Scottish gossip: Kenneth Vargas, Hearts, Celtic, Johnny Russell

Hearts forward Kenneth Vargas said Scotland does not have “a very good footballing level” and expressed a desire to leave Tynecastle in January to play against “better-level players”, while on international duty with Costa Rica. (ESPN, in Spanish), external

Vargas’ teammate Jorge Grant – who is out of contract at the end of the season – says he would like to stay in Edinburgh, but a new deal has “not been discussed”. (Daily Record), external

Celtic are reportedly tracking Brondby forward Mathias Kvistgaarden, with Nicolas Kuhn being linked with a Premier League move. (Daily Record), external