02/09/2012 Sportscene

Scottish football hasn't done its European reputation any harm this

past week. Hearts and Motherwell made tough opponents work hard to

qualify for the Europa League. Celtic won all four matches to make

it to the Champions League. We'll hear from Billy Dodds and

Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels after we've seen Celtic's fourth

game in defence of their SPL title. They were at home to Hibs. The

meeting of the top too. -- the top She is going to neck in a, that he

does! Tony what gets a double. Cameron's Hegar, up at the next it

continues at Celtic Park. Get his first goal for the cloth up -- club.

A good run, almost got it. Gary Hooper. The goalkeeper saved but it

may not be clear yet. Eventually, Hibernian got it away. McCourt,

Forest. Not too far away. Hibernian have not been seen as an attacking

threat in this first half. They met get a chance here. Went for the

spectacular but not great defending by Celtic, it must be said. It is

through over Tony what. He is one- on-one with the goalkeeper at he

fluffs his lines. I great chance for Tony what. He scored four times

over Celtic, both were bubbles scored away from home. -- doubles.

Again it hurts the woodwork and denies the Englishman. What a ball

into the middle! Hibernian hit the post. What have all learned from

What a mess Celtic have made of this. Tim Clancy, I make this his

first ever professional golf bowls up he will not score an easier one

foot up a horrible moment for the goalkeeper there. James Forrest

also up Gary Hooper makes the news that he goes it alone. The wrong

side of the post for the Northern Irish players. It looks like he had

done the hard but both up spilled by the goalkeeper and calm down.

Celtic's second goal. A horrendous result there for James McPake, the

Hibernian skipper. Hibernian have applied once already in this game.

They have replied again, it is 2-2. It is the former Partick Thistle

midfielder who hits it home. Hibernian have come back from the

debt twice at Celtic Park. Hibernian where the last team to

take points off Celtic here. That would have been some moment there

for the issue we in on his debut here. -- Australian both up it is

dropped by the goalkeeper here but it goes over the bar. That really

should have been 3-2 by Celtic. Celtic without a host of top team

players. He has got a corner. Celtic are pressing for a winner

How important for Scottish football has it that Celtic get a place in

the Champions League, in terms of prestige and the other clubs

sharing at of the handout as well? It is good news financially but as

well as that, the prestige and the profile of the Scottish game can

only be enhanced by that. Definitely a long may it continue.

The other clubs as well - Motherwell and Hearts - have raised

the profile this week and they deserve a lot of credit both up did

you see his eyes light up there? Celtic have further added to their

squat today with, I think, four new signings. They're not massive new

names but the squad is in pretty good shape anyway? I don't think

you can argue with Neil Lennon's signing policy. They have got a

couple wrong, but overall, I think every club get something wrong and

you cannot argue with their signing policy. The four players might play

well and getting the team that made even sell them on at some point.

think even the highlights told us this story of a team dominating in

the first half and should maybe have been even further ahead.

was a very good game looking at the highlights and both teams

contributed to that. What happened with that all because he has so

much space for such there have been so many, they should have been out

of sight. They have dug in. People say you begin to get something from

the game. They have dug in and they have just waited and taken their

chance when it came up. Last year or a couple of years ago, Hibernian

might have lost that but begging in and getting through to half-time

and coming out of the game with a drop! It says a lot for them that,

Celtic could have been ahead but back came Hibernian. They get

plenty in the second half. Without a doubt. They made a contribution

both up this was Tim Clancy basically not giving up. We will

never hear the end of that! If that was your goalkeeper, as much as the

defender should deal with it, the goalkeeper has to look at it. You

cannot use one hand like a basketball player. And they have

uncertainty for Celtic. This is a bit special from Paul Cairney.

has taken him on foot up it bounces back here. People may question it

but it is through the legs of the Celtic defender. We will give the

credit to Paul Cairney on that one but the goalkeeper's did not do

themselves justice over the course of the game both up your next game

is at Easter Road so you're looking at their performance at the moment

with that of interest. They seem to have rallied since the opening

weekend when many fans were saying, here we go again. Eight points from

four games tells the story. They have harmed a corner and there is

are -- and enthusiasm behind them. I can only judge from what I have

seen but that result yesterday is bound to give them confidence.

Kenny's Kilmarnock produced, arguably, the top result of last

weekend by ending Dundee United's winning start to the SPL season.

Their challenge yesterday was to try to stop Ross County's year-long

unbeaten league run. Here is Al Scottish Premier League season for

Ross County. Trying to improve on that further now it! He was not too

should have done better with that opportunity. The header back across

goal here. When it fell to Cooper, it has to hit the target from there,

surely! Taking out but allowed to continue from the good position to

find across! Inches away their from what surely would that be an

opening goal. Kilmarnock have been on the back foot to Ross County so

far, unable to punish them. Ross County coming forward once more at

Cooper getting a second shot at it. He has lost it and it is somehow a

clear the way by James Fowler and an absolute howler by the

goalkeeper. It was Marc Fitzpatrick who almost capitalised but

fortunately for Commander up, the clearance. --, Ahmad. Deflected! I

That is a good looking all, Liam Kelly with the Volette also up

claims it can bowl. That may well have come up the arm but nothing

couple of challenges that goes down. Nothing given their full sup up it

it look like he was clapped on the edge of the box. The referee saw

nothing amiss. Kenny Shiels looks just coloured inside the post.

Kilmarnock clear it but it is kept alive for Ross County. Heck -- hits

it in. It looked like he was in on goal there. Ross County looking to

make it 39 league games undefeated but the next ball behind here. I

could say it from Rory Mackenzie. He got away but could not keep --

I was telling people you would be on the show won some wanted to know

what he found the trip north that it too arduous for, that of up have

you been moaning about that? I try not to mourn at the beginning of

the season but I think they have taken the bait. It is the longest

journey in the S T L. Once you get up at 6am, it is OK! What I said

was, at the All was too controversial in front of my name.

I wonder why! The media tried to tease me into saying something bad

about Ross County but I have nothing but praise for them. They

were that that that are not trouble her goalkeeper, they have one shot.

He looked trouble that one point. He it, self-inflicted. But neither

did we. It was a poor game and sometimes when you get a poor game

there some events in it that make it more interesting, but this game

did not have anything in it and I was disappointed for the spectators

that travelled all the way up. They want to see some action and it

didn't happen and the quality of play, our distribution was not good.

Having said that, it is good to come away having watched them again

What about the penalty appeal from your team here, which might have

been upheld for handball? I would not like it given against us. He

has pulled his hand away in a way which he might be trying to

camouflage that he has handled it, but he pulls away after the

contract. But I don't think it is a penalty. Pulling it away makes it

look worse. It is not an unnatural position, and him pulling it away

makes it look worse. Were you getting excited about the challenge

on Roddy Mackenzie at the edge of the box? I don't think there was a

decision given. It was influenced by the fact that this player had

already been booked. This was the best angle. Just give the free kick,

don't send him off. Sometimes they can feel duty-bound. It is a

shooting position. It warrants a yellow, and the kid has to go. We

don't want to see that happening. Rory Mackenzie is a promising

youngster. So is Matthew Kennedy, who has moved on to Everton. We

picked him out in the first weekend of the season. You obviously know

all about him. Kilmarnock spent a lot of time and money on bringing

him through the system. How happy are you that he moves on at age 17,

and you get about �200,000? Well, you really want to do what is best

for the boys. Personally, I think for Matthew to go into years' time

when he is 19 Alnwick experienced a lot of SPL football would be ideal.

If you draw parallels and make comparisons with the other players

that have gone to the English Premier League, 95% of them had a

spell in the SPL first. Steven Fletcher, the two lies at Hamilton,

Steven Naismith. They all had time and served their apprenticeship in

the SPL. Then it is down to the majority of each individual. I

would have liked Matthew just day and get some more proper

development here, rather than throwing him to the rigours of the

English Premier League where hopefully, he can succeed. I really

want the boy to do well. The must love looking back on the League Cup

success of last season, but is it a double-edged sword? When you win a

trophy, the fans expect something of the same next season. It is

important that you have got realism. Our supporters are not daft. They

know what has happened during the summer and how we have been

affected by it. They understand. We do have to take a hit. In terms of

the players and the budget. But most of the other clubs are the

same. So I do not want to harp on about that, but we are affected

worst of all the SPL clubs. We have talked about Kilmarnock, but Ross

County deserved massive credit as well. 39 games unbeaten. Parallels

have been drawn with the Celtic record. That was done at a high

level of football, but to go unbeaten for that length of time,

this was the only goal conceded in the last season. It is incredible.

Everybody says it is incredible at any level. But not to lose a

Premier League game and keep that going is testament to them. It is

all about teamwork, effort, keeping clean sheets, not losing many goals.

They could do with scoring a few more. But bringing that level of

football to the Premier League and continuing in that run is

phenomenal. I would just like to add to that, because when you get

to the ground, there is an ambience about the place and the people are

so friendly. Roy MacGregor and boys like that one to show you what they

have. They have great pride, and that emanates onto the pitch. And

the players are the same. They have a great atmosphere and spirit.

grow to love that part of the world. Let's get action from the other two

SPL games are played yesterday, St Johnstone in against Dundee United

and Aberdeen versus then Mirren. Aberdeen's previous two home league

games have ended 0-0. Earlier, it was suggested that that would not

be the outcome against St Mirren, Donny hes coming close here. Johnny

Hayes then turned provider. Osborne took the shot on as the bombs

continued to create chances. And from another corner came another

opportunity. Just me Dennis this time with the header. At first, it

seemed a good save by Greg Samson, but at second showing, you can see

the ball crashing off the post. St Merryn did not create too many

chances in the first half. This was certainly a decent build up. A

great ball in, nicely flicked on by Steven Thomson. Johnny Hayes was in

the thick of things for much of this match. The summer signing

showed why Craig Brown wanted him at the club. A great delivery for

Cammy Smith, only for the woodwork to deny the 17-year-old. Hayes was

full of tricks. A lovely ball in, and that would have been some way

to mark your first appearance for the club this season. Aberdeen

pressed for the winner. Mark Reynolds' free kick created a

chance for Scott Vernon. But still, they couldn't score. The ball fell

for Vernon. Rapid -- that is Aberdeen's third 0-0 draw at home

this season. Both teams were hoping to bounce

back from last weekend. Dundee United with the opening, the ball

nicely teed up by John in Russell, who could have been Huddersfield

bound on deadline day edge. St Johnstone have not won in the SPL

since the end of March. Dundee United were without Gary Mackay

Stephen. In came Stuart Armstrong. Great play, but his opponent was

equal to his job. There was not much to get excited about in this

one. But watch Nigel Hasselbaink. He clearly felt differently. The

Frenchman tried his luck. Peter Hooton apologised for the lack of

entertainment on show yesterday, as another penalty claim came and went.

Davison's arm was up as he jumped for the ball, no but no handball

offence, according to the left. The aforementioned Castlebeck could

With the score lines are still at 0-0 and the chances few and far

between, perhaps the next incident was more born out of frustration. A

bit of afters. And that resulted in Dylan and Anderson being booked.

After who's done's comments on lack of entertainment, there was

something slightly amusing about this. No penalty given.

Interestingly, no yellow either for the Frenchman as the teams shared

the spoils. Peter has done described that match

as brutal, which is worse than awful. Gary Stephen is out for six

weeks, and he makes things happen for them. He is a very good player,

yes. He is still struggling with his injuries. He is exciting, one

you like to watch as long as he is not playing against you. But they

are a big club. To have one player missing is not... They have other

good players as well. Would you expect them to be best of the bunch,

with Celtic at the end of the season? Or is there a lot of

competition in that area? Behind Celtic, certainly. You have your

Aberdeens, your Hearts. Motherwell are just waiting for their bubble

to burst, and it never does. Those teams will be battling it out for

second place. You also have to mention Hibs. Whether they can

sustain it is another question, but fair play to them. The St Johnstone

starts, and some choose to use them. It is 14 competitive games since

they won. It is a bit early to be getting carried away. It is unfair.

It is easy to put statistics up there because last season, there

were tough games. They were playing against teams who were going for

Europe, and St Johnstone were a bit beyond the European thing. Those

teams were highly charged. They had quite a few injuries as well by the

end of the season. It is easy to put statistics up there. Against

him, they were unlucky. It is confidence. You get into the habit

of not winning, it is hard to get out of it. But they had a big squad.

They have loads of strikers. I think they will come good, but they

have to start showing it sooner. was a familiar theme for Aberdeen

fans. They are creating plenty, and not scoring. 30-0 scores at home. -

-03 0-0 scores at home. Vernon missed a chance. He will come good.

He needs a couple of goals. His confidence is so low that he is

missing those sorts of chances. Michael Higdon scored a hat-trick

today. Then the confidence oozes out of you. Stuart McCall was with

us here last Sunday night, and his Motherwell team can hold their

heads high after losing only one goal to Spanish side Levante in

Valencia on Thursday night. Today really difficult. Good save. It is

1-0! In the 11th minute. No one could get him away of this. The

Chris Humphrey. Unstoppable down that right-hand side. Inverness

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 47 seconds

Caledonian Thistle were back in the game. But that is 28 minutes gone

and suddenly the scoreline seems a whole lot better for Caledonian

The second attempt is well off target and that is an elite

defender. The long ball down the middle and Richie Foran had net in

behind the defender. He was taken out there and Inverness are furious

that no free kick was given there. Dangerous, could be very dangerous!

It is 3-1. A howler from the full- back, who has gifted Motherwell

after call false up SPL football A spectacular attempt there by the

defender. Trouble here for Inverness again. It is a brilliant

finish. It has been at finishing master casts from Michael Higdon. -

- masterclass. Tom Hateley's back pass is dangerous. He is trapped

and Inverness Caledonian Thistle have a penalty. It will not change

the outcome of the match but it is disappointing for Motherwell, if

they're going to concede right that the end. The penalty is St! The

story of the day for them as mother They could have been going for

excuses after running about in Valencia this week but they just

seem to get on with business. have gone two matches this season

at Motherwell and the crowds continue to give them stepped. He

got his hat-trick there, Michael Higdon, and he is certainly a big

player for Motherwell. There is more than harm and they have done

very well. This was fantastic from Chris Humphrey but the hat-trick

just at top quality finishing. Sometimes Chris Humphrey does not

give you the end product but the movement, just a couple of yards,

and Terry Butcher would not want to see that one! He still get so much

to do. He narrows the angle of good Cup lasted through his legs but to

get his foot round it and place it in the corner. You see this and

when you are on song and confident, that is exactly what happens. When

we played mother where luck couple of weeks ago, we gave them a goal.

It was a bad back-pass. All the Johnson get away goals up Murphy

had a lot of work to do and he did it really well. If you have players

like Michael Higdon, it takes a lot of weight up. The pictures showed

as he is not a happy man. Is he ever? The last four goals to Celtic

last week. Another four goals to date. They're making lots of

defensive errors and that is any idea of the game he will want to

improve on sharpish. If you're giving away goals, you want to

score them. I know Terry Butcher and he will be out on that

training-ground making sure they are working on it and getting

across the pitch, closing down gaps and keeping the gaps in midfield

picked as well. There is no doubt they will work on that but they

have to improve quickly or it will be a long season for them. Up

another funny old week fire at Hearts. They sold David Templeton

to Rangers on Friday and had a I yellow-card has shown to the

Hearts captain. There was a pool on his shirt and the referee says a

penalty goals up than they are run the bought far this SPL season! A

perfect penalty. McDonald when the he has a good right fit! Callum

Patterson seeking his first goal for Hearts. Patterson is close to

him. Klutz at inside and that is on to my gown who put it inside

MacGregor. He goes down and it's a penalty! It is going to be a yellow

cards close up it was Neil MacGregor who committed the offence,

number five. He has missed this one, it is a safe. A fine save by a wrap

up lists of up -- by Rab Douglas. Away their by Webster. Date where I

Pattison close-up onside and on to his left out. It is his weaker foot

but good to see him having a goal. Patterson with the run to get away

by Rab Douglas. Good save. Hearts coming forward again. A good shot.

Rab Douglas looking not to be and it got away will stock Hearts

are still looking at her in equaliser will start McAllister

almost in their but loses out to Webster. A chance here for Ryan

Stevenson. He goes through on the right foot and again, Rab Douglas

provides the cover. Stephenson, Opaline by a Ryan Conroy and the

goalkeeper gets at the way it, and across. The defender could have

knocked it past his own goalkeeper and he knew there was danger. Slips

at a late. A last chance here far harps. -- for Hearts. Good and

directed on target. Sense that Dundee back in the SPL, was it

worth it? You have to say, yes, it was worth it. The big reservation

is Hearts had most of the possession of the ball and I do not

think a bit much wrong. What pleases me about Hearts is the

freshness John McGlinn has brought. He is putting young players and. He

is not just putting them on the bench but hitting them in the team.

He is putting them in. At he deserves a lot of credit for that.

Sometimes there is no choice because that is all you have both

up people have to be patient. Dundee have added a bit of street

wise up front. That was what one in the early penalty goals up there

was not much in it but that is what you get sometimes. If he is trying

to gain an advantage by putting him up balance -- off balance, he is

right to go down. At their three points. They probably rode their

luck in terms of chances and possession but when you work hard,

sometimes you deserve the three points. Rolling back the years is

the phrase we tend to use when somebody like Rab Douglas pops up

with a performance like that. was an inspiration today. He was,

brilliant. Full of enthusiasm and what is he, 53? A very good say it

also up the that is the youngster, Patterson, you're talking about.

Full of energy and he never stops working. He will have enjoyed that

today, what he? It is good to see the young players playing and

deputting on a lot of pressure. Andy got the goal and sat in there

and Hearts to call the pressure. They were desperate for three

points and what a huge boost that is for them and the effect for

survival. David Templeton played on Thursday night and today he played

against Elgin as a Rangers player. What did you think of his decision?

He has effectively ruled himself out of being an international for

the next couple of years but it Rangers get back into the Premier

League, and he is playing like that... He was good today and she

had some good finishes. He got more confident as the game went on and I

think he could be a top player for Rangers but it is a few years

before we could see him playing for Scotland of up acrimonious

No-name at the bottom up that statement but it has Vladimir

Romanov all over it. You cannot say at Clear switches off because there

is another player looking. When you cross that white line you want to

play football, and you can see that in him. David Templeton lost to

take players on and he loves the game and you can see that.

supportive where you up his decision to join Rangers? In the

future, immediately, it means playing football in the Third

Division. He is 37 now and tears at the stage of his life where he has

to think about his future because he has sacrificed money for quite a

bit that his football career. January, he decided to go back to

England. He hung on quite a bit through the summer to see if

something could come up and he was staying up a loyal to Kilmarnock in

case we could get something for him but we were not able to do that.

Then Rangers came in. The options where Ukraine in Switzerland and

countries like that where he could have gone. He has got back into

Scotland with his Scottish wife and their settled here and that had a

big impact. He is financially secure so that is the main thing.

We wish him well. SPL football returns in two weeks' time. That's

after Scotland kick off their World Cup campaign and we'll have

extensive highlights of both matches - at home to Serbia at

11:05pm on Saturday and the Hampden meeting with Macedonia a week on

Tuesday at 10:35pm. SPL highlights are always available on our website.