Rumour Mill: Rangers stars '˜look like idiots' | Celtic criticise Football Act

Ryan Bowman, left, says Motherwell were motivated by Rangers' disrespect. Picture: SNS

Rumour Mill: Pedro Caixinha '˜a disgrace' | Rangers star tweets picture of injur...

Rangers ‘look like idiots’

Ryan Bowman insists the actions of Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha and a few Ibrox first-team stars motivated Motherwell to victory in the Betfred Cup semi-final. The striker says his Fir Park team-mates were fired up for the game after seeing Caixinha say Rangers needed “to win or win”, a slogan which a number of the players then used on social media. Bowman believes those same players now ‘look like idiots’ after the 2-0 defeat. (Daily Record)

Celtic criticise act

Celtic have criticised the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, saying the legislation is counter-productive and has deteriorated the relationship between fans and the police. Celtic were the only club to respond to requests for written submissions as Holyrood collects evidence for the bill to scrap the act. The Parkhead club even believe that “certain songs and chants” are more prevalent now than they were before the legislation. (Evening Times)

Rodgers blasts refs

Brendan Rodgers has delivered a scathing critique of referee Steven McLean’s performance during Sunday’s Betfred Cup semi-final at Hampden, suggesting his lack of authority could have threatened the “lives and careers” of some of the players involved. The Celtic manager’s startlingly forthright observations on the match in which Motherwell defeated Rangers 2-0 to book a place against his team in next month’s final also included a thinly-veiled condemnation of the robust style of play adopted by the Fir Park club under Stephen Robinson this season. (The Scotsman)

McCann queries penalty decision

Dundee boss Neil McCann was unhappy with his players after attacker A-Jay Leitch-Smith was allowed to take a penalty on Saturday despite not being the designated taker. Sofien Moussa, who is supposed to be on penalty duty and was on the pitch at the time, looked on as his team-mate had his spot-kick saved. Dundee were leading Partick Thistle 1-0 and would eventually lose the match 2-1. (Evening Telegraph)

SPFL to meet with Motherwell and Celtic

The SPFL will meet with officials from both Celtic and Motherwell before deciding how many tickets to allocate to each side before the Betfred Cup final. Celtic were furious on the day of their semi-final with Hibs after they learned the Easter Road club had only sold half their briefs, even though they’d demanded a 50/50 split. The SPFL does not want a repeat in the final. (Daily Record)

Lennon compares Hibs striker to Harry Kane

Neil Lennon says Hibs kid Oli Shaw reminds him of a young Harry Kane. Explaining his comments, Lennon said Shaw, like Kane, was a “big lanky so-and-so” who’s a deceptively good footballer. The Hibs manager is pondering whether to start the 19-year-old in today’s Edinburgh derby. (Scottish Sun)

McKinnon’s lawyers looked in talks with United

Lawyers for Ray McKinnon and Dundee United are negotiating the manager’s departure from the club. Despite several news sources reporting McKinnon’s imminent departure, which began on Saturday evening, there has yet to be confirmation about his exit. United have already begun to look for his replacement despite the ongoing wrangle. (Scottish Sun)

Callachan unfazed by derby debut

Hearts may be going into tonight’s Edinburgh derby searching for their first win over Hibs in more than three years, but Ross Callachan certainly won’t be running out at Easter Road with any inferiority complex. As he prepares to play in the Capital’s showpiece fixture for the first time, the 24-year-old midfielder is buoyed by an impressive personal record against the Hibees. (Evening News)

Rumour Mill: Rangers stars '˜look like idiots' | Celtic criticise Football Act | Rodgers slams Scottish referees