Rumour Mill: Rodgers happy for Dundee to win Celtic the title | McLean tells Rangers to catch Dons if they can

Dundee boss Paul Hartley, right, could give Brendan Rodgers and Celtic the title a few days earlier than planned. Pic: SNS

Rodgers: I’m happy for Dundee to win title for Celtic

Celtic may be one victory away from the title, but their manager Brendan Rodgers doesn’t mind if Dundee clinch it for them by beating Aberdeen on March 31. The Parkhead side will win the league if they beat Hearts at Tynecastle on April 2, although it could be done by then depending on other results. Rodgers said: “It would be a good to win it at Tynecastle. We have nine games left in the league. The ideal scenario would be you win it yourself but I will take Dundee winning it.” (various)

Caixinha to give Rangers a six-day week

New Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha will demand his players train a six-day week over the international break. Speaking after the 4-0 win over Hamilton, Caixinha said: “I am a workaholic, but the things I enjoy most are planning training sessions and being with the players.” (various)

Cooper brought in to bolster Scotland squad

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has drafted Leeds defender Liam Cooper into the Scotland squad for the friendly against Canada on Wednesday and the World Cup Qualifier against Slovenia on Sunday. However, Strachan has lost the services of James McArthur, Matt Phillips and Grant Hanley due to injury. (various)

Catch Dons if you can, McLean tells Rangers

Aberdeen midfielder Kenny McLean has told Rangers that they will have a big fight on their hands to overhaul the Dons in second place in the Premiership. Aberdeen are eight points ahead of the Ibrox side and after defeating Hearts 2-0, McLean said: “If they think they can get second, good luck to them, but we’ll have something to say about it. We are not going to stop any time soon, so if they want second, they are going to have to work hard for it.” (various)

Nade ‘should have been sent off’

Hibs defender Jordon Forster reckons Dumbarton striker Christian Nade should have been sent off for taking a swing at him during the 2-2 draw between the teams on Saturday. “He lifted his hands to me, there was contact,” said Forster. “Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t a Mike Tyson punch but he definitely made contact and by the rules of the game it’s definitely a sending off.” (Edinburgh Evening News)

Cathro: We’ll work hard to eradicate gap

Hearts head coach Ian Cathro admits he is galled by the gap between the Jambos and Aberdeen, but says the club will work hard to close it. “We will look at every aspect of our work to make sure that such a gap never exists again,” said the Hearts coach. “We will improve the squad through work, through time together and from living through these difficult experiences together.” (various)

In brief

• Ross Draper believes Inverness will turn their season around and avoid relegation after their late equaliser against Ross County.

• Dundee United goalkeeper Cammy Bell hopes that winning the Irn-Bru Cup next weekend can lift them for the promotion battle in the Championship.

• Kilmarnock’s on-loan striker Conor Sammon hopes to catch the eye of Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill and force his way into their squad.

• Motherwell striker Scott McDonald has called on officials to up their game, saying that they are making too many errors.

• Liam Craig wants to break Paul Wright’s record number of goals in the top flight for St Johnstone and write himself into the history books.

• Partick defender Liam Lindsay has admitted he’s “disappointed” not to be called into the Scotland squad for this week’s internationals.

• Midfielder John McGinn will let Neil Lennon and Gordon Strachan decide whether he plays for Hibs or Scotland over the weekend.

Click here for the latest results, fixtures and stats>>>

Keep up to date with all our sport news on The Scotsman’s Sport page on Facebook 

DOWNLOAD THE SCOTSMAN APP ON ITUNES OR GOOGLE PLAY