Rumour Mill: Celtic v Maribor | Efe Ambrose

SFA president Campbell Ogilvie. Picture: John Devlin

Maribor confident of Celtic win

Maribor’s Dare Vrsic is confident his side can continue their winning run against Scottish teams when they take on Celtic in tonight’s Champions League qualifier.

The Slovenian side have put both Rangers and Hibs out of Europe in recent seasons and believe they can also see off the Parkhead outfit. (Record)

• Ronny Deila said that the guilt he felt following his side’s 6 - 1 aggregate defeat to Legia Warsaw left him feeling like a “murderer” (Sun)

• Maribor player Marko Suler has vowed to defeat Celtic as a favour to his former Legia Warsaw team mates

Celtic v Maribor - kick-off and TV details

7.45pm kick-off - Ljudski vrt Stadium

Live on Sky Sports and BBC Radio Scotland MW

Celtic leave Efe Ambrose behind - by accident

Celtic saw their Champions League qualifying campaign take another bizarre administrative twist when they mistakenly left Efe Ambrose at home when they flew to Maribor for the first leg of their play-off round tie.

The Scottish champions believed the Nigerian defender, sent off in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie against Legia Warsaw, was still suspended for tonight’s game in Slovenia.

But following their arrival in Maribor yesterday afternoon, they discovered Ambrose is in fact eligible and have now made plans for him to travel today and join the rest of the squad. (Scotsman)

• Celtic loan signing Mubarak Wakaso has failed to receive clearance to play in tonight’s match against Maribor

SFA to use Commonwealth Games to help Euro 2020 bid

Campbell Ogilvie says the Scottish Football Association will use the success of the Commonwealth Games as a lobbying tool in their attempt to bring Euro 2020 matches to Hampden Park.

The governing body has submitted a bid to host three group fixtures and a last 16 matches in the pan-European tournament. A decision will be made on September 19. (Herald)

Duo handed bans for Edinburgh derby bust up

Jamie Walker and Lewis Stevenson have each been handed a two-match suspension for their actions during Sunday’s Edinburgh derby between Hearts and Hibs.

Referee Willie Collum sent off Scott Robertson of Hibs and Hearts’ Osman Sow, but their errant team-mates escaped punishment on the day and were able to see out the Championship match, which Hearts won 2-1. Officials apparently missed the moment late in the game when Stevenson had a sneaky dig at second-half substitute Walker, who reacted by going head to head with his rival. But having reviewed the footage, the SFA compliance officer Vincent Lunny, has issued the pair with notices of complaint.

Walker was cited for violent conduct “by headbutting or attempting to headbutt an opposing player, namely Lewis Stevenson”, while Stevenson was charged with serious foul play “by stamping or attempting to stamp on an opposing player, namely Jamie Walker”.

The clubs have until 3pm today to appeal if they want to challenge the decision at a hearing tomorrow. (Scotsman)

Lewis Macleod tipped to be Rangers star

Kris Boyd has tipped Lewis Macleod to follow in Barry Ferguson’s footsteps and become a top star in Scottish football. The 20 year-old has firmly established himself in Ally McCoist’s side and scored two goals against Clyde in the Ibrox side’s 8 - 1 Petrofac Cup win. (Various)

• Rangers keeper Cammy Bell has been told he will only be out for two weeks after suffering a shoulder injury during Friday night’s 2 - 0 win against Falkirk. It had been feared that Bell would have been sidelined for months. (Express)

Mackay has no hard feelings against Boerrigter

St Johnstone skipper Dave Mackay harbours no personal animosity towards Derk Boerrigter after the Celtic midfielder accepted a two-match ban for diving during last week’s league clash between the teams.

The Dutch player was cited by the Scottish Football Association’s compliance officer after falling to the ground under a challenge by Mackay which led to the St Johnstone defender’s dismissal. Celtic scored the resultant penalty on the way to a 3-0 win. (Scotsman)

Celtic have nothing to feel guilty about - Stokes

Anthony Stokes has expressed his sympathy for Legia Warsaw but insists Celtic have nothing to feel guilty about as they take their place in the play-off round of the Champions League.

The Polish champions lost their battle to be reinstated in the tournament after their error in fielding a suspended player in the closing minutes of their 6-1 aggregate win over Celtic in the third qualifying round caused their elimination. (Scotsman)

IN BRIEF

• Malky Mackay has said he will be appointed manager of Crystal Palace barring any last minute glitches

Rumour Mill: Celtic v Maribor | Efe Ambrose | Euro 2020