Monday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Rangers are expected to end their long-standing interest in Dundee United striker David Goodwillie because of the complexities of the proposed deal. (Daily Record)

Meanwhile, the Ibrox side have urged defender Carlos Cuellar to reject overtures from Spanish sides and instead return to Ibrox for a second spell. Espanyol are thought to be interested in Aston Villa's Cuellar. (Sun)

Another defender who could make a return to Rangers is Kyle Bartley. The Arsenal player could clinch a second loan move to Glasgow this week. (Sun)

And Rangers owner Craig Whyte expects manager Ally McCoist to complete the signings of Bartley and Cuellar within the next 48 hours. (Various)

Belgium goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen and Croatian counterpart Stipe Pletikosa will battle it out to become Celtic's new goalkeeper when they go on trial this week. (Various)

Morten Rasmussen and Josh Thompson hope to force their way into Celtic manager Neil Lennon's first-team plans after featuring in the pre-season friendly against Partick Thistle. (Various)

Meanwhile, Lennon says he could never have resigned and walked away from the players he brought to the club after enduring a difficult first full season in charge.

Lennon also revealed during a television interview on RTE that Rangers expressed an interest in signing him as a youth player. (Various)

Striker Cillian Sheridan will return to CSKA Sofia after being unable to seal a loan deal at Hibernian. (Various)

But Sheridan has not give up hope of joining the Easter Road side. (Sun)

Steven Davis expects to sign a new contract with Rangers, insisting that winning trophies is more important than earning more money elsewhere. (Various)

Barry Ferguson could join Blackpool in time to face former club Rangers in a friendly on Tuesday. (Various)

Aberdeen striker Scott Vernon believes he can hit the 20-goal mark this season. (Daily Mail)

OTHER GOSSIP

World Champion Ricky Burns is angry fellow Scot Alex Arthur tipped him to lose to Nicky Cook on Saturday night.

Burns, who stopped Cook after 93 seconds, said: "I know Alex was signalling to Cook to beat me and I don't understand why he was so disrespectful." (Daily Record)