Scottish Gossip: Rangers face Ashley court threat, Griffiths takes Celtic blame

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Rangers shareholder Mike Ashley will take the club to court should votes be passed today at their annual meeting to convert board members' loans into shares and issue new shares, thus diluting the Sports Direct and Newcastle United owner's holding at Ibrox.(The National)

Rangers manager Mark Warburton is hoping he will not face a hostile reception when he addresses the club's annual meeting on Friday. (Daily Telegraph)

Ronald de Boer insists money was not his motivation for snubbing Manchester United to join Rangers from Barcelona in 2000 as he rejected claims that the Ibrox club cheated with the use of Employee Benefit Trust payments.(Daily Record)

Marcel Maijer, a reporter with Dutch television station RTL7, has claimed that European governing body Uefa banned Ajax head coach Frank de Boer from being interviewed pitchside ahead of Thursday's Europa League match against Celtic as it "deemed it too high a risk" because he is a former Rangers player. (The Scotsman)

Scotland striker Leigh Griffiths shouldered the blame for Celtic's exit from the Europa League, pointing out that he missed two golden opportunities in the closing 15 minutes before Ajax substitute Vaclav Cerny scored to give the Dutch a 2-1 victory in Glasgow.(The Herald)

Croatia and Rijeka defender Marko Leskovic (left) has been linked with Celti

Celtic captain Scott Brown hopes to avoid the need for surgery on the knee injury that could keep the Scotland midfielder sidelined for three months. (Daily Record)

Celtic have been left stunned after Rijeka placed a £4m price tag on 24-year-old defender Marko Leskovic, with the Scottish champions preparing a £1.5m offer for the Croatia international who is also interesting Braga and Lazio.(The Herald)

Hamilton Academical right-back Ziggy Gordon, who is in the final year of his contract, insists he will not let transfer speculation affect his performances after Nottingham Forest became the latest club to be linked with the 22-year-old. (The Herald, print edition)

Dundee manager Paul Hartley has rejected reports that the Dens Park club are considering a bid from a Dutch consortium to take over their youth set-up after coach Gerry Creaney left after just over a year with the Scottish Premiership outfit. (The Herald, print edition)

As Gerry Creaney parted company with Dundee, an unnamed Dutch coach has been linked with the post of head of youth at Dens Park, with Stevie Campbell, who recently made a controversial departure from Dundee United, also being linked with a return to the club for which he played. (The Courier)

Dundee United manager Mixu Paatelainen insists there has been no "serious contact" with Alexei Eremenko, stressing that he had simply been in contact with the 32-year-old former Finland and Kilmarnock midfielder because he exchanges texts with all his former players.(The Courier)

Former Rangers and Scotland midfielder Lee McCulloch has admitted that his 20-year playing career is close to ending as the 37-year-old is savouring his coaching role at Kilmarnock under manager Gary Locke. (Daily Record)

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald, preparing for Saturday's visit to Kilmarnock's Rugby Park, thinks artificial pitches have no place in the Scottish Premiership. (Daily Express, print edition)

St Mirren manager Ian Murray says he regrets his choice of words in responding to fans who have criticised his side. (The Herald)

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee says he has no regrets about turning down a move to Hearts while in his first spell in charge at Fir Park. (The Herald, print edition)

Spanish midfielder Miguel Pallardo, the 29-year-old who is out of contract in the summer, is hoping to sign a new contract with Hearts. (Daily Record, print edition)

Scotland Under-21 striker Oli McBurnie has joined Newport County from Swansea City on loan

Leeds United manager Steve Evans says a deal has been provisionally agreed to extend Sunderland and Scotland midfielder Liam Bridcutt's loan move for the remainder of the season. (Newcastle Chronicle)

Scotland Under-21 striker Tony Watt could clinch a £1m move to Cardiff City if the 21-year-old impresses on loan from English Championship rivals Charlton Athletic. (The Herald, print edition)

Interim Charlton Athletic manager Karel Fraeye says it was an easy decision to allow Tony Watt to join Cardiff City on loan as his side have been winning while the Scottish striker was recovering from injury. (South London Press)

Scotland Under-21 striker Oli McBurnie has joined Newport County from Swansea City until January. (Wales Online)

Scottish winger Jamie Murphy says deciding against a return to former club Motherwell on loan after a difficult few months with Sheffield United paid off as he is now starring for Brighton at the top of the English Championship and eyeing the top flight next season.(The Scotsman)

Richie Towell, the 24-year-old Irish midfielder allowed to leave Celtic and who had a loan spell with Hibernian, is a target for Brighton after scoring 25 goals for Dundalk and being named Irish player of the year then turning down offers from clubs in Poland, Turkey and the United States. (The Irish Times)

OTHER GOSSIP

Andy Murray is happy to take the strain of playing all three days as Great Britain chase their first Davis Cup triumph since 1936 but warned Belgium that they would be making a mistake if they regard their opponents as a one-man team.(The Herald)

Edinburgh scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne admits he was tortured by the botched drop-goal attempt that cost his team victory in their last Pro12 outing but is confident of getting back to winning ways against the Dragons on Friday. (The Scotsman)

Stephen Gallacher suggests a three-minute time limit for ball searches could speed up golf following debate over slow play. (The Scotsman, print edition)