Scottish Gossip: Steven Gerrard, Rangers, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Aston Villa, Celtic, Eddie Howe, Hibs, Dundee Utd

Former Rangers midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst is favourite to succeed Steven Gerrard - who has joined Aston Villa - at Ibrox and says he is ready for a new challenge after leaving Chinese side Guangzhou R&F last year. (Sun)

Rangers are not interested in former defender Russell Martin as Gerrard's replacement, despite reports linking the Swansea boss with the Ibrox job. (Glasgow Times)

Aston Villa are making Gerrard the highest-paid manager in their history and have pledged to back him with a large transfer kitty in January. (Daily Record)

Newly-appointed Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has denied he had a last-minute change of heart about becoming Celtic manager in May and says he backed out of the job because he couldn't get his "backroom team together for a host of different reasons". (Daily Mail)

Hibs striker Christian Doidge, out since August with an Achilles injury, has returned to training and is hopeful of playing a part in the League Cup semi-final against Rangers on 21 November. (Edinburgh Evening News)

Dundee United head coach Thomas Courts has backed 16-year-old Kerr Smith to stay focused amid speculation linking the defender with Premier League sides Manchester United, Leicester, Everton and Aston Villa. (Courier)

Double cup-winning defender Callum Booth has signed a new two-and-a-half year contract with St Johnstone. (Courier)