Emerse Fae, the former Ivory Coast head coach who guided the Elephants to the knockout stage at this summer's World Cup, is reportedly eyeing the Hibernian managerial vacancy, according to Scottish Sun. The 42-year-old, a former Reading midfielder, holds family ties to Scotland — a connection believed to be fuelling his interest in the Edinburgh club.

Fae's emergence as a candidate comes at a time when Scottish football is awash with managerial intrigue. At Celtic, growing unease surrounds the position of manager Martin O'Neill after the club suffered heavy defeats against Rangers and Ferencvaros.

O'Neill's position at Celtic

Sources close to the club suggest O'Neill is not on the brink of the sack, yet the 74-year-old manager faces clear pressure to keep Celtic ahead of rivals Rangers in the table. Football Insider reports that maintaining that advantage is seen as crucial to his continued tenure.

In a candid admission, O'Neill himself told the Glasgow Times that "Celtic will be looking, soon enough, for someone to replace me" — though he insisted that his appetite for success this season remains intact.

Ruud Gullit, meanwhile, has dismissed any suggestion that Celtic could lure Frank Rijkaard back into management. Despite the door to his first coaching role since 2011 being opened, the 64-year-old former Chelsea manager has reportedly resisted any advances, according to The Herald.

Other Scottish football news

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin is set to undergo a minor operation within the next six weeks, following his return to work after a health scare last month, as reported by The Courier.

Bologna head coach Raffaele Palladino has spoken highly of Lewis Ferguson, praising the 27-year-old Scotland midfielder's versatility and intelligence. Ferguson had reportedly reached a verbal agreement to join Rangers this summer, though no concrete offer materialised, per the Daily Record.

Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg revealed to the Northern Echo that Connor Barron, on loan from Rangers, has yet to make his debut for the club — simply because no one in the current squad merits being dropped to make way.

Former United States goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who played under Martin O'Neill at Leicester City, has disclosed that he came close to reuniting with the Northern Irish manager at Celtic. Keller also revealed that Rangers showed an interest in him at separate points during his career, according to The Scotsman.