Scottish Gossip: Celtic, Leigh Griffiths, Rangers, Joleon Lescott, Hearts, ICT – BBC Sport

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FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Brendan Rodgers has insisted Leigh Griffiths is no cheat after the Celtic striker was booked for diving in their win over St Johnstone. (Various)

Motherwell striker Scott McDonald reckons Celtic are far better than Rangers on current form. (Sunday Mail, newspaper edition)

Mark Warburton has insisted Aston Villa owner Dr Tony Xia is talking “nonsense” with claims the Rangers boss scuppered the deal for Joleon Lescott. (Various)

Richie Foran has taken the blame for Caley Thistle’s trouncing at Hearts and promised reinforcements are en route to Inverness. (Various)

Joe Garner became the biggest summer signing for Rangers after being stunned by the Ibrox trophy room. (Scottish Sun on Sunday)

Hearts director of football Craig Levein insists head coach Robbie Neilson has full control over first-team affairs at Tynecastle. (Mail on Sunday, newspaper edition)

Mark Warburton makes a point to his Rangers players during their 2-1 win over Motherwell<!–

Mark Warburton has hit back at Aston Villa’s claims over the collapse of Joleon Lescott’s move

Mark Warburton admits he’s reluctant to scour Europe for signings – because Rangers can’t afford the “luxury” of letting them settle in. (Various)

Scottish football will learn at the start of next month whether it has a future in the Champions League after Uefa revealed when they will announce their proposed shake-up of the tournament. (Mail on Sunday)

Ross County boss Jim McIntyre has urged fans to trust his judgement in the transfer market after silencing his critics with a thumping win over Kilmarnock. (Sunday Mail)

Partick Thistle boss Alan Archibald will hit Sean Welsh in the pocket for his daft red card against Aberdeen. (Scottish Sun)

Rory Loy believes it’s time Dundee forgot about Kane Hemmings and Greg Stewart. (Various)

Kevin Thomson, the former Hibs, Rangers and Dundee midfielder, has left Tranent Juniors after just three appearances and one goal. (Scotland on Sunday).

OTHER GOSSIP

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend insists there is no chance of him switching off in his final year at the club before he takes over Scotland. (Mail on Sunday)

History was made at Murrayfield yesterday when Oban Lorne’s Dee Bradbury was voted into office as president of the Scottish Rugby Union, meaning she will become the governing body’s first female president in two years’s time. (Scotland on Sunday)