Scottish Gossip: Celtic hope to strengthen, Kilmarnock boss sorry

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Manager Ronny Deila believes he will be allowed to invest any cash Celtic bring in if they qualify for the Champions League group stage. (Sun)

And midfielder Stefan Johansen thinks Celtic must score in Baku on Wednesday to progress against Qarabag, having established a 1-0 lead in Glasgow. (Mail on Sunday)

Striker Leigh Griffiths says he's answered all the questions asked about his ability to succeed at Celtic and is determined to continue to attract praise from manager Ronny Deila. (Various)

Qarabag defender Ansi Agolli says all the pressure is on Celtic ahead of the second leg of their Champions League qualifier this week, which the Albanian is confident his side can win. (Various)

Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson believes he has a far superior squad to last season's Championship-winning team. (Various)

But Hearts midfielder Prince Buaben says simply staying in the top flight is their main priority this season. (Various)

Brian Easton reckons St Johnstone team-mate Michael O'Halloran can earn a big move next summer if he repeats the form shown regularly for the Perth club last season. (Sunday Mail)

Former Hearts striker John Sutton has no hard feelings about his time at Tynecastle, despite not playing regularly and then losing his job when the club went into administration, but hopes to help his new side St Johnstone put a dampener on the good atmosphere in Gorgie this afternoon. (Scotland on Sunday)

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes says he may need a bigger squad if his side progress in the Europa League, to cope with the demands of also trying to challenge for domestic honours. (Various)

And the Dons boss has told his players they won't surpass last season's achievements unless they deliver a trophy. (Daily Express)

Dundee United striker Robbie Muirhead says he is grateful for the advice given to him by his former team-mate Nadir Ciftci and feels he is ready to fill the gap left by the striker, now with Celtic. (Various)

Which Brazilian is Hamilton midfielder Ali Crawford being compared to?

Aberdeen's Paul Quinn says the 8,000-mile round-trip to Kazakhstan this week won't be used as an excuse should they fail to win against United at Tannadice today. (Various)

Manager Gary Locke apologised to Kilmarnock fans after opening the season with a 4-0 home loss to Dundee, saying "we were second-best everywhere". (Sunday Mail)

Hamilton defender Lucas Tagliapietra says Accies team-mate Ali Crawford reminds him of former Brazil and Celtic star Juninho. (Sunday Mail)

St Mirren manager Ian Murray - a former Hibs and Rangers player - believes the Easter Road side remain favourites to win the Championship, despite losing 6-2 to Rangers in the Petrofac Training Cup last weekend. (Sunday Herald)

Hibs manager Alan Stubbs was pleased to see Rangers target Scott Allan "do his talking on the pitch" as he helped his team to a 3-0 League Cup win over Montrose. (Various)

Rangers manager Mark Warburton says his side will be up for the physical challenge of competing in the Championship as well as being committed to attacking, attractive football. (Various)

Full-back James Tavernier aims to show the Rangers fans his attacking abilities, citing the Brazilians Marcelo and Dani Alves as his role models. (Scotland on Sunday)

Former Rangers midfielder Alex Rae reckons the Ibrox club's rejected bid of £225,000 for Scott Allan is a "fair price". (Sunday Mail)

Peterhead's Kevin Dzierzawski, a former Ivy League college student in the USA, wants to help the League One side to a shock win over Rangers at Ibrox in today's League Cup first round tie. (Various)

Scotland and Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall is on the verge of a £5m move to West Bromwich Albion. (Sunday Mail)

Striker Oliver McBurnie credits his good form with Scotland Under-19s for earning him his move from Bradford to Swansea. (Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP

A bit of on-course physio for Marc Warren helped the Scot reach the semi-final of the Paul Lawrie Match Play at Murcar. (Various)

Glasgow Warriors centre Richie Vernon is hopeful of being part of Scotland's World Cup squad, despite the impending return to fitness of Alex Dunbar, Mark Bennett and Matt Scott. (Various)