Scottish gossip: Alistair Johnston, George Hirst, Rangers manager

Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston has emerged as a shock transfer target for Serie A leaders Inter Milan. (InterLive via Scottish Sun)

The San Francisco 49ers-backed consortium poised to take over Rangers is considering Rafael Benitez as the next permanent manager at Ibrox. (Daily Record)

Kevin Muscat has also been linked with Rangers but he has reiterated his commitment to Shanghai Port with the club on the brink of exiting the Asian Champions League. (Daily Record)

Sheffield-born striker George Hirst has been on Scotland‘s radar since July 2024. (Scottish Sun)

Director Ian Gordon says Hibernian have had about 50 applications for the vacant chief executive role and that the board is focusing on someone who can get a handle on the business side of the club and end their financial losses. (Daily Record)

Ben Doak’s agent Jackie McNamara says the Scotland winger would have stayed at Celtic rather than move to Liverpool if ex-boss Ange Postecoglou had guaranteed him a place in his first team. (Scottish Sun)

Former Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi has been tipped for a quick exit from Rennes this summer after again being overlooked by his new manager Habib Beye. (Daily Record)

Mystery still surrounds Ryan Kent’s departure from Fenerbahce in Istanbul nearly five months after the former Rangers winger had his contract with the Turkish club terminated by mutual consent. (The Herald)

Motherwell‘s Andy Halliday said he told Lennon Miller to reject the call if Udinese phoned him in January because “the sky’s the limit” for the midfielder. (Scottish Sun)

A new £300m project – which will include a new stadium for Aberdeen and is being compared to the planned redevelopment of Old Trafford – has been unveiled for Aberdeen beach. (Press & Journal)

Queen’s Park boss Callum Davidson plans to use on-loan Rangers defender Leon King as a central midfielder between now and the end of the season. (Scottish Sun)

SPFL bosses say Police Scotland has told them it is open to discussions’ aimed at lifting Scottish football’s alcohol ban after more than 40 years. (Scottish Sun)

Former Hibernian boss Lee Johnson is set to be announced as the new manager of Belgian side Lommel, who are part of the City Football Group which owns Manchester City. (Scottish Sun)