Ainsworth wants to make Hearts third force again - gossip

Gareth Ainsworth, who led Wycombe Wanderers from League Two to the Championship, says he is ready to help Heart of Midlothian reclaim their identity as Scotland's third force with the 51-year-old Englishman applying for the head coach role following his eight-month sabbatical since being sacked by Queens Park Rangers. (Sunday Mail)

St Johnstone were aiming to finalise a deal with Tiernan Lynch on Sunday to make the Larne boss their new manager after choosing the 44-year-old as their number one candidate. (Belfast Telegraph)

Adam Webb had identified Larne manager Tiernan Lynch as his preferred choice to be St Johnstone's new team boss after the club owner conducted interviews - and a compensation package had been agreed with the Northern Irish champions. (Sunday Post)

Linfield manager David Healy, whose side were pipped to the Northern Irish title by Larne two years running, backed Tiernan Lynch to be a success as St Johnstone's new team boss. (Scottish Sun On Sunday)

Aberdeen first-team coach Peter Leven, who was interviewed for St Johnstone's managerial vacancy, told the Perth club that he will be remaining at Pittodrie after holding talks with manager Jimmy Thelin and the club hierarchy. (Sunday Mail)

Former Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter has been identified by Southampton as a possible replacement if they decide to sack 38-year-old former Scotland defender Russell Martin. (Football Insider)

Ciprian Marica, who is a shareholder in Farul Constanța alongside Ianis Hagi's father, Gheorghe, claims it is 100% Rangers manager Philippe Clement's decision to freeze the Romania midfielder out of his first-team because one more appearance will trigger a wage rise for the 25-year-old. (DigiSport)

Plymouth Argyle winger Morgan Whittaker has responded to reports suggesting interest from Rangers saying he is happy to be playing regularly with the Championship club and would only move if it was to a higher level. (Western Morning News via Daily Record)

Scott Fraser says he decided to join Dundee because he and his wife were unhappy living in London and the 29-year-old midfielder revealed that he had offers from a number of clubs after leaving Charlton Athletic a year before the end of his contract. (The Courier)

Sven Sprangler says he rejected the chance to leave St Johnstone this summer despite the 29-year-old Austrian midfielder only being selected by Craig Levein for the last game of the manager's tenure. (The Courier)