Rumour Mill: Griffiths slams referee | Rangers’ five-year plan

Dave King stressed that it will take time to sort out Rangers' finances. Picture: SNS

Leigh Griffiths could face rap over Thomson comments

Leigh Griffiths could face disciplinary action from the SFA for criticism of referee Craig Thomson after Celtic’s 2-1 defeat by Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

The Celtic striker claimed Thomson favoured the home side when he only booked Aberdeen defender Andrew Considine for the foul which conceded a first-half penalty.

Griffiths converted the spot-kick to put the Scottish champions ahead but Aberdeen stormed back with a penalty equaliser of their own through Adam Rooney and a late winner by Paul Quinn to move two points clear at the top of the Premiership table with a game in hand. (Scotland on Sunday)

Paul Quinn: McInnes pep talk inspired Aberdeen

Aberdeen match-winner Paul Quinn has credited Derek McInnes’ half-time team talk with giving the players the inspiration required to win.

The Dons manager painted a picture of every media outlet congratulating the team for their efforts, but concluding they wouldn’t be strong enough to match Celtic in the title race.

Quinn says the players then took to the field for the second half with a burning desire to stop that vision from becoming a reality. (Mail on Sunday)

Dave King: Five years to sort out Rangers finances

Rangers chairman Dave King believes it will take the club five years to come out of the financial mess left behind by his predecessors.

King spoke earlier this week of wanting to bring oldco Rangers out of liquidation, and for the first-team to challenge for the Scottish Premiership next season.

However, the ongoing legal cases against Charles Green and Craig Whyte, along with the complexities of Rangers’ finances in recent years, not least the deal with Mike Ashley and Sports Direct, means it will be sometime before everything is sorted out behind the scenes. (Various)

Mark Warburton not content with Rangers victory

Despite strolling to a 3-0 victory over lowly Livingston, Rangers boss Mark Warburton stated his displeasure with his side’s performance yesterday, insisting they were well below their best.

Although, Warburton admits he was happy with the reaction of his players after they left the park following the full-time whistle.

“We fell way below our standards today,” he said. “There is not lack or respect to the opposition – far from it – but we know that today we didn’t move the ball well. We didn’t take care of it. We didn’t create enough chances. We dropped too deep.

“But the good thing from that is that we had an inquest. The players demanded it and we let them talk. The players were angry because they weren’t at the right level this afternoon. They had a few heated words and that’s great because we will work hard this week and demand even more. (The Scotsman)

Hearts have to be mentally stronger - Neil Alexander

Neil Alexander has called on his younger Hearts team-mates to be stronger mentally and more disciplined in their defensive approach to the game.

The Jambos have lost two straight following a five-game winning streak to start the league season and face a stern test with Aberdeen and Celtic up next in the Scottish Premiership.

Alexander says the players must realise that when things aren’t going for them in attack they need to be more focused on keeping a clean sheet at the other end. (Mail on Sunday)

Under-fire Jackie McNamara accepts blame for United slide

Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara has accepted his portion of the blame for the team’s dismal run of form in 2015. His side have won just five matches since the sale of Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong to Celtic in January, and have taken only four points from the opening seven games to begin this season.

United supporters could be heard calling for their manager to resign after yesterday’s defeat to Kilmarnock and McNamara admits the “buck stops with him”. (Mail on Sunday)

Robert Lewandowski: Scotland need to play fair

Robert Lewandowski has launched another attack on Scotland defender Gordon Greer for the “brutal foul” inflicted on the striker during the 2-2 draw in Warsaw last year.

The Bayern Munich striker excuses his subdued performance that night with the injury sustained in the challenge, which Lewandowski says took three weeks to heal.

He hopes Scotland will play “hard but fair” when the sides meet at Hampden next month. (Sunday Post)