Wednesday's Scottish gossip

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

John Collins, the Celtic assistant manager, urges referee Steven McLean to explain why his team were not awarded a penalty when Inverness Caley Thistle's Josh Meekings blocked what looked like a goalbound header from Leigh Griffiths with his arm in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday. (Various)

Former Inverness player Barry Wilson says rather than the Scottish Football Association issuing Meekings with a notice of complaint and a potential one-match ban for denying the opposing team "an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball", it should be Celtic who are punished for bringing the game into disrepute by questioning the integrity of the referee. (Daily Express)

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton calls assistant referee Alan Muir an "idiot" for failing to spot the handball. (Various)

Sutton claims McLean and Muir should not be allowed to referee another big game. (Daily Record)

Hibernian's Scott Allan has been nominated for the Scottish Championship player of the year award

Referee Steven McLean will be the fourth official in Friday's Scottish Premiership match between Hamilton and Motherwell and will not take charge of a game this weekend. (Various)

Former Rangers manager Walter Smith says the lack of headlines coming out of Ibrox is a good sign that things are moving in the right direction at the club. (Daily Express)

And Smith thinks Rangers can flourish under Dave King even if the ex-pat Glaswegian is not permitted by the SFA to become chairman under their "fit and proper person" rules. (The Scotsman)

Hamilton manager Martin Canning reveals he was given encouraging words by Dick Advocaat about Accies' display in their bounce game against the Dutchman's Sunderland team at the Stadium of Light on Friday. (Daily Mail)

Former Scotland goalkeeper Andy Goram thinks Queen of the South are favourites to win the promotion play-off, at the expense of Hibernian, Rangers and possibly Motherwell, all four being former clubs of "The Goalie". (Daily Mail)

Kilmarnock's Mark Connolly hopes to have recovered from a broken collar bone in time to pair up with Manuel Pascali in the Ayrshire side's defence before the end of the season. (Daily Record)

Glasgow Warriors' Ali Price was in action for the Barbarians at Goldenacre

Hibernian playmaker Scott Allan reckons achieving promotion to the Premiership through the play-offs is the only thing that can make up for losing to Falkirk in the Scottish Cup semi-final. (The Sun)

St Mirren caretaker boss Gary Teale hopes midfielder John McGinn will stay in Paisley for another season, despite his contract expiring at the end of the season. (The Sun)

Dundee manager Paul Hartley says his team will attack Celtic in Wednesday's Premiership match as they seek to catch city rivals United in the table. (Various)

Germany manager Joachim Low expects his team's match against Scotland at Hampden in September to be key to who qualifies for Euro 2016. (The Herald)

OTHER GOSSIP

Despite the Barbarians running in 15 tries in a 97-31 win over Heriot's on Tuesday evening in a game to mark both outfits' 125th anniversaries, Heriot's winger Colin Goudie says playing against the Baa Baas in Edinburgh on a sunny evening in front of his family and friends is something he will always remember. (Daily Mail)