Scottish Gossip: Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Kilmarnock, Inverness CT

A Police Scotland request to switch the Hogmanay Old Firm league match to 28 December was rejected by the SPFL since other games had already been planned, says Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins. (Sunday Mail), external

Republic of Ireland midfielder James McCarthy has put Celtic on alert by revealing that he wants to leave Everton. (Sunday Mail), external

New Hearts boss Ian Cathro will keep an eye on Sporting Lisbon's Ryan Gauld, a player he helped nurture during his time as a youth coach at Dundee United, but is not considering a January move. (Sunday Post), external

Celtic are in talks over a new deal for defender Mikael Lustig, with the 29-year-old Swede out of contract in June. (Express), external

Barrie McKay, on target in yesterday's 2-0 win over Hearts, warns Celtic that Rangers will not give up on the title race. (Daily Mail), external

Rangers manager Mark Warburton aims to bring in two players at most in the January transfer window, saying it's important not to disrupt dressing room unity. (Sun, print edition)

Malky Mackay is the firm favourite to land the SFA's Performance Director role and could be announced by the end of next week. (Sunday Mail), external

Joey Barton, released from his Rangers contract last month, is set to be offered a contract until the end of the season with former club Burnley. (Mirror), external

Inverness CT manager Richie Foran thinks referees need better training after claiming his side were denied a clear penalty for handball in Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Hamilton. (Herald), external

Stuart Armstrong reckons good friend Gary Mackay-Steven can follow his lead and become a first team regular at Celtic. (Sun), external

Hamilton playmaker Ali Crawford is flattered by transfer interest and says he's earned himself a move. (Sunday Mail), external

Manager Lee Clark is loving life at Kilmarnock and says compared to his last job at Blackpool it feels like a holiday. (Sun), external

Former Dundee and Alloa boss Barry Smith is set to take over at East Fife on Monday. (The Courier), external