Jermaine Defoe & Gary McAllister ready to join Steven Gerrard at Rangers – Scottish gossip

Scotland’s Caroline Weir scored twice in Real Madrid’s 6-2 Champions League win over Roma. (Herald – subscription required), external

Middlesbrough forward David Strelec, 24, says the Championship outfit and Mexican club Monterrey were his only options when leaving Slovan Bratislava this summer, with Celtic’s winter interest having fallen through because of complications over an agent. (Record), external

Ajax midfielder Kian Fitz-Jim, the 22-year-old who has had few opportunities to impress since John Heitinga became head coach, would be a perfect fit for Celtic, according to data analytics firm SciSports. (Football Transfers), external

While only three Celtic squad members’ market values have risen compared to Rangers’ five in the past 12 months and Celtic’s overall squad value dropped by £3.86m, from £118.99m to £115.13m, they are still £24.48m more valuable than Rangers, with the Ibrox squad dropping in value by £216,970 to £90.65m. (Transfermarkt), external

Stevie Mallan has revealed he came close to signing for Raith Rovers this summer after training with the Kirkcaldy club during pre-season, but St Johnstone secured the 29-year-old midfielder after their Championship rivals stalled on putting a deal on the table. (Courier – subscription required), external

Former England manager Sam Allardyce is interested in taking the Scotland job in the future, citing his Scottish roots. (Scotsman – subscription required), external

Belarus head coach Carlos Alos believes their World Cup qualifier with Scotland should have been taken place away from Hampden Park at a neutral venue because of his players’ UK visa issues. (Herald – subscription required), external

Scotland have been handed a bad omen for the World Cup qualifier against Greece after controversial Norwegian referee Espen Eskas, who has already been in charge of dismal European nights for Celtic and Aberdeen this season, was appointed. (The Herald), external

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin hopes to help Australia defender Ryan Strain realise his World Cup ambitions. (Record), external