Thursday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain has demanded a Uefa probe into violence inside Ghencea Stadium in Romania, claiming that poor stewarding sparked crowd trouble at Wednesday's Champions League game away to Unirea Urziceni. (Various)

Martin Bain says he feared trouble before Wednesday's game between Rangers and Unirea because of poor organisation from the Romanian authorities. (Daily Express)

A number of Rangers supporters wearing Stone Island and Burberry and speaking with Cockney accents were spotted before the match in Romania. (Daily Record)

Police in Hamburg are not expecting trouble from Celtic fans ahead of Thursday's Europa League tie despite home fans trying to stir up a confrontation on via website entries. (Daily Record)

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray has dismissed statistics suggesting that his side are the most shot-shy in the Europa League. (Various)

Celtic full-back Andreas Hinkel hopes to boost his chances of making Germany's World Cup finals squad by impressing against Hamburg. (The Sun)

Celtic striker Scott McDonald has been dropped from Australia's squad for the Asian Cup qualifier against Oman and could miss out on the World Cup. (Various)

Scotland and Derby defender Jay McEveley says he died during surgery, his heart having stopped for two minutes during a routine operation to repair a fractured cheekbone. (Various)

Manchester United and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher is one bad tackle away from being forced to have ankle surgery. (Various)

Hibernian forward Derek Riordan has been threatened with a lifetime ban for sneaking into a comedy show while serving a five-year ban from all 45 clubs in the capital's Unight security scheme following a string of bust-ups. (The Sun)

Birmingham and Middlesbrough will go head-to-head in a battle to sign Hamilton's James McArthur and have already made inquiries about the midfielder. (Various)

Former West Brom defender Pedro Pele is on trial with Falkirk, who are also hoping to sign Plymouth striker Steven MacLean on loan in January. (The Sun)

Dundee United striker Francisco Sandaza will be missing for another six weeks after being told he needs surgery to repair abductor muscle damage. (Daily Record)

St Johnstone forward Jonatan Johansson wants to face Aberdeen at the weekend despite having 10 stitches in a head wound. (Various)

Former Aberdeen striker Joe Harper says the team should get rid of its huddle because they look like Celtic copycats. (Various)

Hull-born Aberdeen winger Peter Pawlett has become the second player to be called up by Scotland using the new five years of schooling rule after being chosen for the Under-19 squad to face Germany. (Various)

Ayr United have been put up for sale by American owner Lachlan Cameron, the millionaire saying that he has taken the struggling First Division club as far as he can. (Various)

OTHER GOSSIP

Andy Murray believes that his injury lay-off could help him in his quest to win the Australian Open title. (Various)

There are fears that Scotland will struggle to sign a big-name cricket professional if clubs vote for a 14-team Premiership from 2011 because they may choose to save money if there is no promotion or relegation. (Various)

Josh Grajczonek has re-signed for speedway outfit Glasgow Tigers. (Various)