Scottish gossip: Dens Park pitch, Hearts tickets, Jack Butland, Jimmy Thelin, John Hartson

Sky Sports are ready to hit the SPFL with a bill of up to £100,000 for the Dundee pitch saga – and the governing body will look to recoup some of that from the Dark Blues as part of Thursday’s disciplinary hearing. (Scottish Sun)

Heart of Midlothian would have to fork out about £150,000 for guaranteeing they would sell 21,000 tickets for Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final with Rangers unless the current tally of 17,500 rises significantly. (Scottish Sun)

Goalkeeper Jack Butland has backed James Tavernier and Connor Goldson to silence their critics after the Rangers defenders came under fire following the 3-2 defeat to Ross County. (The Herald)

Hearts should be “smelling blood” in the Scottish Cup semi-final after Rangers‘ shock loss in the Highlands, says former Tynecastle midfielder Ryan Stevenson. (Daily Record)

Aberdeen chief executive Alan Burrows believes the Dons have found the real deal in new boss Jimmy Thelin, who has “improved his teams almost season on season”. (Press & Journal)

Ex-Celtic striker John Hartson was minutes away from signing for Rangers on the same day as Netherlands legend Ronald de Boer – but an ankle scan meant the deal was called off at the last minute. (Scottish Sun)

Striker Curtis Main says the pressure is off Dundee going into the final six matches of the season – but they will push hard to try to secure a European place. (The Courier)

Former Rangers and Hibernian striker Jason Cummings scored a late goal to clinch the Indian title for Mohun Bagan – his fourth league championship in four different countries. (Scottish Sun)