Scottish Gossip: Ronny Deila, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock, Inverness

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Following last night's loss at Aberdeen, Celtic boss calls for "level heads" and remains confident his team will retain the Premiership title. (Various)

Deila says "all big managers have problems at the start of their careers at different clubs", citing Sir Alex Ferguson as an example. (Various)

Aberdeen are now three points behind Celtic and manager Derek McInnes says his team will not crack under the strain of pushing the champions. (Various)

Graeme Shinnie joked that he "might take his dog round to bite Jonny Hayes every week" after his Aberdeen team-mate knocked in a wonderful goal in the 2-1 win over Celtic. The winger was playing with a bandaged hand after a canine encounter. (Various)

Former Rangers boss Ally McCoist is a contender for the Kilmarnock vacancy, with Billy Davies remaining the front-runner. (Sun)

Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd reckons Billy Davies is the best manager he has ever worked with, the pair were together at Nottingham Forest five years ago. (Various)

Wigan and Barnsley are keeping tabs on Inverness CT midfielder Liam Polworth, who is out of contract in the summer. (Daily Express)

Hibs duo Liam Fontaine and Fraser Fyvie are fitness doubts for Sunday's Scottish Cup derby with Hearts after picking up injuries at Morton on Tuesday. (Various)

St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright is eyeing up one more free agent addition to his squad after yesterday's signing of Danny Swanson. (Sun)

Hibernian and Rangers face having their early March fixture rearranged

Hearts winger Jamie Walker is close to a return after playing 45 minutes in an under-20s match last night. (Various)

Manager Jim McIntyre warns League Cup finalists Ross County not to drop their standards against junior side Linlithgow Rose in the Scottish Cup this weekend. (Sun)

The Championship clash between Hibs and Rangers could be put back six weeks - 10 days before the end of the season - if either side reaches the last eight in the Scottish Cup. (Various)

Motherwell boss Mark McGhee says there is an offer on the table for James McFadden to extend his stay until the end of the season. (The National)

Livingston defender Declan Gallacher has been sent back to jail after his appeal against a serious assault charge was rejected yesterday. (Daily Express)

Former Rangers defender Bert Konterman thinks his old team are capable of lifting the Scottish Cup this year. (Herald)

Dunfermline snap up defender Craig Reid following his release from Motherwell. (Daily Record)

Alloa have signed up full-back Ryan Finnie, the 20-year-old who left Annan last month. (Daily Express)

A local business is offering to pay East Kilbride's players a £5000-a-man bonus if they knock Celtic out of the Scottish Cup on Sunday. (Various)

Barclay last played for Scotland in a pre-World Cup warm-up match

OTHER GOSSIP

John Barclay is set to make a dramatic return for Scotland against England, the 45-times-capped flanker having been overlooked for the last three Six Nations and last year's World Cup. (Times)

Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward says he used to loathe Calcutta Cup matches at Murrayfield and thinks any kind of win for the visitors would be "an outstanding start" for new boss Eddie Jones. (Daily Mail)

Scotland's Craig Watson has been appointed captain of the GB & Ireland Walker Cup team to face USA in Los Angeles next year. (Daily Express)

Lisa Martin has taken over as captain ahead of Scotland women's Six Nations campaign. (The National)