FOOTBALL GOSSIP
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster intends to at the heart of cross-border league reform talks between Europe’s top power brokers. (Herald)
Former Rangers midfielder Ian Durrant thinks it will be difficult for anyone to stop Celtic winning a record 10 league titles in a row. (Daily Express)
Ricky Sbragia has stepped down as manager of Scotland’s Under-21 side following a dismal Euro 2017 campaign, with Scot Gemmill being promoted from the age groups below. (Daily Record)
Celtic duo Leigh Griffiths and Kieran Tierney are expected to be fit for Saturday’s showdown with Rangers after withdrawing from the Scotland squad last week. (Daily Mail)
Former Rangers winger turned TV pundit Neil McCann is backing Joey Barton to keep his cool on his Old Firm derby debut. (Herald)
But ex-Celtic midfielder Alan Thomson believes Rangers midfielder Barton is susceptible to being wound up during Saturday’s league meeting. (The National)
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton is enjoying life as a media pundit and thinks his old team are “moving significantly ahead” of Glasgow rivals Rangers. (Herald)
Another ex-Celtic star, John Hartson, is backing Leigh Griffiths to continue his hot streak of form against Rangers. (Daily Mail)
Defender Erik Sviatchenko insists Celtic are a much fitter team compared to the one knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Rangers last season. (Daily Record)
Rangers assistant manager Davie Weir is confident his team will have no trouble keeping their emotions in check during the first derby of the season. (Sky Sports)
Scotland’s women could qualifying for Euro 2017 before their final group match in Iceland if results in other groups go their way next week. Belgium, Russia, Italy and Finland must all win to have any chance of overtaking the Scots as one of the best six group runners-up. (The National)
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster urges clubs to keep “an open mind” on the idea of Rangers and Celtic U20 teams entering League Two. (Scotsman)
Celtic coach John Kennedy believes Scottish football would benefit from Old Firm colt teams joining the senior league pyramid. (The National)
Defender Josh Meekings wants more time to consider a new two-year contract extension at Inverness Caledonian Thistle. (Daily Express, print edition)
Livingston boss David Hopkins fears a logistical nightmare and financial burden after being drawn to face Crusaders in the Irn Bru Cup on the same weekend Northern Ireland have a home World Cup qualifier. (Times, print edition)
Former Dundee United defender Gavin Gunning says he’s being driven out of Scottish football by a whispering campaign, insisting that he is not a disruptive influence. (Daily Record, print edition)
OTHER GOSSIP
Andy Murray credits a 12-hour sleep for his blistering form in the fourth round of the US Open when he crushed Grigor Dimitrov for the loss of only five games. (Scotsman)
Kelly Schafer says the opportunity to join Eve Muirhead’s curling rink was too good to turn down, with the 35-year-old stepping in for the injured Anna Sloan. (Herald)
Breakdown specialist Richie Gray is to return to the Scotland coaching set up, having been on a short-term contract for this year’s Six Nations. (Scotsman, print edition)
