Scottish Gossip: Aberdeen, Rangers, Ross County, Hibs

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes finally acknowledges - in public - that his side are in the mix to become Scottish champions, admitting it would be "foolish" to say they were not in a fight with Celtic. (Various)

Rangers boss Mark Warburton is surprised that none of his players have been selected for Scotland's upcoming friendlies against Denmark and Czech Republic. (Various)

Ross County manager Jim McIntyre reckons the weight of expectation is on opponents Hibernian for Sunday's League Cup final. (Daily Record)

McIntyre says is would "mean everything" to win at Hampden and had the trophy over to chairman Roy MacGregor. (Sun)

Hibernian's Alan Stubbs will be taking advice from David Moyes and Kenny Dalglish ahead of his first major final as a manager. (Various)

And Stubbs reveals that a visit from tennis superstar Andy Murray made a real impression on his players earlier this season, outlining the dedication required to make it to the top. (Various)

Uncapped Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes has been called into a 40-man Republic of Ireland squad for friendlies ahead of Euro 2016. (Various)

Anthony Stokes is also in the Irish squad, with manager Martin O'Neill describing the on-loan Hibs striker as "one of the three laziest players I've ever seen" before adding "I love him to death". (Daily Record)

Celtic manager Ronny Deila says the forthcoming Scottish Cup semi-final with Rangers is "huge" and he is "not thinking about losing". (Herald)

Former Celtic striker John Hartson reckons Rangers will need "a miracle" to get past Celtic and reach the Scottish Cup final. (Sun)

Glasgow City manager Scott Booth reckons the men should follow the SWPL move to summer football, saying "the game is dying in Scotland". (Herald)

OTHER GOSSIP

Catriona Matthew picked up a Lifetime Achievement prize at the Scottish Golf Awards dinner last night but the 46-year-old is still has ambitions to feature in one more Solheim Cup as a player and has Olympic glory in her sights. (Daily Record)

Captain Preston Mommsen says national pride will drive Scotland on as they seek a first global tournament win in their dead rubber against Hong Kong at the World T20. (Daily Record)

Former captain Andy Nicol is urging Scotland to let their flair players loose against France at Murrayfield as they seek back-to-back wins in the Six Nations. (Daily Mail)