Scottish Gossip: Joleon Lescott, Rangers, Celtic, Champions League, Aberdeen

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Rangers are closing in on the signing of former England defender Joleon Lescott after Aston Villa agreed to pay up the final year of his £35,000 a week contract. (Daily Mail)

Mark Warburton made a dash across the Border on Tuesday to convince Lescott to snub Sunderland in favour of a move to Ibrox. (Daily Record)

Goalkeeper Wes Foderingham believes Rangers are a class apart from every other team in the Premiership. (Scottish Sun)

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers altered his training plans ahead of tonight's Champions League qualifier against Hapoel Beer Sheva to allow those players with children starting school to enjoy that "special moment". (Daily Express)

The former Liverpool boss has urged Uefa not to slam the door in the face of Celtic as European's football's governing body prepare to unveil major changes to their flagship tournament. (The Scotsman)

Joleon Lescott won 26 caps for England

Rodgers has urged his players to prove they belong in the Champions League group stages ahead of a proposed major revamp of Europe's premier club competition. (Daily Record)

Hapoel Beer Sheva manager Barak Bakhar will ask crocked captain Elyaniv Barda, who is sidelined with a groin injury, to inspire his team-mates with a pre-match team talk at Celtic Park. (Scottish Sun)

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has praised the form of Ryan Jack this season and believes the midfielder is "playing a real captain's role" at Pittodrie. (Scottish Sun)

Dundee United kid Harry Souttar is closing in on a move to English Premier League outfit Stoke City. (Daily Express)

Kilmarnock midfielder Martin Smith insists manager Lee Clark is Killie's answer to new England boss Sam Allardyce. Smith worked under Allardyce for a year at Sunderland. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP

Catriona Matthew hopes to emulate Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose when the women's golf gets underway in Rio today

Lynsey Sharp says the best she can hope for in the Olympics 800m is silver, with controversial South African runner Caster Semenya expected to take the gold. (Daily Record)

Eilish McColgan says "there is no pressure" on her ahead of Saturday's 5000m final, explaining just reaching the final was her main goal. (Daily Mail)

Scottish golfer Catriona Matthew sees no reason why she cannot add to Team GB's impressive medal haul at the Olympics Games. The women's golf event gets underway in Rio today. (Daily Express)

Russell Knox has sparked a row by picking lowly-ranked pal Duncan Stewart - currently 392 in the world rankings - to partner him at the prestigious World Cup of Golf in Melbourne. (Daily Record)

Tongan back-row Viliami Fihaki believes his move to Edinburgh can resurrect his career after a difficult spell in England with Sale Sharks. (Daily Mail)