RANGERS manager Steven Gerrard believes that his side cannot afford to drop further behind Celtic in the title race but says that the Aberdeen game tonight is a "good opportunity" to right the wrongs of previous encounters against Derek McInnes' side. Gerrard said: "We know where we have gone wrong in this fixture and we know what we have to put right. This is a good opportunity to do that."

And Gerrard has said that Kilmarnock counterpart Steve Clarke has shown a lack of class by attempting to get Jermain Defoe banned. "I’m surprised by Steve’s comments and disappointed by them as well," revealed Gerrard. "That’s not Steve Clarke or the Steve Clarke I know. He is always a man who carries himself with class. I’m disappointed by his comments."

Former Celtic striker Craig Beattie thinks that the Ibrox boardroom will be celebrating if and when Brendan Rodgers finally leaves the champions. "The rest of them [teams in the Premiership] , I don’t think they will be overly fussed," Beattie said. "But over in Govan they will be celebrating. Because as long as Brendan Rodgers is there I think it [Celtic] is a winning machine."

And Celtic captain Scott Brown has laughed off suggestions that his legs have gone. Brown said: "That puts a smile on my face. It just makes me go out and work harder to prove to everybody that I can still do it. I don’t think I have to prove a point to anybody."

Ex-Falkirk defender Dean Holden has emerged as a front-runner to replace Neil Lennon as Hibernian manager. The former Oldham manager played at Falkirk between 2007 and 2009 when Hibs' head of football operations George Craig was working as managing director at the club and is said to be an admirer of the 39-year-old coach.

Scotland captain Andrew Robertson has insisted that Liverpool's poor run of form of late is simply a "blip" and denied that his team-mates aren't coping with the pressure of the Premier League title race. "Nerves aren't showing in the changing room, it's just been two poor results and poor performances," said Robertson. "That happens over the course of the season and we might even look back on West Ham as a good point. We don't know that."

Steven Gerrard is confident Rangers can avoid costly mistakes in the transfer market in future after the Ibrox club finally severed ties with expensive misfit Carlos Pena. Gerrard said that Pena's transfer to the club had nothing to do with him but admitted: "We have made one or two mistakes as well and I think honesty is the best way to deal with it. Sometimes players don’t settle. But I think you can see what myself, Mark [director of football Allen] and the recruitment team are trying to build. So far we’re really happy with the business we’ve done."

Hearts winger Jake Mulraney has said that working on his anger management has made him a better player, and that more footballers should focus on their mindset. Mulraney said: "I think the mental side of the game is massive and unfortunately I have only started to realise that now. I’m glad I am working on that as early as I am because I don’t think people really know how important that is."

The Herald's Neil Cameron has responded to claims by ex-Celtic defender Tom Boyd that Scotland needs neutral referees, saying that the issue is with the standard of officiating, not bias.

And in rugby, Scotland winger Lee Jones has aid that he hopes to return from injury in time to play a part in the current Six Nations campaign. "I’d like to think I’ll be back fit," he said. "It’s a long campaign, so I’d like to think my knee won’t be as long as that, but it’s not really got a set timescale, so it’s how it reacts when I start to do bits and pieces. So far, so good."

New Hibernian striker Marc McNulty has told the Scottish Sun that he feared his move to the Leith club wouldn't go through after Neil Lennon left the club shortly before the transfer window deadline.

In an interview with the Daily Record, Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie has insisted that his team-mates will not try to get Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos sent off.

And Shinnie has urged referees to stand up to recent criticism that they've faced, according to the Press and Journal.