The latest news and gossip from around Scottish football as Leeds join the race to land Sam Cosgrove, Celtic target Fabricio Bruno takes legal action over a potential Celtic move and the latest transfer rumblings. 

Leeds join race to land Sam Cosgrove

Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing Aberdeen's Sam Cosgrove with the club thought to have scouted the striker during the 2-1 defeat to Celtic. Cosgrove scored and was then sent-off against Celtic on Saturday. Derby. Stoke and Middlesbrough are also thought to be interested in the player.  (Scottish Sun)

Celtic target in legal action to force move

Celtic could sign Brazilian defender Fabricio Bruno for free after he took legal action against his current club Cruzeiro over unpaid wages as he looks to have his contract terminated. Bruno filed a lawsuit last week at the Regional Labour Court in Belo Horizonte to declare his contract null and void because he hadn't received wages from May to November and his agreed image rights weren't paid either. He also wants Cruzerio to pay him £2 million he claims he's owed and to rip up his contract. (Various)

Advantage Rangers in title race?

A Rangers victory against Celtic next week could hand them a major advantage in the title race. The Herald's Matthew Lindsay writes that a victory would then be a strong position entering a run of fixtures that will see them play 10 league games at home and just five away before the top six split in April and would be quietly confident of finally ending Celtic’s unprecedented spell of success. Celtic will, in stark contrast, have just six at home and eight away before the split.

READ MORE: Rare Parkhead win can give Rangers crucial edge over Celtic entering run of home games 

Joe Aribo: Neil Lennon's mind games won't work on Rangers - we're too strong mentally

Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo has claimed there is no chance of anyone getting into the heads of his Rangers teammates during the neck-and-neck Scottish title race - due to their strong mentality. He said: “People are going to say things and try to get into our heads. We just have to stay focused. I have the same pressure going into every game knowing that we have to win. Nothing really changes. We know we have to win regardless so I wouldn’t say there is any added pressure." (Herald

Halkett playing for future along with Hearts side

Hearts defender Craig Halkett says he and his teammates are playing for their futures as the Tynecastle club slipped to the bottom of the Premiership at the weekend. He said: “At a club like Hearts, if you aren’t playing well and doing your job, then the manager has every right to say you aren’t going to play. Everyone is playing for their futures now, we know that. (The Scotsman)

Austin McPhee and Craig Levein to share roles at Hearts 

Former manager Craig Levein and assistant Austin MacPhee are to share the role of director of football at Hearts until a new sporting director is appointed. Levein has been tasked with cutting the wage bill by owner Ann Budge, while MacPhee will identify targets for manager Daniel Stendel (Daily Record)

Scotland face sweat over McGinn

Scotland could be without John McGinn in the Euro 2020 play-offs next year after Aston Villa confirmed the player has suffered a fractured ankle and will be sidelined for up to three months. Head coach Steve Clarke remains hopeful Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn will recover in time for the national side's Euro 2020 play-off match with Israel in March. (Daily Record)

Celtic 'couldn't care less' about Rangers results

Boli Bolingoli says that the Celtic players couldn't care less what Rangers are doing. He said: "Mentally we are very strong. We just try to do our job you know.We try to do our job in such a way that we win every game. What Rangers do is good for them, but it’s not important to us. It’s not just about Rangers. The league is 12 teams and it’s not only playing against Rangers that is important. Every single game is important, starting with St Mirren on Boxing Day." (The Herald