Scottish Gossip: Rangers, Kilmarnock, Dundee United, Celtic, Aberdeen
Last updated on .From the section Football
FOOTBALL GOSSIP
Rangers and Kilmarnock are locked in a war of words after the Ibrox side's top scorer Martyn Waghorn was injured on the plastic pitch at Rugby Park, potentially ending his season. (Daily Star)
Killie criticised the "ill-informed comment" included in the Ibrox club's statement regarding Waghorn's injury, in which they described the Rugby Park surface as "unforgiving". (The Times)
Waghorn could be out for up to two months with the knee injury suffered at Kilmarnock, though will not require surgery. (The National)
Former Dundee United striker Kevin Gallacher has blamed the players for the Tanndice club's desperate position - they are 13 points adrift at the foot of the Premiership - and insisted chairman Stephen Thompson was justified in publicly criticising them. (The Herald)
Ex-United keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak has warned his former club they could be in the Championship for years if they go down this season. (Scottish Sun)
Celtic assistant John Collins reckons criticism of manager Ronny Deila is only making the Norwegian stronger. (The Herald)
Collins says Deila has remained "chilled" despite the intense scrutiny and criticism he has received. (The Scotsman)
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes is "surprised" the SFA did not take retrospective action against Inverness midfielder Ross Draper. McInnes felt Draper had "conned" referee Willie Collum into awarding a penalty in Caley's 3-1 win against his side. (Daily Star)
Dons striker Adam Rooney admits it would be hypocritical of him to join in the widespread condemnation of Collum as he has benefited from poor refereeing decisions himself this season. (The Scotsman)
Ex-Hearts defender Gary Naysmith believes Robbie Neilson is a victim of his own success after the Hearts head coach came in for criticism following the Scottish Cup exit against Hibernian. (The Herald)
Motherwell manager Mark McGhee insists it is vital his team avoid the relegation playoffs this season as the Championship sides they could meet - including Rangers and Hibernian - are scary. (Daily Star)
Tommy Wright says some of his St Johnstone youngsters were left stunned when former Real Madrid player Julien Faubert walked into their changing room. The Frenchman is on trial at McDiarmid Park. (The Herald)
Wright says Faubert's quality has shone through during his trial with Saints, and is now mulling over a short-term deal for the former West Ham man. (Daily Star)
Peter Houston will not close the door on Blair Alston if he makes a dramatic U-turn on his Falkirk future, but the Bairns boss fears the St Johnstone target has already made up his mind to go in the summer. (Scottish Sun)
OTHER GOSSIP
It seems a final decision is imminent on the long-running saga of Glasgow Warriors and their pitch at Scotstoun. Head coach Gregor Townsend is reasonably certain that it is going to go his way, with the club and Glasgow Life - who own the ground - putting in the artificial surface he has been campaigning for. (The Herald)
Townsend believes Warriors may have to win all 10 of their remaining Pro12 fixtures if they are to make it into the top four and guarantee a spot in the end of season playoffs. (The Times)
Edinburgh head coach Alan Solomons believes Grant Gilchrist will need "two or three games" to get up to speed but admits the decision on when he returns to the Scotland fold will be made by national coach Vern Cotter. (The Scotsman)
