15/09/2013 Sportscene

Good evening. We have an average of 3.3 goals per game tonight, which I

think it's pretty good value. Throw into the mix some contentious

decisions and a healthy dose of managers under pressure and it all

adds up to being a pretty intriguing confection. Here to wrap their

tonsils around the talking points, Billy Dodds and Michael Stewart.

Stick with us for the next 45 minutes, plenty to get through.

Would Hearts's youngsters have a player against Celtic at Tynecastle?

Dalmarnock aiming high against the league leaders, Inverness. --

Kilmarnock. Aberdeen's Zola looking for a goal that Partick Thistle.

Saint Johnstone raised a happy snapper. And goals between Ross

County and Dundee United. You don't win anything with kids was the

famous adage from Alan Hansen. Parts may not win anything with the team

of youngsters, but if they managed to stave off relegation after

starting on -15 point it will be a minor miracle. -- Hearts. They faced

a tough Celtic side starting to find a rhythm, after a morale boosting

win at Tynecastle before there match against AC Milan. Watching this one

was Rob Maclean. Hearts have half of the back for returning after

suspension, Danny Wilson and Kevin McHattie.

This is the same Celtic team that started their last match a fortnight

back, 1-0 at Tannadice, with signing Teemu Pukki on the bench.

A peace chance for Hearts, Kevin McHattie!

The free kick touched away by Fraser Forster. It was delivered into a

really good area. -- set piece chants. Celtic moving

well early on. Boerrigter moving in, and Kris

Commons flashed his book, this could have ended up in the net behind

Jimmy MacDonald. And Willie Collum says penalty!

Tynecastle is stunned. The header coming off Hammill's arm, did he

know anything about it? Kris Commons opens the scoring, there ignores the

doing of the Hearts fans and put Celtic in front, his fourth goal of

the season. 1-0 at Tynecastle. Stokes! It is not going to count.

The offside flag goes up. That was a tight call.

Derk Boerrigter, heavily involved in the first half so far.

And Jamie Mick Donald at full length to make the save. -- McDonald. A

really good strike from Matthews, matched by the stop.

Kevin McHattie, shot blocked. Jason Holt! 1-1! Holt's first goal of the

season, and Hearts are back in the game. It took a deflection on its

way in, it may have been off Van Dyke. It is all square.

In from Anthony Stokes, a great ball. Georgios Samaras should have

scored. I do not know why Mackay let that go, and he goes unpunished.

Jamie Hamil! He is screaming for a penalty. There was one given against

him in the first half and handball by Ambrose.

Anthony Stokes is in to make it 2-1! Celtic back in front. And a top

performance from Stokes is crowned with his fourth goal of the

campaign. Boerrigter turning away from

McHattie. It is a great ball in for Georgios Samaras. A second chance to

score for Georgios Samaras, though this was a tight angle.

Plenty of room. Celtic search out the killer goal. It is Stokes! It is

brilliant! And Pukki scores his first Celtic goal. It has taken him

only a matter of minutes. All down to the brilliance of Anthony Stokes,

it was on a plate for the Finnish international to make it 3-1.

Anthony Stokes was outstanding, wasn't Warriors yes, there is

playing very well. He took his goal brilliantly, but I

have to see the piece of skill for the third goal was wonderful.

His all-around play today was very good. He's in a good place, very

fit, and he has taken his chances. What about the penalty Celtic got in

the first half? I have not seen again, I have to

watch what I am saying but certainly there was only one man in the

stadium that thought it was a penalty. Normally you get a rough

idea from the reaction of the opposing team, but I did not see

many Celtic players claiming for it, or even the dugout, for that matter.

It is annoying. Let's talk about that contentious penalty decision,

poor old Jamie Hamil always seems to come off worst from penalty

decisions, and once again it was at Tynecastle.

What was your view? Unlike last week it hit him in his hand, at Inverness

it hit him in the face. My personal opinion is I think it is

a harsh decision against him. There is no doubting it has hit his arm,

it has moved the ball away from goal, but he is only one foot away

from it, you can see, and I find it difficult to think he could have

done anything different. There is no intention there. Billy will tell you

differently, but I think in his heart. -- it is harsh. I know it is

close to him and not many people are claiming, and I know a couple of

weeks ago he got hit right in the coop and with the ball, but I think

it is a harsh one, but I think that is a goal, that is three or four

yards out and it is going in the net.

-- hit in the coupon. It is an unnatural position and for me it has

stopped goal. I understand why he has given that penalty. What about

other one? Ambrose ambles in the box. --

handles in the box. It canons of the Celtic wall, his hand is naturally

by his side. Michael will disagree with me

because I disagreed with him. I don't think it is a penalty

either. Neither guy could do anything about it, there was a split

second there, Ambrose is further from the ball but his hand did not

move from his body and neither of them were penalties and you can

understand why it Hearts penalty -- Hearts players were angry. We heard

Neil Lennon praising Anthony Stokes as a fellow striker, Billy, this is

a player who may be in the best form of his career at the moment, is that

fair? He is at the top of his game, he had

to get himself fitter. You can see this was on his shoulder, great

finish. That is the third goal, this was on his shoulder, great

finish. That is the third a wonderful bit of skill from them.

finish. That is the third a wonderful bit He deserves his chance

to start in the Champions League game in the week if he does. Picking

it up, running, not many can do that, he is magnificent. The manager

said it himself, he is on top form, full of confidence and that is

wonderful skill. He is piecing his whole game together now. He has

passed his injury problems from last year. Do you think he will start

against AC Milan? I think there is a good chance. He has done his chances

no harm. There is a good possibility he will start for them. An

interesting one to see, that is for sure. Still to come tonight...

After winning the manager of the month award, will Terry Butcher keep

his Inverness side on the winning track at Kilmarnock?

It was all eyes on Danny Lennon in Paisley yesterday. Despite the

pressure the under fire manager was still in charge at St Mirren, just

the one win since victory in the League Cup final back in March and

just the one point on the boards so far this season. Lenin in desperate

need for the positive result. After couple of signings and a slow start

to the campaign, Motherwell appeared to be hitting the stride. They won

their last premiership matches and were looking at a hat-trick in --

this week. A perfect day for football at Saint Bonaparte, 4000

turning up including a raucous Motherwell support, so much of the

focus on Daniel Lennon. -- St Mirren Park. St Mirren went with the new

3-5 - two system, but they were early calls for a penalty when

Sutton got up close in the box. Not enough in it for referee Craig

Thompson. Signs of life desperately required

from St Mirren if Danny Lennon's tenure at the helm is to continue

much longer. Stephen Thomson's header flashed wide, nothing going

quite right at the moment. Sometimes at the bottom it might feel like

every decision goes against you, and although Craig Thomson initially

pointed to the penalty spot after the foul from Keith Lansley on

honour muting, there was no way St Mirren could feel aggrieved that the

eventual outcome. -- Keith Lasley on Conor Newton.

And the eventual effort from Danny Granger summed things up for St

Mirren. In contrast, Motherwell appear more tube of themselves with

every week, and Zaine Francis-Angol is becoming increasingly important.

His cross found the head of John Sutton to make it one - zero. Sudden

with his third goal in as many games. The ball squirming through

the legs of the keeper. Shaun Hutchinson 's header

threatened the bar. Some fabulous trickery from Zaine Francis-Angol

birth. Full is the - -. At the close, Saint Mirren flung it

forward as best they could. Steven Thompson Kenny McLean fails to

connect. Danny Lennon 's future looks ever more precarious. We had a

shot wide. I think it was a deserved three points. There was a lot of

stuff that was very good to watch. The thing that we have two worker is

improving. Where does this leave Danny Lennon?

I think it has to look at pack seven - - Pat Fenlon. I can understand the

point of view. They are looking at it from the Cup Final and after

that. They are looking at it long-term. If I was a manager, and I

won, I would think it would buy a bit of time. What would you do about

your managerial situation? It is a difficult one. It is not just this

season but it has been a hangover from last season as well. It has to

be taken into account. It is not a good position for Danny Lennon at

the moment. It could be time up for him pretty soon. A slow start. It is

a great response. Absolutely. Plenty more to come tonight. You can watch

the highlight all week long if that is your thing. Inverness Caledonian

Thistle were double winners this week. Manager Terry Butcher one

manager of the month, and Captain Richie Foran was player of the

month. It has been the opposite for Kilmarnock. After five games, just

two points. They also recently lost striker Paul Heffernan. But a start

to life at Rugby Park for manager Alan Johnston. The commentaries from

John Barnes. Terry Butcher could be thinking, why

change a winning format? Josh Meekings with a long throw. Here is

Vincent. Billy McKay, Aaron Doran and Richie Foran. Only six minutes

gone, and for around - - and Richie Foran scored. Michael Johnson

looking on pensively from the direct has box.

Good defensive header there. Excellently by the Cali Thistle

defender. Kris Boyd, Michael Gardyne line.

Good shop there from the on loan Dundee United player. - - good shot.

Aaron Doran with a cross. There who use again. - - there he is again.

Aaron Doran, always lively and always willing to have a shot.

Kilmarnock looking for the leveller. It seems to come off his hand. Allan

Johnston looking for his first victory as Kilmarnock manager. That

was a lovely flick thereby guideline. - - flick their fan

Michael guideline. It is in the back of the net. I think his momentum did

that. It came off his shin. It has given Kilmarnock leveller. He has

done it again. The Northern Ireland international, getting behind the

defenders and getting his sixth goal of the season. Six goals in six

matches. Kris Boyd was looking for a shooting

opportunity. A corner has been given. Good holding play by Boyd. We

need a break. Every mistake is costing us. We cannot afford to lose

goals like that. We had to rely on a little bit of luck here and there. I

am delighted with the three points. The lads didn't enjoy it. They are

very honest about their performance. There he is, the manager of the

very honest about their performance. month. He can do no wrong. Richie

Foran, his left and then, also one this month. Terry Butcher honesty

has a lot of faith. He officer looks for him to lead the

team and inspire them. He was doing a great job. - - he obviously looks

for him to lead the team. Do you see this coming to an end for Inverness?

It is incredible. I talked to Terry Butcher after the Celtic end. I have

never seen him so relaxed. Even when they don't play well. There have had

- - they have not had a fantastic season.

Sometimes, you lose people and people are injured, and that makes a

difference. The fans can get disenfranchised as well. That

doesn't help Allan Johnston. When you give away goals like they did at

the weekend, you are not giving yourself a chance. Next, part 60

so. Aberdeen worthy opponents. Derek McInnes side were looking to get a

contract. They would have to do without the services of their top

scorer last season, now McKinnon, who missed out after picking up an

ankle mock. The striker could find a corner with

that header. Cammy Smith. Gabriel Piccolo tried to rest Hewitt. It is

true. Horrible for Partick this. Peter Pawlett. Second goal for

Aberdeen. Jamie Langfield tried to turn away.

Onto Cammy Smith. That header was just too straight. Into the middle.

He almost found the top corner. Sola continues to cause problems. Great

save from Scott Fox. Smith got the header in.

That was fired through the goalkeeper. Aberdeen have at best a

word. Aberdeen are looking at the biggest

winning margin of 2013. Andrew Considine line comes out. Peter

Pawlett trying to drive it away. They have got a lot of good players

in their team. We had to really get after them and force a lot of the

better players. It was disappointing.

Really good win for Aberdeen in the West End of Glasgow, especially if

you consider the players they were missing, as you mentioned, Niall

McGinn. And Robson. I was at the game a few weeks ago, and we were

looking at them wondering who would stand up to the plate, but in this

game they certainly did. There was the order.

It was logged in, Zola got his first then it was Pawlett.

You could see him pulling out of the challenge year, but Cierzniak was

excellent. You could see him pulling out of the

challenge year, but Cierzniak was We gave them a bit of stick in this

programme for his diving but he has come on leaps and bounds and he has

been a big find for Aberdeen this seat -- season. In the last one, the

ball was cleared, nor height and distance on it and he is bullied out

of the way. Brilliant from him again. These

players can stand up when experienced players are injured and

they couldn't say that at the start of the season. Were you surprised

when you heard this result, Partick Thistle had been going well and

Aberdeen had been struggling recently.

It is a big result with Magennis having a shaky one. It was a bit of

a surprise with Partick Thistle, but they pulled it out of the bag with

that one. Very much like Kilmarnock, when you defend like that you have

no chance. He has made his start there, it may be his last start for

a while. How much did Aberdeen need that result? They were having a lot

of draws and people were saying they were struggling, but they were not,

when you are still drawing that is good. I think Derek McInnes will be

quite pleased with his team's start this especially with losing all

those players. Still to come on Sportscene tonight...

Will it be a tangerine dream for the team from Tannadice?

Dundee United are the visitors at Ross County.

Saint Johnstone were looking forward to reacquainting themselves with

victory after their storming start to the season. Their last two

premiership matches have been slightly less rewarding --

rewarding. The Saints were at home to Hibs. Since the departure of

Leigh Griffiths Pat Fenlon's site had struggled with -- four goals,

yesterday they went with the partnership of Collins and

Heffernan. No golds for St Johnstone in the

last two matches on their travels, back at home they came close to

getting off the mark early on. 17 minutes in, Saint Johnstone went

ahead, Murray Davidson picked out Stevie May, who finished off really

well. May kept his strike low and that is goal number four for him

this season. Hibs reacted well to going a goal down and done that --

another ex-St Johnstone player was owed to try and impress with the

danger eventually cleared. Liam Craig's second effort was a

cracker, Alan Manas, back in goal for the Perth club, had to be on his

toes. Hence continued to create chances, Scott Robertson picked up

on the deflected shot, and although the effort was kept out by the Post,

Paul Heffernan was on the perfect position to follow up. Heffernan

making his first start for Hibs after his move from Kilmarnock, and

with a little help he got his first goal for the Easter Road club.

Saint Johnstone had one -- St Johnstone had one or two efforts

early on in the second half, but the visitors were also in the mid and

adverse scoring his first goal for Hibs, Heffernan came close again.

It was not so long ago that the heads manager, Pat Fenlon, was under

pressure, but there has been a turnaround. And when Liam Craig

lifted the ball over for James Collins, his shots eventually got

there. They all count, though, especially

when it is your first for your new club.

The keeper may be felt he could have done better there, but he made

amends later as he prevented Heffernan from scoring again. As

heads extend their unbeaten run to four games, Saint Johnstone have one

now for free. -- ten Hearts have not one now for three. It wasn't that

long ago Pat Fenlon was under pressure and you were critical of

him, as well, what is your take now? He has done well in the last few

games at has buttons of time, but ultimately I am of the opinion that

I don't think he is the guy to take Hibs forward. -- he has bought

himself time. Yesterday it seems to be working, he

has Paul Heffernan from Kilmarnock. Billy, you have the Straker's

instinct, he does as well, by the looks of things. -- the striker's

instinct. It is no fluke, because we can see

here he has done it from most of his career in Ireland and here he has

bodies are renting but strokes home. A natural goal-scorer. You

will know better than I do, Billy, but he has a great deal of

composure. You have to give credit to Pat

Fenlon, he has brought in a good player and he has paid off at the

weekend for them. What do you make of the defeat at home for St

Johnstone, Billy? They had a great start to the season

in Europe, then they disrupt that Microsoft Word that defeat and they

needed a reaction, and they have got one. -- they suffered that defeat

and needed a reaction. The one thing they have got there is team spirit

and that has got them into the top six last year.

They need another reaction like they had earlier in the season. Do you

see them bouncing back? Billy is right, they have a good

team spirit, a small squad, team it -- takes net, a breath of fresh air

this year. Ross County have found the top

flight pretty tough going, their first three matches ended in defeat

and the swagger from last season has been generally lacking. Dundee

United where the visitors to Dingwall today and after announced

in -- unsteady start the exploded into life with a 4-0 win against St

Johnstone. Commentary comes from Paul Mitchell.

Ross County are changed from the side that drew 0-0 at Easter Road.

Gavin Dunning starts his three match suspension, but the headline for

Dundee United is that Nadir Ciftci is upfront.

Ryan Gauld, making a good run forward but he is felled by Stewart

Kettlewell. A free kick awarded, by referee Brian Colvin.

The keeper will have to face Nadir Ciftci and does so brilliantly.

Great save. Ben Gordon will have to be careful

here, he has left it for his keeper! Gary Mackay-Steven is bundled over

and it is a penalty. An obvious goal-scoring object -- not denying

an obvious goal-scoring opportunity so no rent -- red card. Sends the

keeper of the wrong way, he converted the penalty in fact of

life -- emphatically. Into Armstrong! 2-0 to Dundee

United. They are two up in the first 20 minutes. Lovely play on the

right-hand side, Armstrong's looping header gave Brown little chance.

United are taking their chances. Grant Munro. Sends it long, good

header by Sproule. Sproule has shot, it is cleared,

Ross County what are the penalty, but the arm of the Straker may well

have defeated him, despite the fact that may well have looked like a

penalty. Deflected!

Luckassen. Cleared once more. There has been some great

goalkeeping in the game already, a terrific save from Cierzniak.

Armstrong onto Ryan Gauld who finishes! He has! Right into the

corner of the net, he was onside, great delivery from Armstrong, that

is a clever finish, he had to wrap his body around it, just got enough

face and found the corner. United attack again.

Ciftci is onside, a good saved by Mark Brown. They are claiming for

offside, not even close, Ciftci was well onside and the only thing he

has not done today is score, he has been terrific.

Mackay-Steven accelerates, and Mark Brown makes the save.

And the difficulties at the back continue for Ross County.

Ciftci is onside, he is around the goalkeeper, that is the goal he

deserved. It is his first league goal for Douglas Michael Dundee

United. A slight hint of offside about it, he was just off, but tough

call for the assistant. Ciftci rolls the ball home. Dundee United fit for

for the second time this season. -- Dundee United score four for the

second time. A great save again by Cierzniak. The

cross from Richard Britton, the substitute up well, fingertip stuff

from the keeper. Sproule, that is deflected... Ross

County on the scoresheet. Ivan Sproule the scorer. He got the

winner against United when the teams last met here, a different vibe

about the gold today, the deflection taking it past the keeper. -- about

the goal today. Quinn has made the run! It is for

-2! And with 13 minutes to go, United's lead has been cut to two.

-- it is 4-macro-2. Over the top, the deflection from

Sean Dillon. A good effort from Richard Britton.

Over the top, the deflection from Sean Dillon. A good effort from

I thought it could have been more convincing, to be honest, I am

disappointed with the way they finished the game. We got a call

from a deflection and we got ourselves a bit of confidence from

that. -- we got goal. We had a lot of opportunities to score more

goals. The manager did not talk to any

media outlet after the game, as your sign he was few days with his

side's performance. A great result for Dundee United, what is Ross

County's problem at the moment? I think the theme of this show has

been bad defending tonight, scary defending. He has had a turnover of

players, he has found it hard to get the right team on the pitch. I am

not sure if Derek knows his best starting 11. Defending, we could

have chosen any of the goals, but we chose the fourth one. It was a quick

turnover of position, but it was incredible how the three in the

centre, to the right of the defence, they were frozen. They are too far

over. The main striker was not picked up all day. The full-back may

have helped him out. It is offside, but he is allowed to run through

three. The defence are quite far over, Graham Kerry needs to tuck in

and pick him up, allowing Munro to get the ball quicker. Through the

whole show it has just been bad defending. That was not even the

worst defending out of the four goals. What told the story for --

story for me was three out of the central for defenders were taken off

for Ross County today. How impressed were you by the general attacking

Mezzeh you have to give a lot of credit to Dundee United, you can see

Jackie McNamara had a smirk on his face. A Cheshire cat, wasn't he?

They have that attacking ability, they stuck four past ten three, they

have taken time to find the momentum but they have plenty of attacking

ability. A lot of young players, Ryan Gauld, and it seems to be

coming together for Jackie McNamara, Billy. They had an inexperienced

defence, but from midfield to fund we are always raving about them.

They were sensational. Absolutely, plenty of firepower on the bench, as

well. plenty of firepower on the bench,

That is it in terms of the action for this weekend, what does that do

to the Scottish premiership table? That is it in terms of the action at

what it all means, what will the newspapers be seeing tomorrow as the

week begins? Let's have a look. This is the Daily Mail, Milan medal at

the top, the build-up to the AC Milan and Celtic game starts. They

also focus on Ryan Gauld, the youngster who provided so --

performed so well in Dundee United's victory over Ross County.

There is the Herald, Anthony Stokes eager to extend his tenure at Celtic

park. And this is the Scotsman, they go

large with Andy Murray, who played so well, but at the bottom, Captain

Montolivo on AC Milan's growing injury list. It seems the Italian

international is injured which may be good news for Celtic. Let's start

about this Champions League match on Wednesday night. Neil Lennon is

talking about trying to make it to the last 16, a realistic is that? He

has to say that, he has to be positive, but four past winners of

the competition are in the same group and that is going to be a bit

too much for Celtic. Do you see Celtic managing to make it to the

last 16? They are unchanged team from last season. They have lost

three of their top players but Neil Lennon masterminded of them now.

They can always look at it like they are there to make up the number is,

but we will do mind it. I can see them taking maybe 56.0. The group,

whether that is enough to see them through, I am not sure. Your

prediction? They will be doing well to get a draw. I think the draw is

possible. That is pretty much it for tonight. Another intriguing weekend

in the Scottish premiership is at a close. We were back at next week,

same time, same place, until then from Billy, Michael and myself, it

is good night.