Scottish Gossip: Cathro, MacPhee, McManus and Lawwell

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Hearts are on the brink of appointing Newcastle United coach Ian Cathro as the new head coach at Tynecastle - the 30 year old is expected to be confirmed as Robbie Neilson's replacement within the next 24 hours. (Daily Mail)

Cathro's assistant at Hearts could be Northern Ireland number two Austin MacPhee, with the club eager to snatch the man linked to the vacant role of Scottish Football Association performance director from under the noses of those at Hampden. (Sun)

If 37 year old MacPhee is indeed tempted to give up the prospect of trying to revolutionise Scottish football, he and Cathro are expected to be in place for Hearts' match against Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday. (Scotsman)

Ian Cathro may well be appointed Hearts head coach by Tuesday

MacPhee would potentially combine the Hearts assistant manager job with the same role at Northern Ireland as Michael O'Neill's right-hand man. (Scotsman)

Motherwell defender Stephen McManus reckons Celtic might as well be handed the Scottish Premiership title just now. The Parkhead side are eight points clear of second-placed Rangers with three games in hand. (Sun)

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell believes they would become the biggest club in Britain if they were ever allowed to join the English English Premier League. (Herald)

Rangers and Celtic representatives attended a meeting with those from many European clubs in Amsterdam to discuss the re-shaping of European competition, after concerns about a potential revamping of the Champions League that could make it harder for Scotland's champions to qualify. (Daily Express)

German Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig are ready to join Bayern Munich and several top English clubs in pursuit of the signing of Celtic striker Moussa Dembele. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City winger Jesus Navas says they will take their Premier League frustrations out on Celtic during their Champions League meeting on Tuesday. (Daily Record)

MK Dons caretaker boss Richie Barker revealed that Robbie Neilson took a hands-on role less than 24 hours after being appointed as manager, by speaking to the players in the dressing room before the 0-0 draw against Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup. (Daily Record)

Ryan Fraser scored his first Premier League goal for Bournemouth on the very day his mum picked to go and watch him play. (Daily Mail)

OTHER GOSSIP

Glasgow Rocks booked their spot in next month's British Basketball League Cup final with an 87-73 win against Surrey Scorchers, completing a 168-152 aggregate victory. They will now face either London Lions or Newcastle Eagles in the final in Birmingham on 15 January. (Sun)