Makhanya criticises Rangers display as O'Neill manages Jota return
Rangers scorer Olwethu Makhanya questions his side's character after a 2-2 draw at Hearts, while Celtic's Martin O'Neill tempers expectations over Jota's playing time and Aberdeen face fresh injury concerns.
Rangers goalscorer Olwethu Makhanya has questioned his team's character following Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle, saying the side "came out leggy" in the second half and showed "a lack of character", according to the Sun. The comments from the late equaliser scorer focus on Rangers' second-half performance rather than the result alone.
At Celtic, manager Martin O'Neill has indicated it will be some time before winger Jota, 27, is handed starting roles, the Scotsman reports. Jota has only recently returned from a long-term injury, and O'Neill's remarks suggest a gradual reintroduction rather than an immediate place in the starting line-up.
O'Neill also believes the point Celtic collected in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Dundee United could prove valuable, according to the Sun, framing the result as potentially significant despite the dropped points.
Aberdeen's injury worries may have deepened ahead of Saturday's League Cup semi-final against Rangers. Right-back Chris Cadden, 30, limped off during Wednesday's 1-0 defeat by Falkirk, the Sun reports, adding to the club's concerns before the cup tie.
There was disciplinary news at international level too. Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli was warned by Uefa after causing a delayed kick-off in the recent 0-0 draw in Slovenia, the Scotsman reports, while Scotland Under-21 head coach Tony Docherty and assistant Steven Naismith received one-match touchline bans following a scuffle in the win away to Bulgaria.
Image: The Courier / BBC Sport
