Scottish Gossip: Celtic, Barcelona, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs, St Mirren – BBC Sport

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FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Celtic goalkeeper Dorus De Vries has suggested that his Champions League debut turned into a “nightmare” in Tuesday’s 7-0 hammering by Barcelona as the Glasgow team were up against “the best side of the last 10 years”. (Daily Star, print edition)

Manager Brendan Rodgers has refused to be critical of his players after Celtic were handed a football lesson in a 7-0 defeat by Barcelona in their opening Champions League group stage game in Spain. (The Herald)

Brendan Rodgers says Moussa Dembele’s missed penalty when their Celtic side were only 1-0 behind was “critical” as they went on to suffer their worst-ever defeat in European football – 7-0 away to Barcelona. (The Scotsman)

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has blamed his side’s exertions in Saturday’s Old Firm derby win over Rangers for their 7-0 Champions League drubbing by Barcelona at Camp Nou. (Daily Express)

Celtic's Brendan Rodgers chats with Barcelona's Luis Suarez<!–

Brendan Rodgers (left) refused to blame his players for their heavy defeat in Barcelona

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has vowed to launch an investigation into claims of offensive effigies and banners and sectarian singing during Saturday’s Old Firm derby with Rangers during which toilets were also destroyed in the away end. (Daily Record)

Rangers have made their worst start to a league season for 27 years, with Mark Warburton’s side having taken only eight points from their first five Scottish Premiership games, leaving them with a goal difference of -2. (Daily Record)

Scottish FA compliance officer Tony McGlennan is mulling over whether to charge Rangers’ Davie Weir for the touchline outburst that led to the assistant manager being sent to the stands during Saturday’s 5-1 Old Firm hammering by Celtic. (The National)

Hearts director of football Craig Levein will appear at Hampden on Thursday to appeal against the yellow card shown to striker Tony Watt for diving in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Hamilton Academical. (Deadline News)

Cameroon midfielder Arnaud Djoum, the 27-year-old who joined Hearts after leaving Lech Poznan last year, has declared his intention to move to English football. (Daily Record)

Hibernian manager Neil Lennon, who was with Crewe Alexandra in England’s fourth tier when he was the same age as Jason Cummings, says the 21-year-old striker has plenty of time to match his achievement of playing in the top flight down south. (Daily Record)

Oliver Burke, the 19-year-old Scotland winger who was transferred to Leipzig from Nottingham Forest for £13m, has the potential to be the most exciting and iconic Scottish player since Kenny Dalglish, according to Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee. (The Scotsman)

Hearts' Tony Watt is shown a yellow card against Hamilton<!–

Hearts will appeal against Tony Watt’s weekend yellow card on Thursday

Dundee are considering handing a contract to trialist Jens Janse, the 30-year-old Dutch right-back who left Italian Serie B club Ternana this summer. (Daily Express, print edition)

Gary Warren has backed Josh Meekings and Greg Tansey to continue performing well for Inverness Caledonian Thistle despite his team-mates telling manager Richie Foran they have no intention of signing new contracts. (The Sun, print edition)

Former Dundee United left-back Barry Douglas is hoping to shake off a leg injury to play for Turkish side Konyaspor in their Europa League debut on Thursday against Shakhtar Donetsk. (Daily Record, print edition)

Dunfermline Athletic forward Paul McMullan has revealed that his side had been practising penalties 24 hours before he, Nicky Clark and Gavin Reilly all had spot-kicks saved by Dundee United goalkeeper Cammy Bell on Saturday. (Daily Mail, print edition)

St Mirren chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick has urged everyone inside the Paisley club – and their fans – to unite behind manager Alex Rae to help lift their side off the bottom of the Scottish Championship.(The Herald)

RUGBY UNION GOSSIP

Scotland lock Richie Gray’s hopes of playing for the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand could be blocked by his French club, Toulouse, with director of rugby Fabien Pelous saying they would not release the second row if they are involved in their domestic league play-offs.(Daily Mail)

The prospect of a world club championship being introduced in rugby union appears to be a step closer to a lucrative reality as negotiations over moving the Pro12 and Aviva Premiership as part of a new-look global calendar begin to gather momentum.(The Times)

Edinburgh centre Phil Burleigh believes that only heavy rain has thwarted his side’s attempt to play more entertaining rugby this season.(The Scotsman)