The latest news and gossip from around Scottish football. 

Shanks Old Firm target

Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland had a close eye kept on him by Celtic and Rangers scouts, according to reports.

The attacker notched a hat-trick against Morton at Tannadice.

The treble took him to 15 goals for the season and admirers from both of Scotland's big two were in attendance, claim the Daily Record.

Tosh McKinlay of the Hoops and Gers' Billy McLaren reportedly watched on as Ton were hammered 6-0.

McAuley hangs up the boots

Ex-Rangers defender Gareth McAuley has called time on his 23-year career.

The former West Brom and Northern Ireland star took to social media to confirm he has now retired from playing.

McAuley, 39, thanked all his former clubs and their supporters for their love over the years.

And he admitted it had always been a dream to play for the Ibrox club.

He said: "The final move was also a very special moment for me; signing for Rangers, the club I supported as a boy.

"To pull on that blue shirt meant the world to me."

Scott Brown hopes for payback

Celtic captain Scott Brown has vowed to do all he can to put right his Cluj nightmare.

The skipper handled the ball inside the penalty area to concede a penalty from which the Romanian side scored - before going on to KO the Hoops from the Champions League qualifiers.

And Brown hopes to be on the winning side this week in their Europa League re-run.

He said: “In the last match I gave away a hand ball, and that is not like me. It was just one of those freak things that happened.

“We didn’t perform the way we should again Cluj last time. That’s what we want to put right this time.

“Was I glad to get them again? I don’t know. When you look at the teams we have landed, we could have had an easier group."