Scottish Gossip: Celtic, Rangers, Man City, Aberdeen, Hibs, Hearts, Edouard, Aguero, Murphy, Burton

Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan says admitting Celtic and Rangers to England's top flight was considered in 2002 following the collapse of ITV Digital but that the Old Firm would have been asked to pay a £200m fee to join a new breakaway set-up, with the rest of Scottish football receiving a £30m one-off payment in compensation. (Daily Record)

With Manchester City recruitment chief Txiki Begiristain assigned the job of finding a replacement for Sergio Aguero, new statistics from smarterscout suggest that Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard, who has 19 goals and nine assists to his name so far in 22 Scottish Premiership appearances this season, is a ready-made successor to the Argentine. (The Scotsman)

After Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos suggested he has been subjected to racist abuse during his time in Scotland, Celtic counterpart Odsonne Edouard has revealed he has not received any during his two-and-a-half years with the Scottish champions and is loving life in Glasgow. (The National)

Scotland forward Jamie Murphy has been tipped for a successful return to Rangers by Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough after the 30-year-old, who has made only two appearances for the Glasgow side since a serious injury in August 2018, scored his third goal in five appearances on loan. (Daily Record)

Barrie McKay has been hailed as the best attacker in England's League One by Fleetwood Town manager Joey Barton, who is surprised he was able to sign the winger on loan from Swansea City, after the former Rangers player starred in Tuesday's win over Wycombe Wanderers. (Daily Record, print edition)

Curtis Main says he will be knocking on manager Derek McInnes' door for an explanation if he does not retain his place at the weekend after scoring in Tuesday's 3-1 win over Hamilton Academical having replaced misfiring Sam Cosgrove as Aberdeen ended a five-game goal drought. (The Herald)

Former Hibernian striker Simon Murray is likely to reject an extension to his two-year spell with South African top-flight club Bidvest Wits as he wants to return to Scotland. (Scottish Sun, print edition)

Hibs owner Ron Gordon has written to shareholders to insist the Edinburgh club are in a "very strong financial position" even though they would have made a loss in 2019 without the sale of Scotland midfielder John McGinn to Aston Villa. (The Scotsman)

Celtic manager Neil Lennon says he feared captain Scott Brown could have been seriously hurt by Marcel Langer's late challenge in their 5-0 win over Hearts that led to the German midfielder being sent off. (Glasgow Evening Times)

Copenhagen winger Viktor Fischer has been ruled out of next week's Europa League first-leg tie against Celtic after picking up an injury during their winter training camp. (Scottish Sun, print edition)

Arsenal head of fitness Shad Forsythe has suggested that Kieran Tierney will return from his shoulder injury "very fit", raising hopes that the defender could be available for next month's Euro 2020 qualifier against Israel. (Daily Mail, print edition)

A freak training-ground injury could rule forward James Scott out of action for the rest of the season only a fortnight after the 19-year-old striker joined Hull City from Motherwell for £1.5m. (Daily Mail, print edition)

TENNIS GOSSIP

Fears are growing that Andy Murray will not be able to make his comeback until the summer's grass-court season due to further injury complications related to the former Wimbledon champion's hip. (Daily Mail, print edition)