NEIL LENNON has responded to comments from former Rangers srtiker Kris Boyd where he claimed there were no good footballers in Scotland, Steven Gerrard believes that today's trip to Pittodrie is the perfect warm-up for Sunday's League Cup final and Ross County forward Ross Stewart has caught the eye of two English Championship clubs.

Lennon: Boyd's statement was idiotic

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has refuted the claims made by Kris Boyd that there are no great footballers in Scotland, branding the opinion as "idiotic". He said: "I get that pundits like Kris have to be controversial and make these sort of statements, but it doesn’t wash with me. We should be talking the game up, not talking it down."

Edouard may be fit for League Cup final

Celtic's star striker Odsonne Edouard, who has missed his side's last two matches through injury, may be fit to return to the starting line-up for Sunday's final against Rangers - but Lennon admitted that he cannot say for certain whether or not the Frenchman will feature. "We still don’t know if he [Edouard] will be okay," he said. "We have to be careful with that one. The season doesn’t stop on Sunday win or lose and we’ve got to be mindful of that."

Aberdeen provide perfect warm-up for Celtic, says Gerrard

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard believes that tonight's trip to Pittodrie - where the visitors are almost certain to recieve a hostile reception - will provide the perfect rehearsal for Sunday's cup final. “It’ll certainly help the players in terms of the week,” Gerrard said. “It’s good to have a focus and a tough challenge in front of us in Aberdeen."

McKenna admits Aberdeen targeted Morelos

Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna has revealed that Derek McInnes sent his players out to wind up Alfredo Morelos in previous fixtures between the two clubs to provoke a reaction from the Colombian - but thinks that Morelos will be well-prepared for such an approach this time. McKenna told the Scottish Sun: "Of course we wound him up. It worked a few times and it did benefit us. He seems to have tightened up on that aspect of his game and it is up to us to try and stop him scoring, that is our job."

Stoke and Blackburn target Stewart

English Championship pair Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers are keeping tabs on Ross County striker Ross Stewart, according to the Daily Record. The 23-year-old has nine goals in all competitions this season and signed for the Highland outfit for £25,000 from St Mirren last year.

Rangers' Jones suffers further setback

Rangers winger Jordan Jones, who has been out with injury since the start of the September, has suffered a setback in his recovery. Manager Steven Gerrard said: "Jordan Jones has had a small setback with a tight quad and may miss a game or two."

'I'm playing the best football of my career'

Croatian full-back Borna Barisic says that he is delighted to have turned his form around at Ibrox and believes he is playing the best that he ever has. The 26-year-old said: "Is this the best football I’ve played in my career? Yes, probably. I play now for three months in a row every game and it’s not had as many games as this. I’ve not had injuries and I’m happy. I’m really enjoying it."