Scottish Gossip: Gordon Strachan, Scotland, Karamoko Dembele, Kilmarnock

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FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Gordon Strachan, the Scotland manager, would not be drawn on his position despite the national team slumping to a 3-0 defeat by Slovakia in Trnava that all but ends their chances of qualifying for the World Cup in Russia in two years time. (The Herald)

Strachan is adamant Scotland can still secure World Cup qualification by finishing second in Group F. (The Times)

The Scotland boss says his sympathy lies with the players after the 3-0 humbling by Slovakia. (The Scotsman)

Strachan refused to answer questions on his Scotland future, but admitted his players are in danger of cracking up under the strain of another qualification failure. (Daily Record)

With the pressure growing on Strachan, the Scotland boss came under-fire from a section of the Tartan Army at full-time in Trnava. (Scottish Sun)

David Marshall launched a staunch defence of Strachan and insisted he is still the man to lead Scotland forward. (Daily Express)

Paul Lambert is the bookies favourite to become the next Scotland manager after defeat in Slovakia piled even more pressure on Gordon Strachan. (Daily Record)

Gordon Strachan
Defeat in Slovakia piled more pressure on Scotland manager Gordon Strachan

Celtic are sweating over the fitness of defender Mikael Lustig after he injured his knee on World Cup duty for Sweden. (Daily Express)

Stoke City striker Wilfried Bony has told Celtic's 13-year-old wonderkid Karamoko Dembele he would love him to play for the Ivory Coast. (Scottish Sun)

Kilmarnock manager Lee Clark has admitted he may have to dive back into the transfer market yet again. The Rugby Park boss added 17 players to his squad in the summer. (The National)

Danny Swanson admits he could be tempted to extend his stay at St Johnstone after a flying start to the season. (Daily Record)

Dundee United goalkeeper Cammy Bell insists his Championship Player of the Month award is not solely down to his memorable hat-trick of penalty saves against Dunfermline. (The Scotsman)

Bell is still disappointed his remarkable treble penalty save did not make it into the Guiness Book of World Records - because he was not playing for a top-flight side. (Daily Record)

New Alloa boss Jim Goodwin has revealed he has been working towards management for over a decade. Goodwin replaced Jack Ross in the dugout but says he will also continue as a player. (The Scotsman)

OTHER GOSSIP

Ricky Burns
Ricky Burns (right) retained his WBA world super-lightweight title with a hard-fought points win over Kiryl Relikh

Ricky Burns is close to agreeing a deal to defend his WBA super-lightweight crown against former four weight world champion Adrien Broner in Las Vegas in February. (The Herald)

Barry McGuigan reckons Burns and Commonwealth Games golden boy Josh Taylor are on a collision course. (Scottish Sun)

Former All Blacks star Corey Flynn has been ruled out of Glasgow';s European Champions Cup showdown with English giants Leicester. (Daily Express)

Warriors hope to have Tim Swinson and Simone Favaro available for the match against Leicester. (The Times)

WP Nel, the Edinburgh prop, could face a race against time to regain match fitness and represent Scotland in next month's three Autumn Tests. Nel was been sidelined with a neck injury. (The Herald)