Rumour Mill: Rodgers slams BT Sport's Celtic and Rangers disparity | Old Firm semi-final | Tynecastle '˜behind schedule'

Brendan Rodgers wasn't happy with the amount of times BT Sport replayed Craig Gordon's challenge. Picture: PA

Brendan Rodgers criticised BT Sport for amount of replays shown for Celtic fouls compared with Rangers, Celtic and Rangers will meet in the semi-final of the BetFred Cup, and Hearts' stadium redevelopment plans have fallen three weeks behind schedule.

Brendan Rodgers questions BT Sport

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has questioned why BT Sport showed 14 replays of a borderline red card Craig Gordon challenge, but only showed two of Harry Forrester’s tackle the night before.

He said: “I saw similar games with similar profile over the course of the last week, where a player arguably should have been sent off, and the video was shown twice. It would be interesting to hear from BT Sport just to see why there is that difference” (Various)

Celtic and Rangers to meet in semi

Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers will face each other for a place in the final of the Betfred Cup. The Glasgow giants were paired together in the draw for the last four, with Aberdeen facing Championship side Morton. Premiership champions Celtic beat promoted Rangers 5-1 when the sides met earlier this month. (The Scotsman)

Hearts main stand behind schedule

Hearts’ stadium development plans have fallen around three weeks behind schedule but owner Ann Budge is keeping her fingers crossed that they will be given the go-ahead to get work underway at a planning meeting next month.

With all the background work completed, the club are hoping the October meeting of the city planners will rubber stamp the proposed works and allow them to start dismantling surrounding structures. (The Scotsman)

Brendan Rodgers hails refs

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has heaped praise on the standard of Scottish refereeing and questioned what he regards as imbalanced scrutiny from BT Sport of contentious decisions which have gone in his team’s favour over the past week.

Rodgers leapt to the defence of referee Alan Muir, who was widely criticised for only booking Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon for a high challenge on Alloa striker Greig Spence during Wednesday’s Betfred Cup quarter-final, insisting the official made the correct call and was “outstanding” throughout the 90 minutes. (The Scotsman)

Celtic No.1 still open

When Craig Gordon was relegated to the substitutes’ bench for the first time by Brendan Rodgers a month ago, it was regarded by many as confirmation his time was up as Celtic’s number one goalkeeper, with Dorus de Vries taking over.

But Rodgers insists there are no guarantees for either man and has also challenged the widespread view that he will always favour de Vries because of his reputation of being superior to Gordon with the ball at his feet. (The Scotsman)

Marvin Bartley ‘vital’ to Hibs

Neil Lennon has stressed the importance of Marvin Bartley to the Hibernian cause after the combative midfielder was cleared to play in tomorrow’s mouth-watering encounter against shock Championship leaders Queen of the South.

Bartley, 30, was hastily dismissed by referee Nick Walsh during last weekend’s shock 2-1 defeat by Ayr United following a late challenge on Jamie Adams. (The Scotsman)

Former boss hails input of Joey Barton

Sean Dyche can’t understand why Joey Barton hasn’t been a glowing success at Rangers after the midfielder starred under the Burnley boss in last season’s promotion-winning campaign.

He said: “I can only give my opinion about my time with him and he was fantastic for us, on and off the pitch, inside the camp and outside the camp.” (Sky Sports)

Old Firm won’t get EFL invite

Celtic and Rangers will not be asked to join the English Football League after the EFL decided against inviting “clubs from non-English leagues” in their new structure.

The Old Firm have long been linked with a move south of the border as the revenue gap continues to increase between Scotland and England. (The Scotsman)

Joey Barton must take betting rap on chin

Partick Thistle midfielder Steven Lawless has advised Joey Barton to just take his punishment over the SFA betting charge.

The Rangers midfielder is being investigated over claims he placed a bet on a Celtic match, which goes against strict SFA laws. (Daily Record)

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