaving Rangers

Midfielder James McArthur says the mounting pressure on Scotland head coach Gordon Strachan has given the national team an added incentive to get a result against England in their Russia 2018 qualifier at Wembley.(The Herald)

Head coach Gordon Strachan says failing to lead Scotland to a major tournament finals would bother him more than getting the sack. (Daily Record, print edition)

Ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifier against the "Auld Enemy", Scotland midfielder Robert Snodgrass has said he thinks all his countrymen enjoy watching England lose.(The Scotsman)

England will crack in Friday's World qualifier if Scotland can grab the lead at Wembley, according to midfielder Robert Snodgrass. (Daily Record)

England midfielder Jack Wilshire has predicted that his side's superior quality will give them the edge at Wembley. (Daily Mail, print edition)

Former Rangers and England defender Terry Butcher reckons his country's players are weighed down by the expectation that comes with wearing their jersey. (Daily Record)

England striker Harry Kane has urged his team-mates to keep their cool against Scotland in Friday's World Cup qualifier.(The Guardian)

Dave Mackay could be the new manager of Stirling Albion

Former Rangers striker Ally McCoist admits he still regrets not taking the penalty saved by England's David Seaman instead of Gary McAllister in Scotland's 2-0 Euro 96 defeat. (Daily Record)

Former St Johnstone captain Dave Mackay or former Aberdeen midfielder Brian Grant will be named Stirling Albion manager within 48 hours. (Daily Express, print edition)

Motherwell are to name the East Stand at Fir Park after John "Sailor" Hunter, who led the club to the league title in 1932. (Aberdeen Evening Express)

OTHER GOSSIP

Six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy is excited by Great Britain's emerging cycling talent. (The Herald)