Scottish Gossip: Rangers, Celtic, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Dundee United, Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich City, Burnley, The Open, Colin Montgomerie

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Sheffield Wednesday could beat Norwich City to the signing of Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher when the 29-year-old Scotland striker becomes a free agent at the end of his Sunderland contract. (Sunderland Echo)

Midfielder Robbie Leitch has signed a two-year contract with Burnley, who have been promoted to England's top flight, after the 18-year-old was released by Motherwell.(Lancashire Telegraph)

Southampton have signed 16-year-old defender Kieran Freeman from Dundee United for a five-figure sum as former Scotland striker Eric Black was named assistant at the English Premier League club after the appointment of Claude Puel as manager. (The Herald, print edition)

Tope Obadeyi, the forward who has been transfer-listed by Kilmarnock, is being linked with Dundee United, who have terminated the contract of goalkeeper Michal Szromnik. (Daily Express, print edition)

Dundee United are poised to drop their interest in Tope Obadeyi after holding signing talks with the 26-year-old Kilmarnock forward. (Evening Telegraph)

Aidan Connolly has signed a two-year contract with former Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara's York City in the National League after the 20-year-old midfielder left Raith Rovers. (The Scotsman, print edition)

Rangers manager Mark Warburton reckons he will not need to utilise the loan market much this summer because he has bolstered his squad with eight new recruits already ahead of the new campaign. (The Herald)

Scotland goalkeeper Matt Gilks, who signed for Rangers this summer, has revealed that he nearly gave up football four years ago because the 34-year-old was so disillusioned with the game while being out of favour at Blackpool.(The Herald)

Rangers players have been ordered to steer clear of alcohol while on their pre-season trip in the United States, but manager Mark Warburton insists he trusts them to remain teetotal anyway. (Daily Record)

Kilmarnock manager Lee Clark has admitted that Rangers' return to Scotland's top flight helped him lure some of the 11 new recruits to Rugby Park.(Daily Record)

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers heaped praise on Nadir Ciftci, the striker who fell out of favour under Ronny Deila last season, after the 24-year-old scored in a 2-2 draw with Celje in a pre-season friendly. (Daily Mail)

Manager Brendan Rodgers has suggested that Nadir Ciftci, who has returned from his loan spell at Eskisehirspor, could still have a future at Celtic if he recovers the mobility he showed when breaking through as a teenager in England.(The Times, print edition)

Former Fulham manager Kit Symons believes that new Celtic signing Moussa Dembele can be just as good as £28m Everton striker Romelu Lukaku. (Daily Record)

Former Scotland Under-19 forward Mark Beck is on trial with Dunfermline Athletic after being freed by Yeovil Town. (The Herald, print edition)

Coach Andy Holden has left Hibernian to team-up again with Alan Stubbs, who left Easter Road to become Rotherham United manager this summer. (Daily Express, print edition)

OTHER GOSSIP

Colin Montgomerie believes that playing on his home course at Royal Troon can make him a contender for the title at the Open despite the 53-year-old now playing on the seniors tour. (The Sun)

An end to the Open Championship being staged at clubs with a male-only membership policy is expected to move a step closer when Royal Troon votes on allowing women members on Friday. (The Scotsman)