Rangers ace backed for Ibrox stay, shock Celtic manager favourite, Aberdeen make Scott Brown offer, Hibs hopeful on midfielder deal - Scottish Premiership Rumour Mill

Football in Scotland switches focus from the domestic game to the international scene as the national team begin their road to Qatar 2022 this evening.

Thursday's Scottish football headlines. Picture: SNS

Before the nation heads to its first tournament since France ‘98, they are required to get their World Cup qualification up and running.

Austria are the opponents at Hampden Park before a trip to face familiar opposition in Israel before the three-game international break concludes with a home tie against Faroe Islands.

The matches could see some new players make their Scotland debut as Steve Clarke looks to keep focus on these upcoming games rather than Euro 2020 this summer.

Domestically, the fall out from the Hearts defeat to Brora Rangers rumbles on as does speculation regarding the next Celtic boss.

Here is all of Thursday's main Scottish football headlines:

Roy Keane has emerged as the surprise new odds-on favourite to become the next Celtic manager. The Manchester United and Ireland legend has previously been reported to be keen on the position. The bookmakers have installed him ahead of Enzo Maresca, John Kennedy and Chris Wilder. (The Scotsman)

Rangers star James Tavernier has been backed to stay at Rangers. The right-back has been linked with a move back to England in the past but former Celtic favourite Frank McAvennie has revealed the player is happy in Glasgow. He said: “I used to live beside him… I think he likes living in Glasgow though, it’s a fantastic city.” (Football Insider)

Rafa Benitez has revealed his “priority” is a return to England despite interest from the UAE, United States, Brazil and China. The former Liverpool and Newcastle United boss has also been touted as a possible next Celtic manager. (The Times)

Che Adamas could be handed his Scotland debut against Austria. The Scots play Austria at Hampden Park in a World Cup qualifier this evening. Manager Steve Clarke has admitted he has “big" decisions and that the standard has gone up. (The Scotsman)

Scott Brown has been offered a two-year deal by Aberdeen to become a player-coach, working as new boss Stephen Glass’ assistant manager. The Celtic captain is set to take the deal, turning down a one-year contract extension to stay at Parkhead. (Scottish Sun)

Celtic fan group the Green Brigade delivered a message to the club’s principal shareholder Dermot Desmond following his recent interview with the club's website. Desmond hit out at critics who are in “no position to judge what they cannot see”. The Green Brigade accused Desmond of still being “disconnected from the Celtic support”. (Scottish Sun)

Hearts defender Christophe Berra has admitted the defeat to Brora Rangers has been coming, stating “it's probably a multitude of things adding up”. The Tynecastle board have no plans to change manager despite fan anger but are expected to reflect on the defeat. (Evening News)

Hibs boss Jack Ross is more confident of keeping Jackson Irvine. He believes the club have put themselves in a “competitive position to try to keep him at the club” following the expiry of the Australian's deal at the end of the season. (Evening News)