The Rumour Mill: Friday’s Scottish football news and gossip

In today’s Rumour Mill: Wolves eyeing up Strachan, Mike Ashley facing battle for Ibrox naming rights, plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

Wolves chase Gordon Strachan

Scotland could miss out on Gordon Strachan to Wolves, if the Championship side decide to remove manager Stale Solbakken.

Strachan, bookmakers’ favourite for the vacant national post, is believed to be a key target for the Molineux board should results continue to suffer for the mid-table club. The news follows Joe Jordan’s reunion with Harry Redknapp at QPR, with Redknapp stating that it would be Jordan’s decision whether he takes on the Scotland role as well. (Daily Express)

Mike Ashley facing competition over Ibrox naming rights

Ibrox could be rebranded as the Sports Direct Arena, under one of a number of re-branding proposals from Rangers chief executive Charles Green. Mike Ashley, the owner of Sports Direct as well as Newcastle United, has reportedly opened talks over a £1.5million naming rights deal. (Daily Record)

Dunfermline players will be paid today, says Jefferies

Jim Jefferies has insisted that his Dunfermline squad will receive thei unpaid November wages today. He said: “We were told by the club why the salaries were behind schedule and told the October and November wages would be difficult months.

“We are hopeful from December onwards it will be plain sailing and we will take Gavin [Masterson, majority shareholder in the club] at his word he is trying to sort everything out to the best of his abilities.”

Dunfermline were unable to pay an oustanding tax bill of £81,000 last week. (Daily Record)

SFA to take time over appointment of new manager

Stewart Regan has insisted that the SFA will take their time before appointing a new Scotland manager. The SFA chief told The Sun that the association would not be rushed into a quick hire.

Regan said: “We can only work with the candidates who are interested. If people wish to take their chances and take a job somewhere else - that happens in every walk of life.

“If people are passionate about the job and they believe this is THE job for them, they’ll be available when the time comes.” (The Sun)

Pressley hopes Cup run can keep players at Falkirk

Falkirk boss Steven Pressley hopes that a Scottish Cup run can keep him from needing to sell his top players.

Speaking ahead of his side’s Scottish Cup tie with Stenhousemuir, Pressley said: “A cup run would make a big difference in terms of January and we may not then be forced to sell a player. Last season generated a great degree of income in reaching the semi-finals of a national competition and this would be the same.

“But there’s no pressure on the players, I don’t want them to feel pressure but that’s the reality.” (Daily Record)

Celtic pondering bid for Iranian striker Karim Ansarifard

Celtic are considering a move for Iranian international striker Karim Ansarifard. The highly-touted 22-year-old has been linked with Everton and Borussia Dortmund, but Neil Lennon is apparently keen to take the Persepolis striker to Parkhead on trial. (The Sun)

Football news in brief

• St Mirren midfielder John McGinn has signed a new three-year deal at the club. (Daily Express)

• All Scotland youth teams will play in a Barcelona-style 4-3-3 formation from now on, according to a brochure to be given to youth players by the SFA. (The Sun)

• Hearts legend John Robertson has warned the SPL against viewing Ross County and Inverness Caley Thistle as “country bumpkins”. Robertson, a former manager at both sides, believes that either side could go on to lift the Scottish Cup. (Daily Mail)

• Dundee striker Carl Finnigan will have a second operation on his injured knee next week. The striker has been out of actiona all season, and has yet to kick a ball for Dundee since his summer move from St Johnstone. (The Sun)

• Arbroath defender Mark Baxter is hopeful that he will be fully fit for his side’s Scottish Cup tie with Celtic this weekend, after he suffered a freak injury while putting petrol in his car. (The Sun)