03/04/2016 Sportscene

Tonight on Sportscene, do we still have a title race?

Do Dundee United still have a chance of survival?

And do we have a winner in the Championship?

The answers to these questions may - or may not - be answered

Michael Stewart and Steven Thompson will give it their best shot.

The champions began the weekend four points clear of Aberdeen.

Celtic would extend that to seven IF they could muster a victory

over third placed Hearts in the Saturday lunchtime game.

Hearts have not won at Celtic Park since 2009. But was a League Cup

tie. His Jamie Walker! What a finish from Jamie Walker. Celtic Park

stunned. Jamie Walker fires Hearts into a very early lead. Celtic are

being asked a big question again against the side in third place.

Much to ponder for Ronny Deila again.

That was a fine effort. Roberts takes the corner.

It is Mackay Stephen and it is 1-1. That is a lovely goal from Gary

Mackay Stephen. The second ball dropped favourably from the Celtic

number 16, who led visit home. -- leathers it. Flak from Celtic again.

It is Brown who has fouled Juanma. He is asking questions of the centre

half as he goes into the book now. He thought he had scored. He is

unlucky. It just kissed the top of He thought he had scored. He is

Craig Gordon's crossbar. Patrick Roberts! That is brilliant!

A fabulous first Celtic goal for Patrick Roberts. This is a very,

very good finish. That was a bad clash which Bobby

Madden has ruled is a free kick in Celtic's favour. It looked like a

50-50. Here is Griffiths. For the second time, he forces a save from

50-50. Here is Griffiths. For the Alexander. Here he is again. He is

going to win another free kick. That was Walker's challenge. It swerved

just before it got to Alexander who did just enough. They have got

another opportunity here, Celtic. It is Griffiths again. He continues his

one-on-one duel with Neil Alexander. It is the goalkeeper who comes out

on top again. Hearts were well beaten last buyout 3-0. They chased

down Aberdeen in second. Here is Roberts who fancies a second and

gets it! They said he was a little bit special when he signed up from

Manchester City, and he is demonstrating just how special a

talent he could be. Not too many frowns in the Celtic bench just now.

Gordon holds on. Craig Gordon was in the Hearts side last time they won

here in the league in 2007. Hearts looking for a route back in.

The two Hearts substitutes combining here. Celtic looking to extend their

lead at the top of the table. He will pick up a second yellow card.

He is. It has not been Hearts day. He's getting better and better.

Every game a win now. This was a crucial and important win for us.

Dominated the game. We had some pressure. We played some very good

football. Good opportunities but gave up eight poor third goal.

A good start for Hearts and a great win for Celtic. Michael, you were

there. Patrick Roberts is clearly a top player. Yesterday, he caused

hearts a lot of problems. He is always on the move picking up great

areas. Right through the game, it was not as if he was involved lots,

but every time he was involved, he caused Hearts problems. This was

three minutes later. This killed the game off. Rossi sits off. At who

does not want to commit himself as he had been booked. He had not a lot

of touches that everything he did do was out of the top drawer, no doubt

about that. Should Scott Brown have seen a red card? I think he is quite

fortunate. By the letter of law, is it a 250 challenge, is he of the

ground? Yes, he is. For me, it quite easily could have been a red card.

There is no doubt he jumped in with two feet. Earlier in the game,

Juanma moves out to the side of the ball. Just as well. I think a yellow

Juanma moves out to the side of the card could have got away with it,

but he is fortunate because they tackle like that could easily have

been a red card and he got away with nothing.

You were there yesterday. This is rousing for Ronny Deila's side and

You were there yesterday. This is at the right time? It was a game

with real intent. Hearts came and we wanted to get something out of the

game but it meant Celtic had to raise the game and they did that. It

was a great time in the season to put in a performance like that.

Still think they will win the title? I think they will, yes. The same

question to you? Yes, I think they will win the title. They had some

question to you? Yes, I think they form at the right time. OK.

Celtic throwing down the gauntlet to Aberdeen,

who played Hamilton Academical this lunchtime at Pittodrie.

Could they narrow the gap to four points once again?

Just the one change for Aberdeen as they look to stay within four points

of the leaders, Celtic. Just the five changes for Hamilton.

Shea Logan's pass and good movement up ahead from Kenny Maclean. Looking

to create something early on. That was a decent ball in. It ends up

clipping the outside of the post. Maclean, who won his Scotland cap

prior to the international break. He has his pocket picked by Jonny

Hayes. In four Simon Church. It is church on Sunday! And it is 1-0

Aberdeen inside five minutes. Aid to refix apply from Jonny Hayes. Church

was unmarked in the middle -- a terrific reply from Jonny Hayes.

Logan for Maclean. He really is menacing early on. Michael McGovern

made the block. Kenny Maclean threatened to increase Aberdeen's

advantage. McGovern's clearance, Taylor's header, Maclean coming back

from an offside position. Hesitation by Vicki Gordon. Now Niall McGinn

from an offside position. Hesitation cashes in. -- Ziggy Gordon. Gordon

has been such a solid presence at the back for Hamilton. He hesitated

and Niall McGinn made it 2-0. A cross, church with the header and

McGovern with the save. Two players hoping to be heading to the European

Championships in the summer. Ryan Jack. Aberdeen well on top here.

Hayes puts the ball down the line. Shinnie comes back, Kenny Maclean's

finish. What a goal! Even in this early stage with 33 minutes gone,

you would have to say it is game over. Shinnie's cutback, Maclean's

finish, 3-0. Scott Brown finger tipping that over

the top. He has had precious little to do but he needed to save that. He

is out wide for McGinn. Niall McGinn cuts inside. A good effort and a

good save. One Northern Ireland international denied by another.

Logan's header. Saved again by McGovern. It was a free header,

close in for the full-back. Maclean's shot blocked. This could

get worse for Hamilton. McGinn again. And it is becoming a

one-to-one duel here, McGinn against McGovern.

Kenny Maclean finding a pocket of space and slides that through for

Hayes. In for McGinn. And it is the side netting. On another day, Niall

McGinn might have had a hat-trick here. Jonny Hayes again. Claiming

handball. I think the referee and cited here. -- unsighted. Another

set piece chance for the home team. Reynolds' header. It goes over the

top by McGovern. What a busy day the Hamilton goalkeeper has had. I

thought we knocked the stuffing out in the first half. Obviously, comes

and we hope to replicate the second half I thought the performance in

the second half was equally good but we did not get the goals. When the

ball came in, it was not defendable. Overall, like I say, I think you

cannot argue with the result. Aberdeen narrowed the gap on Celtic

once more. Dismal four Hamilton Academical. Hamilton -- Aberdeen

were clinical from the start. Hamilton could not deal with it.

This man, he has played well since he came in and he also played and

scored for Wales. Clinical from Aberdeen. They were superb. I am

really pleased for Kenny here. After getting his first catch in the week.

This is a superb goal. Technically, that was a very good finish. We saw

Kenny Maclean who played for Scotland in the international break,

there was a maturity about his play today. He has been playing well all

season. Coming back from international duty, he shows no sign

of tiredness and it looks like he has grown in stature. The ball was

in front of him, he takes it really nicely, puts it in the back of the

net. It was a performance of real intent from Aberdeen right from the

off. It could easily have been a difficult one for them. They showed

they are not giving up the fight. They could have won by a lot more.

What you think of their chances? Is it going to be very difficult. I

think they need favours from other teams. I think they could still

finish second, which would still be a really big achievement. What about

finish second, which would still be Hamilton's relegation fears? Their

performance today wasn't very good and their form is not particular

great either. Dundee United really have the bit between their teeth at

the moment, so there is real danger for Hamilton. Do you think they

could go down? It is back-to-back defeats and they are only four

points clear of Kilmarnock. It will be a very tense next six games for

them, they need to find a bit of form from somewhere. It will be

fascinating to watch. It had been almost four years

since Dundee United last won away They desperately needed that run

to end as they began the weekend seven points adrift at the bottom

of the Premiership table. Watching for us at MacDiarmid Park

was Paul Mitchell. COMMENTATOR: Two changes for St

Johnstone. Anderson is injured and misses out and Liam Craig is also

unavailable. United came from 20 down to get a point in the Derby. --

from 2-0 down. A first start for Boyle. Free kick,

lifted in, Donaldson off the post and away! A good free kick in. Will

the ball eventually go for a corner? Alan Mannus was diving across here.

It rattle the frame. St Johnstone with a good home record against

Dundee United. They have won for the last seven against them and are

unbeaten. Trying TrackBack! Alan Mannus standing up and Eastland

takes it away. That was simple Route one football. He tried to drag it

down and got it under control. Clever at the back from St Johnstone

-- not clever at the back from St Johnstone and now they are robbed in

possession. Alan Mannus with the save... It is in! Across the line.

Dundee United have scored. 22 minutes gone and a slip from the

goalkeeper is so costly. Billy Mckay does really well. He clips the ball

back inside and Dow meets it on the volley and Alan Mannus gets into a

real problem. Here is Davidson, two goals against

Hearts last time out. They are building well, with a Davidson. The

referee right there and Davidson cast a glance at him, but not a

realistic penalty claim. Just two players going at the bowl strong.

Credit Callum Morris. Swanson plays it in, Shaughnessy is free, it comes

off McLean and it is a way. Donna Lee tries to knock it clear. He

looks up as the half-time whistle goes. That would have been harsh on

Dundee United, they have been the better team in this first half. But

Shaughnessy got clear and it rattled off McClain. Morris, 11th start of

the season for him, on a yellow card. This could be a red card!

Donaldson has typed back Chris Cain, and it is red. An easy call for the

referee. Donaldson was simply caught out. The ball over the top denying

an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Little ball into the middle, that

will break wide to Wetherspoon. Davidson coming in! Off the

crossbar. The goalkeeper was beaten. That's going to be a free kick

against Chris Cain. What is being played it across. A shot here that

could itself has been -- could itself have been a penalty. Dow's

corner. It broke to Payton. Fisher is on too. Stunning!

-- Gunning! That would have finished it. Gunning has scored twice against

St Johnstone in his career. Unable to find a simple pass. Horrible

finish. They are fighting for their lives and we have to make sure that

we start the game better. You give a team... We have done it before this

season as well and it makes it really difficult. It's positive,

coming here is never easy. But it is still a long way to go. Kilmarnock

are five points ahead of us. We don't get carried away. I was there

are five points ahead of us. We yesterday and Mixu Paatelainen

surprised us all by going for a four-man defence. They were the

better teams certainly in the first half and they created a lot of

opportunities. They did defend well, they were resilient and had a real

team spirit and togetherness and work ethic about them. They really

got men behind the ball, really pressurising the ball. They've got

the bit between their teeth at the moment, I think. Going back six or

seven weeks ago I would have said no way were Dundee United going to do

this and I'm glad they're proving me wrong, because now I think there is

an opportunity they can do it. They actually believe they can do it and

that is the key thing, they believe they can get out of this. You

actually believe they could escape the bottom two places? Well,

possibly. When you look at the form that Kilmarnock and Hamilton are in.

You look at Dundee United now and they believe they can do it. Mixu

Paatelainen laughing there, playing the mind games, saying Kilmarnock

are comfortable. I'm not saying they will but there is definitely a

possibility and the belief is a big thing. They have got a huge week

coming up, Partick Thistle away and then Inverness at Tannadice next

weekend. Do you think they can then Inverness at Tannadice next

actually be off the bottom of the table this time next weekend?

actually be off the bottom of the could be but I'm not saying they

will be! A couple of months ago there was such a big golf and I

thought to myself if they can get to the split and be five or six points

behind, they have a chance. It's now within their hands to be five or six

points behind, but that is nothing. It's not to say they're going to be

points behind, but that is nothing. out of trouble, but they've given

themselves a great opportunity. St Johnstone still jostling around for

that top six place, Stephen. They've been a mixed bag, St Johnstone. They

were not at their best yesterday. been a mixed bag, St Johnstone. They

Disappointed at the goal they lost, very cheap. But I'd then they will

Disappointed at the goal they lost, still finish top six. When we've not

been playing very well, that would be a great achievement.

It was all about the scramble for top six next, as Dundee took

County without a League win since the first of March.

Dundee with only one league win since February 12th.

COMMENTATOR: Four changes for Dundee. Mitchell comes in in goal

replacing the suspended player. The big news for Ross County is that

Liam Boyce does start, Mark routes and Jonathan Spratt -- Mark Woods

and Jonathan Franks come in in midfield.

Ross County with the early shot. Jonathan Franks with a second

attempt, lofting it back. O'Dea a to safety. The chance for Dundee to

break through. Stuart inside, support either side. Checked pass,

Ricky Foster! A goal for Dundee with support either side. Checked pass,

seven minutes on the clock and Greg Stewart has put Dundee at head. Past

Ricky Foster and Marcus Fraser was coming across, couldn't get the

block in and Stuart has done the ahead.

Halt links well with Stuart and wins the second ball and Kane Hemmings is

there to drill the loose ball into the net! Poor defending by Ross

County. Holt wanted to win that more. Hemmings arrived and steered

it past the goalkeeper for his 23rd goal of the season. High ball into

the Dundee box, cleared as far as McShane. Back to Woods, and that is

a fingertip save by Mitchell. Martin Woods with the effort. Mitchell did

well. Jim McIntyre in Courage by that Ross County flourish. Martin

Woods with the corner, Davis with the header and Ross County are back

in its! Within a quarter of an hour we have three goals here at Dens

Park, and the captain up from the back, an marked, bullet header past

Mitchell, and Ross County are back in this. Nick Ross with the room on

the right. Options ahead of him. Hemmings! That is a third goal for

Dundee. It might have got a touch, Rory Loy is getting the

congratulations. I think it did just take a touch off Rory Loy. The

movement of Dundee's front three has been something to behold today, and

here comes Loy again. Almost a fourth for Dundee. This time

straight at Woods. Hemmings coming close to getting a second goal. The

cross again, this time failing to find the front men. A chance for

Alex Sharp. It turns inside Darren O'Dea, gets his shot away, and it's

a second goal for Ross County. Mitchell got fingertips to that.

Fingertips from Mitchell but he couldn't prevent the ball from

looping into the net. Early chance for Dundee in the second half from

the corner... Hemmings with the header, off the line from McShane.

Boyce goes to ground under pressure from Conrad, and that relieves the

pressure on the Ross County defence. Stuart again looking for Hemmings...

He gets his head on it and it drifts the wrong side of the posts. Kane

Hemmings unlucky again. Curling ball from Stuart and inches wide of the

target. Nick Ross again finding Greg Stewart

an -- in his favoured position, cutting inside past McShane, once,

twice, gets his shot away, Marcus Fraser! That is a fourth for Dundee.

Craig Whitehead, just on as a substitute, and he has surely sealed

the points here after some great work by Stewart. Marcus Fraser could

only get in the way and it was an open goal, his first of the season.

Did tackle. -- a good tackle. Fed wide to

Stewart, more danger for Ross County. Past McShane once, twice and

a third time, Stewart! What a finish! That is simply amazing from

Greg Stewart! He led McShane and Davis a merry dance on the edge of

the box once, twice and any third time, and what a sumptuous finish

that is. The icing on the cake. A 5-star performance from Dundee. I

was really pleased today. I felt it was a really important game in terms

of the top six. Have given ourselves a great platform. It could have been

seven each, there were that many guilt edged chances. We have had a

view, they have very few. The differences they have that there's a

way. I think on balance they deserved it. Seven goals but

Michael, why did it go so right for Dundee? Ultimately what happened was

that Dundee were able to impose their formation on to Ross County,

who were playing three at the back. They had two central midfielders and

Greg Stewart just in front of them, behind the strikers. Ross County

were playing four at the back and four in midfield and there was a

huge gap between McShane and Woods, they were the two central

midfielders. That allowed a huge gap to open up in the park and Greg

Stewart capitalised on that, he caused them all sorts of problems.

This led to Dundee's second goal will stop he drives forward, he gets

a strike off, but it wasn't just about Stewart, it was a great team

performance. If you just watch Kane Hemmings coming back into the box

after being involved in the linkup, on the move, a striker that has

scored 23 goals, if you give him that opportunity in the box he's

going to take it. Great one touch play, fluid movement. Causing Ross

County all sorts of problems, especially in the middle of the

park. We have got Woods here, McShane there, and they are

outnumbered, they are getting dragged all over the place. When I

was growing up as a kid, the one thing you would get taught as a

central midfielder, if you're getting outnumbered you need to drag

your white men in. The ball was out here to begin with, they have to get

the wide men in to help him out and the country in the middle, and that

is the wide left Mander. He thinks he's doing the right thing, tracking

the wing-back there but ultimately there is a huge space that has now

developed because he has dropped so deep.

He has got to get up the park and help his midfielders and become

three in the middle. The reason the gap is there is

because the space between the midfield and the defence is too

wide. This is Dundee. They drag them all over the place. A great

interchange and a fantastic finish as well. We will give them it! How

did Ross County respond? Ultimately, Jim McIntyre, rather than try to let

the players sought out themselves, he changed the formation. He went

like-for-like. He got a third man in the middle with Park to help out.

Those guys, Woods and McShane. He got the extra man in the middle of

the park. Before, we have highlighted these shaded areas where

Greg Stewart was picking the ball up and causing Ross County all sorts of

problems. They now heard this man on top of them. Now they win the ball,

they break up the other end and they get a goal out of this. There was a

great second touch. The goalkeeper disappointed. That is 3-2 right

before half-time and it gave them a chance. Throughout this game you

were impressed by Greg Stewart and some of his skills are joy to

behold. He was a real top performer yesterday. Clever play as well. He

realised the middle of the park was unoccupied so he drifted in and

found the space. Tremendous skill. The Ross County defenders think in

the box. He had a phenomenal match yesterday. A great win for Dundee.

Just two more games to go in this Premiership weekend.

Kilmarnock in desperate need of points

But first, could it be passports at the ready for Motherwell?

They were away to Inverness Caley Thistle.

A beautiful day in Inverness, especially for the visitors. Louis

not with a header from Stevie Hamill's free kick. Motherwell in

search of their fifth win in a row. Hard work, skill and concentration

count for so much in football, as do tactics and attention to detail. So

often, a memorable moment comes in the form of a complete fluke. From

head in hands, to head over heels, a glorious mis-hit gave Motherwell the

lead. With just one win in eight games,

the Inverness form has taken a tumble of late. So too did Rostron

power. Filed in the box by Keith lovely. This in the Stonewall

category. It was a case of the eye of the Vipers. Ian Vipers with a

knockout from the penalty spot. Cali Thistle almost took the lead through

an unorthodox effort -- Caley Thistle. The defender almost not

chewing his second goal of the season. True Marco then almost

turned provided deep into injury time that Stephen McManus cleared

the danger and Motherwell sent off on one final attack.

A dramatic late winner sent the Motherwell fans into rapture and had

then dreaming about European football possibly next season. We

have played well enough. I felt we football possibly next season. We

had enough chances to score more goals. And when you are not putting

a ball over the line, you leave yourself vulnerable at the back. We

went through a February where every game we were saying we have been

mugged, we have been stitched up, we have been let down, and everything

was going against us. In some ways we deserve this. I think we do

deserve it. That had been 11 goals in the

previous two meetings this season, with Partick taking this all out.

Miles Anderson was denied by the post. O'Hara's error leading to the

chance. Kilmarnock with just one goal in

five, Kris Boyd put through but the shot far from troublesome. Sean

Welsh showed off his 1-2 skills followed by an ambitious lob shot

for the first half to remain goalless. Kilmarnock with 1-point

from their last five games thought they had gone ahead early in the

second-half. Rory McIlroy is the was quick to react but Kris Boyd was in

an offside position when he turned the ball in. Partick Thistle

themselves had a goal ruled out from side couple of minutes later. Ryan

Edwards cleverly playing the ball through from Mattias Pogba who's

good finish did not count. Partick thistle almost went ahead. Ryan

Edwards started the move. Matt is Pogba, clever play and Edwards only

denied by Gary Dicker 's challenge. One either way would prove to be

crucial. Callum Booth was put through but his shot was well

deflected by Conrad by the Tony for a corner. Killie's precarious

position in 11th place could have been helped by a much-needed win.

Some superb play by Josh Magennis set up Kris Boyd only for the

striker descend the ball well over the top and the game destined to end

goalless. I am disappointed with the quality the play. It was a bit of an

ugly game so to speak. I thought the second half we could have done a

little bit more. The final ball was missed. We had opportunities, didn't

have a lot of luck, Miles Addison hitting the post. A couple of half

chances and a couple of chances for us. Frustrating not to win but we

have to move on now and look forward to seeing Johnston.

Kilmarnock, where do we start? Kris Boyd not scoring. They have not won

a match under Lee Clark. The stats are not good. They have only scored

one goal in the last six games. That is relegation form. There is clearly

a lack of confidence throughout the team. Yesterday, they got a clean

sheet but scoring goals has been a real problem for them. They have no

momentum whatsoever. What a transformation for Motherwell. Can

you see them playing European football next season? It could

happen. A short time ago they were in real danger of relegation. Now

setting forth on a fantastic run. You heard Mark McGhee say in

February within went against them. Now they are picking up points and

on a fantastic run of form. Time for a look at the

Ladbrokes Premiership table. Celtic four points clear

of Aberdeen, but with a game in hand Motherwell fourth, an incredible

turnaround in fortunes The jostle for top

six very much alive. Dundee United now

with real momentum. Kilmarnock - and Hamilton -

very much in the doldrums. Rangers had the chance to seal

the title this weekend, if they could beat Raith

Rovers at Starks Park - and Hibs dropped points away

at St Mirren.