9am Sport Briefing: Hearts players still waiting to be paid

HEARTS players have still waiting to be paid their outstanding wages, it was reported this morning.

Captain Christophe Berra said the players accept the club's explanation that a "technical hitch" is to blame for the payroll holdup, and has been told to expect payment later in the week.

Blackburn eye Hibs star Fletch
PREMIERSHIP outfit Blackburn has reportedly set their sights on Hibs striker Steven Fletcher.

New Blackburn manager Paul Ince is looking to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window, and sent one of his Scotland-based scouts to Hibs' tie with Hamilton at the weekend.

However, flu hit Fletcher only lasted 38 minutes before being replaced by Derek Riordan.

Rocco could face Celtic in cup
LIVINGSTON loan star Rocco Quinn could help dump his employers out of the Co-Op Cup after a team selection wrangle with Celtic was apparently resolved.

The Parkhead club loaned Quinn to Livingston on a six month deal, but remained adamant that he should not play against them in the cup.

However, Livi boss Roberto Landi said that Quinn had been given the go ahead by Celtic yesterday morning.

Strachan 'threw out TV crew for biassed reporting'
CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan reportedly ejected a Setanta TV crew out of a club training session as punishment for allegedly biased matchday coverage of their SPL clash with Kilmarnock.

Strachan was incensed after the Irish television station apparently glossed over an incident in which Shunsuke Nakamura was slapped on the back of the head by Killie defender Fraser Wright.

SRU launches complaint as English clubs won't release stars
SCOTTISH Rugby has made a formal complaint to to the International Rugby Board after Scots players were denied permission to attend a training session by their England-based clubs.

A spokesman said: "We are obviously concerned that our tried and tested relationship with these English clubs has been upset by the sudden intervention of Premier Rugby and as a result of today's non-appearance we have made formal representation to the IRB."