Bologna are reportedly being encouraged to move for Kieron Bowie, with Scotland team-mate Lewis Ferguson pushing the Serie A club to act for the 23-year-old striker. Bowie, sold by Hibernian in January, is said to be facing relegation with Hellas Verona as Bologna weigh up a summer move.

The link to Bologna is the clearest strand in a Scottish gossip roundup that also touches on Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen, but Bowie is the name drawing the sharpest attention. Ferguson’s backing gives the story added weight, because it comes from inside the Scotland camp and from a player who knows what Bologna would be getting if they decide to move.

That makes the next few weeks important for Bowie, whose career has already moved quickly this year after Hibernian let him go in January. If Bologna follow Ferguson’s lead, Verona’s relegation battle could become more than a background problem for the forward, and it could put him on a bigger stage in Italy at the first real opportunity.

Elsewhere, Liam Scales has reiterated his commitment to Celtic, saying he never wanted to leave despite interest from other clubs. Findlay Curtis may yet spend next season away from Rangers again on loan, while Cyriel Dessers said Rangers were ready to let him move on well before his transfer to Panathinaikos last summer. Dessers also described Youssef Chermiti as a “complete” striker.

There were also fresh views on managers and players elsewhere in Scotland. Tony Mowbray said Manchester United winger Amad Diallo was left damaged by his loan spell with Rangers, though he believes he helped restore the winger’s confidence at Sunderland. Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson said he can now target players who are ready for the Scottish Premiership and can bring freshness to his squad after survival was secured, while Oli McBurnie said he has done everything he can to earn a Scotland recall for this summer’s World Cup after scoring 17 goals to help Hull City reach the Championship play-offs.

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl said his full focus remains on Rangers despite a report linking him with Wolfsburg, and Scott Arfield sought advice from former Rangers manager Michael Beale before his first match as Livingston caretaker boss. Jimmy Thelin, fired by Aberdeen four months ago, said he is finally ready to return to management, although he and Elfsborg agreed it was too soon for a return to the club he led for almost seven years.