20/01/2013 Sportscene

The SPL is back after the break. And bouncing back with an

impressive weekend total of 25 goals. Highlights of some

entertaining games to show you. In the company of Motherwell skipper

Keith Lasley and former Scotland manager Craig Levein. Are you

getting used to that former Scotland manager? The fact that

Gordon Strachan is the new manager? It has been 10 weeks now since I

left. It is quite surreal. You're in a job, you leave. Somebody takes

your plays almost immediately in football. There has been this

period where there is no need to put somebody in immediately. In the

SPL. Then it hits home when Gordon Strachan gets the job just last

week. But I have no regrets. I enjoyed my time as manager. It was

great working with the players and the supporters were excellent. I

just wish we could have got better results. You have spoken to him,

what did he say? He is a great guy. I have got a lot of time for him.

We had a chat. And wished him the very best of luck. I will be

watching the games. He will work closely with staff and players

there. Fingers crossed he will do very well. Are you still hurting

about what happened? It is never nice to lose your job. I did feel

there was a lot of progress. Some results did not go my way. But that

is football. I loved the job, I wanted to continue doing the job

but unfortunately it was not to be the case. Let's get to our SPL

highlights and Keith's Motherwell were early season league leaders

but slipped back briefly into the bottom six. Recent results have

restored their European hopes and today they were at home to St

Johnstone. Here's how it went with there. A lovely conversion for the

No. 9 who takes just eight minutes to get on the score sheet. Humphrey

with plenty of pace. It was guided into the corner and a lovely finish

in. More than a touch of good fortune. It came back off Callum

Davidson. And Motherwell are up to Higdon who scores. His second hat-

trick of the season. And another at me to finish. -- neat. 3-0 down.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 74 seconds

Sent Johnson trying to find a way a good save. Great power and

It was not the comfortable close to the game that you might have been

expecting. Not quite. As a player on there, we felt quite comfortable.

But all fair play to them, they have got some good players and has

a bank got them a bit of a spark. - - Hasselbaink. It was a top-class

striking performance from Michael Higdon. Great technique. He really

has got great technique in both feet. And a lovely finish. In this,

I do not think he really knows where the ball is! Everything was

dropping to Craik and he certainly finished it well. You have to give

him a lot of credit. He has reacted quickly to the last two goals. The

first is the fantastic finish. He is a handful. It was a very good

performance. St Johnstone, are they entitled to feel a bit sore about

being down at half-time, for instance, when they had quite a lot

of the game? They did have a few chances. They had the bulk of the

possession. But when we got ahead we felt pretty comfortable. There

was no doubt that they took the emphasis in the game. And they

could have got something out of it. I think there will be pushing for

the top six. They have got good strength and depth. And that

substitution, they have got a squad capable of challenging. I do not

know if this one was actually going in. That is my job on the post

there and luckily enough I was there to get it away. But a greater

three points for us, keeps us up their joint second with Inverness.

We just hope we can keep that going. Eleven days and counting for Celtic

fans as they pray the transfer window closes with Gary Hooper

still in hoops. He was in his usual place yesterday as Celtic resumed

their title defence at home to Fallon who passed away peacefully

yesterday morning. More than 250 is. Matthew Swift the run. And he

squared it for the manner of the moment, Gary Hooper. Other clubs

want him and you can see why. Celtic in front in 90 seconds. The

visiting team do not want to seek an early goal and that is what they

have to deal with. Celtic completely outplaying them at the

moment. Celtic are at two are up inside 11 minutes. A great run from

Collins. McDonald could only parry it into the path of Samaras. Celtic

making his debut of on loan from Liverpool. Hooper is offside. This

is a terrific ball in. In behind the defender. So awkward for the

Back to Joe Ledley. What has saved for McDonald, he flung himself to

his right. Joe Ledley must have Walker. McDonald holds on. Gary

Hooper was sniffing about for scraps which did not materialise in

to have nervous. The nerves will have gone again! That is Gary

Hooper's 20th goal of the season. Another couple of pound signs going

on his value. He has dominating the Celtic. What a fine Finnish. The

Tunisian family curling this one By another two goals for Gary

By another two goals for Gary Hooper's Celtic connection. An

amazing strike rate. Even with my dodgy arithmetic, 71 in two-and-a-

half years. Even the European column is interesting. It is not

just goals in yes P L, it is just goals in yes P L, it is

Champions League, as well. They get more chances. The league goals, it

you would expect them to be up. The Champions League goals it is

impressive. He has matured enormously in the last couple of

years, which is credit to Neil Lennon and his team-mates. He has

Lennon and his team-mates. He has become an all-rounder. I believe

they knocked back a bid from Norwich. They will want to keep

hold of him. Is he a player you like? Very much so. He has improved

year on year. His all-round game. He is strong. He can be a target

man almost, he is so strong that there. He brings balls into play.

Norwich have been mentioned, but for me, he could go higher than

that. And is price, it is difficult to tell. What somebody is prepared

to pay, and sometimes it depends on how desperate the other club is. If

they need goals to get out of trouble, the money will be more

than �5 million, I do not doubt. Dan a Wilson would not be expecting

to play for Hearts. He is on loan from the rubble. You gave him his

first cap for Scotland. He has been unfortunate. This is I dilemma -- a

dilemma for a young player. It is difficult. He made the decision to

go to Liverpool, he has not played, his career has stalled. He is

smashing, and I hope that he plays 40, 50 games and establishes

himself as a centre back. It happened quickly for him. He has

not got much game time behind him, which is what he needs. Inverness

would have to be strong contenders for team of the season so far.

for team of the season so far. Manager Terry Butcher gave a knock-

Manager Terry Butcher gave a knock- back to Barnsley so he could finish

what he started. This weekend, a home game against Aberdeen. Jane

Lewis has the best of the action. Inverness Callie Thistle have lost

once in the last 20 games and they were almost off to a great start.

Jamie Langfield stretch well to keep that out. Minutes later,

Johnny Hayes look to get one over on his old side but his effort flew

over the bar. After rejecting the advances of Barnsley, Terry Butcher

was back in the dug-out and his touch side instructions had effect.

Nice play between Billy McKay and his team-mate, though the end

product was not impressive. Inverness continued to threaten.

That was a terrific delivery, but this time Andrew Shinnie failed to

score. Aberdeen managed to push forward on occasions. That threat

look to have been dealt with but a mistake by Gary Warren allowed

Johnny Hayes in but Reguero saved. Inverness might have feared the

break might have spoiled their momentum but they made the

breakthrough. The past Andrew Shinnie, who received help on his

way to a dull. His future when Inverness is uncertain, as he has

yet to sign a contract. As Anderson slipped up, Andrew Shinnie slipped

in. Several minutes later, Inverness with 2-0 up and

displaying great skill. Billy McKay racing through. He looks to have

enjoyed that. Just watch the ball from Draper. Well worth another

look. Billy McKay's pace finished off the move. Inverness and Billy

McKay were not done. Raven's ball in, headed by Andrew Shinnie and a

wonderful finish by Northern Irishman McKie. -- B Mackay. Goal

number 20 of the season for the 24- year-old. Aberdeen had a final

attack as they looked for a consolation goal. But Smith's

effort summed up that afternoon. Inverness are now unbeaten in their

Inverness are now unbeaten in their last ten games and still in second

spot in the SPL. Can you understand why Terry

Butcher said no to Barnsley? I do not know the circumstances. Terry

has been in England before. He has managed a number of clubs. He looks

happy where he is. Maybe he could have got more money going to

Barnsley, but sometimes, when you are comfortable and people value

what you are doing, it is more important than money. It looks that

way. I do not know his thoughts. is a former manager of yours, can

you understand where he is coming from? He probably wants to finish

the season of Inverness's dreams. The last couple of seasons they

have been battling and finally he has built a team from scratch again

and got them together and got them second in the league and a semi-

final to look forward to in the Scottish Cup. It could be his best

season in management potentially. That is something he probably did

not want to give up. Billy McKay, they call him Nessie Messi. You had

him as a youngster at Leicester. Did you see this in him? He was 16

years of age. He is not the biggest player. In England, physicality is

important. He got lost and never got into the set-up at of Leicester.

He went to Northampton. He is now playing regularly, which is a huge

thing. Now, he is improving because thing. Now, he is improving because

he is getting first-team football. What he didn't have was the

strength and it was great to see him doing well. Topping the charts

there. We did not know about his past at Leicester. All we have seen

is since he has arrived in the SPL. is since he has arrived in the SPL.

is since he has arrived in the SPL. What a transformation since last

What a transformation since last season. He has been in and out of

the team for a period, but this season, whatever they did over the

closed season, I am not too sure, but he is on fire. When you get

into a run of goals, it is amazing how it can keep going. There is no

reason why he cannot go on and get more. Dundee came out of the break

knowing they had 17 games to try to ensure their survival in the SPL.

That rescue mission began against Hibs at Easter Road. Commentary

points, Dundee, if they are to survive. This would be a good place

to start as John Baird played through. That was a lovely, tidy

finish. It was a terrific move by Dundee. John Baird finished

beautifully. Dundee off to a flier at Easter Road. The first goal for

John Baird in Dundee colours to the delight of his manager no doubt. A

chance for Hibernian to respond immediately. That was a real chance.

Clancy could not stretch the neck muscles sufficiently to get that on

from troubling Dundee's lead. Another really good opportunity for

Dundee. Good goalkeeping. Hibernian are still chasing the equaliser.

That was a meaty challenge between Gary Deegan and Gary Irvine and the

Dundee man has come off worse. 50- 50, but Gary Deegan goes over the

search of a goal that would draw them level. Gallagher has been

penalised for the foul on Leigh will most likely be Leigh Griffiths

-- a chance. And Leigh Griffiths strikes it beautifully! Past

Douglas. Into the bottom left-hand corner. For the 15th time this

season, Leigh Griffiths finds the back of the net. Hibernian are

ascendancy. He should have done best of. Another good grass. But he

could not take advantage -- could well within his rights to try his

luck from that distance. But Douglas saw it wide. The side have

been much improved this season from the Hibernian we saw last season.

Dundee almost do better. For the second time, Ben Williams keeps the

Williams did well to block. Against Williams did well to block. Against

his former side. Williams keeps his I think they will be disappointed

they did not take more than one They will be. Going from the

highlights come of they had chances to win the game. The position they

are in, the points are valuable in do if they could have got three at

Hibernian, who are doing well in the league, it would have been a

massive lift. Go to goalkeeping from Ben Williams. -- good

goalkeeping. It sums things up for them that on another weekend a

point at Easter Road would be good but because of results around them

they are in a worse position. not underestimate the value of

confidence. Going to Easter Road and getting a point. What we have

seen from here, they looked as if they had the better chances and

that is good, to be able to come back from the game and say if we

can go down there and play well, maybe we should have won the game,

maybe we can take it forward. Griffiths name was on the

goalscoring charts and there was something inevitable about scoring

against his old club. Hibernian fans must be delighted he has

extended his loan stay from Wolverhampton. He is the main man.

He must be involved in 90% of the goals. He is a massive player for

them. To secure his services could make the difference between

finishing top six and if not, more, he is that valuable. They need to

kick on again. They had a great start but they have dropped quite a

few points of late. Finding consistency, that is what every

team is looking for. You can keep your best players fit and available

week in and out, it gives you a good chance. I'm sure they will be

desperate to get back in the winning groove. Was Gary Deegan

fortunate not to see a card? Maybe, and looking at it again. He has

played the ball, but his momentum carried him on. The referee was in

a good position. He thinks there is nothing there. But when you have

the benefit of the replay, it does not look great. What do you think?

Is it was a little bit naughty. He is over the top of the ball and not

followed through with intent. As you see with this, it catches a

Dundee player on the shin. In the current climate, I have seen red

cards for that. In his about consistency, if one player is

banned or gets a red card, it should happen to everyone. Nowadays,

that is probably a red card. He was lucky, I think, to get away with

that. Even a right hook was not in -- a red card in your day. Craig's

former number two, Peter Houston, let it be known he wouldn't be

extending his time as manager of chance. Kilmarnock have the lead.

They get the opening goal for the 6th consecutive game. Great back-

header. Daly could not connect with back across goal by it Ryan O'Leary.

And it fell for Dundee United. Johnnie Russell dispatched it

perfectly. John Russell! Dundee United's top goal scorer scores

trick. Add a good save. -- John keeper. The flag has stayed down

and this for the hat-trick. Three points for Dundee United was docked

a second hat-trick of the season for John Russell. This is confident.

Straight into the corner. Not a good day for Kilmarnock. The

goalkeeper drops it! And he is goalkeeper drops it! And he is

pushed over. Peter she has done followed on from

you as manager. Can you understand why he has had enough? It is

difficult set of circumstances. The club has to get its finances under

control. He has managed to keep the club at a very high level. They

have been in Europe a couple of times. Maybe he's just at a stage

where he thinks I have done all this and there is still more pain

to come, I might just bow out. You do not know what is going on behind

the scenes. I have got great affection for the Dundee United

supporters. I hope that they give him the respect that he deserves

for the rest of the season and support him and the players. He has

made his intentions clear. He has been honest. And I hope that they

get behind him. Michael Higdon was not the only hat-trick hero this

weekend. John Russell, that was the perfect trouble. It was. A good

finish. Another great ball here finish. Another great ball here

from Keith Watson. And first of all this one is a great touch. He just

passes it into the that. That is another sign of a good striker.

good can he be? I think he is an excellent player. He has improved

enormously. Rather than being consistent, I think he plays in

streaks. That last run that he made there, getting in the blind spot

from the centre-back. Earlier in the season he showed some real

class with brilliant goals. He is playing every week and that is

critical for young players. What did you make of the GM as Jebel, as

someone was telling me it is being called? -- GMS juggle. To execute

that is fantastic. Even the Carmunnock fans would have given up

a little round of applause for that one. To have players with that

ability in Belleek. -- in the league. They're all skilful players

and it is great to see. Ross County captain Richie Brittain,

who sat in this very studio a couple of months ago, announced

during the break that he'll be playing for St Johnstone next

season. But he still had the armband on in Paisley yesterday as

he led the Dingwall team out McCausland. And that will be a

free-kick and a promising position for Ross County. What a strike!

From the county captain, to give his side the lead. Craig Samson did

not have a chance. Ivan Sproule had that with a bit of venom. It just

the defence of slip to fire home the equaliser. And St Mirren are

back in business. Thomson got the time he needed and there is no

There's Ivan Sproule, one of several shots he has had so far. He

has yet to seriously test Sampson. But that was not too far off. The

substitute has put County back into the lead. An immediate impact for

the replacement. Ivan Sproule does get a goal. That is as a poor one.

-- a super one. Look of the concentration on his face, and it

Sproule has a second goal! Turning into a real hammering. Much too

easy for Brittain to get past. County on easy street. Imrie

looking for Lewis Guy. The referee has given a penalty. You can see

the boot well raised. Saved by the leg of Mark Brown. That sums up the

leg of Mark Brown. That sums up the date for St Mirren. A fresh start

for Ivan Sproule. And he gave County an extra dimension they did

not have. He since the system that I think he scored a couple of mice

goals in this game. Just to go somewhere and know that you will be

playing most weeks is sometimes enough for a player to shine. And

for Ross County I think they will be hoping he can do that. Can you

sense and bursting back into life? He has always been as a manic

player. What a dream debut on a start for a new team. Having pace

in the team is critical. Even if it is on one side of the field. You

can sometimes just ease the tension by putting a ball in from behind. I

think it is a good move for him and the club. And what are you going to

do next? I have put in for a few things. Nothing has happened just

yet. By will try to get back into management as soon as possible.

Could it be a return to England? Because Leicester did not really

turn up the wages Board. -- turn out the way you thought. I would

like another opportunity. Are you a better manager for what happened in

Scotland, what went wrong? Scotland job, I found it

interesting, to say the least. I have had time to look back at the

whole thing. There are a number of valuable lessons, like any job.

Every job you have makes you a better manager.

Let's take a look at the Clydesdale Premier League. Inverness sneaking

The SPL resumes on Tuesday night. There are two and league games on

Sunday. Fewer games because it is We've live televison coverage of

that St Mirren-Celtic semi-final plus SPL highlights next Sunday