CELTIC captain Scott Brown is confident that Leigh Griffiths can get back to his best and challenge for a place in Neil Lennon's starting XI, Hearts target Daniel Stendel reportedly wants to stay in England and Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland faces a spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury on international duty.

Brown hopeful of Griffiths return

Scott Brown says that Leigh Griffiths' recovery has been progresing from playing in bounce games and reckons that the 29-year-old could challenge Odsonne Edouard for a place in Neil Lennon's side. The Celtic captain said: "He’s looking to get back in, he’s looking to get back to the fitness levels he had before and he’s going to have to play those bounce games to make sure he gets his match fitness more than anything. From there it is up to him and the manager how far he can push himself and if he can contend with Odsonne."

'Jack can start for Scotland ahead of Premier League trio'

Former Aberdeen, Rangers and Scotland midfielder Jim Bett is confident that Ryan Jack can keep the likes of John Fleck, Scott McTominay and Kenny McLean out of the Scotland line-up - so long as he continues his excellent form for Rangers. "He has got three, four, five players who can all slot into that midfield position," Bett said. "But Ryan did really well and if he is still injury-free and playing well for Rangers then he will expect to play in the next game."

Shankland faces 'weeks out'

Dundee United will be without the services of top scorer Lawrence Shankland for the next few weeks after the 24-year-old tore a muscel whilst away with the national team, according to the Daily Record. Shankland - who has scored 17 of United's 33 league goals this season - was reportedly injured in the warm-up against Cyprus last Saturday and will not be involved in the first team for "several weeks".

Brown refuses to rule out Scotland comeback

Celtic captain Scott Brown has refused to rule out the possibility of coming out of international retirement for a second time if Scotland reach Euro 2020 via the play-offs in March. "Football’s a funny game and you never know," he said. "I’m in a good place fitness-wise and in terms of my body and I make sure I keep myself ticking over. It’s been hard for me to watch the games because you always want to be playing in them but, at the end of the day, I need to look after No.1."

Hearts dealt Stendel blow

Hearts have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of former Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel, with the Scottish Sun reporting that the German would prefer his next managerial job to be based in England. They say that sources close to the 45-year-old have indicated that he would prefer to stay in England, rather than travelling north to fill the Tynecastle vacancy.

'Thistle can flourish under fan ownership model'

Douglas Dickie, co-chair of the 'Well Society, believes that the future is bright at Partick Thistle after Colin Weir finalised his takeover of the Firhill club yesterday. Weir has vowed to transfer his majority shareholding to fans free of charge - something that Dickie says will allow the club to flourish. "They are fortunate they have Colin Weir, and the shares are going to be a gift to the fans," Dickie said. "We had a slightly different scenario in that we had Les Hutchison coming in at the right time for us, and that was very helpful, but he had to be repaid. I think Partick Thistle have a good foundation there."