Wednesday's Scottish Gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Organisers narrowly averted a League Cup final calamity after forgetting to book ball boys. A mix-up between the SPFL and hosts Celtic led to a last-minute scramble for volunteers before Sunday's showpiece.

Officials recruited mascots from Aberdeen and Inverness CT, as well as kids from the half-time shoot-out competition.

Full story: Daily Record

The SFA has urged Dundee United to stop complaining about their Scottish Cup semi-final ticket allocation against Rangers - and insisted they only asked for 8,000 briefs for their supporters.

United chairman Stephen Thompson thinks the SFA has been "economical with the truth" in their account of ticket plans. (Various)

Alan Shearer revealed he was close to joining Celtic in 2004

Alan Shearer says he was hours away from sealing a move to Celtic from Newcastle in 2004. "It just fell at the last hurdle and it wasn't to be," he said. "But it could've happened and I'm sure I'd have enjoyed it - absolutely."

Full story: The Sun (print edition)

David Moyes insists he is safe from the chop at Manchester United - even if they exit the Champions League at the hands of Olympiakos. (Various)

Dundee United defender Andrew Robertson is unfazed by the Scottish Cup semi-final ticket/venue row and insists his side only need to perform to their capabilities to beat Rangers. (Various)

Rangers boss Ally McCoist, giving his view on the Scottish Cup ticket controversy, said he had no problem with a 50-50 split but remarked: "Our fans don't just turn out for big semi-finals, they turn out every week." (Various)

Celtic defender Adam Matthews would love to lock horns with fellow Welshman Gareth Bale and Real Madrid in next season's Champions League. (Various)

Rangers striker Jon Daly is relishing the prospect of facing former club Dundee United for a place in the Scottish Cup final. "I don't see the game being at Ibrox as an advantage for us," he said. "There will be a great atmosphere at the ground and it's going to be a fantastic battle between two good sides." (Various)

Motherwell skipper Keith Lasley believes boss Stuart McCall deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Derek McInnes when attention turns to manager of the year. (Express)

OTHER GOSSIP

Inverness heavyweight Gary Cornish could face boxing legend Evander Holyfield. Promoter Frank Warren will request a licence from the Boxing Board of Control to enable Holyfield to fight in Britain this summer. (Various)