Wednesday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Dutch referee Kevin Blom has been kicked out of his country's top-flight and axed as their Euro 2012 finals representative after his poor performance in Saturday's qualifier between Scotland and the Czech Republic at Hampden. (the Sun)

Chris Herd's Scottish father says the Aston Villa defender will snub any approach from Scotland coach Craig Levein as he wants to play for Australia. (Daily Mail)

Rangers midfielders Kyle Hutton and John Fleck will not be joining Sheffield United on loan after it was revealed that the League One outfit failed to register them in time with the Football Association in England. (Daily Express)

Dundee, Falkirk and Partick Thistle are interested in taking Kyle Hutton on loan after the Rangers midfielder's switch to Sheffield United fell through. (the Herald)

Ross Perry, who has broken into the Rangers first-team this season but who is out of contract next summer, is poised to sign a new deal with the Ibrox club within the next week. (Various)

Rangers defender Kyle Bartley has been ruled out for a further six weeks after the player on loan from Arsenal underwent a hernia operation. (Various)

New Celtic signing Mo Bangura feared for his safety after his last-minute penalty gave Sierra Leone a 2-1 win that denied Egypt a place at the African Cup of Nations finals and sparked a pitch invasion. (Various)

Midfielder Mark de Man says he snubbed Kilmarnock to join Belgian Third Division club Hasselt because he did not want to leave his family behind in his homeland. (Various)

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has targeted Swansea City striker Stephen Dobbie, who was previously on loan with the Seasiders, when the Championship transfer window re-opens today. (Daily Record)

Former Dunfermline, Falkirk and Hibernian striker Tam McManus is on trial with League One outfit Bournemouth. (Daily Record)

Freed Celtic winger Freddie Ljungberg has signed for Japanese J-League club Shimizu S-Pulse. (Various)

OTHER GOSSIP

Scotland's former world champion, Peter Nicol, will return to his roots later this month when he participates in the Legends of Squash tour event in Aberdeen. (the Herald)

Scottish Saltires coach Pete Steindl has tipped Preston Mommsen to become a county cricket player after putting the South African-born on a full-time contract. (the Herald)