21/04/2013 Sportscene

Am sent the header over the bar. Am sent the header over the bar.

Am sent the header over the bar. There is his manager's reaction. I

who, in turn provides Hooper. There is the opening goal. The party can

Commons doing well to wriggle his way out of trouble. Back to Commons

once more. once more.

Lode by picks up. -- Ledley. Lode by picks up. -- Ledley.

He poked a goal. Ledley doubles Celtic's lead. He can begin to relax

Celtic's lead. He can begin to relax now. No chance for the keeper.

now. No chance for the keeper. Is it is not entirely cleared.

scooped it well over the bar. Celtic scooped it well over the bar. Celtic

Hooper's 28th of the season would Hooper's 28th of the season would

you believe? They can start pop approximating the champagne about

approximating the champagne about now. -- popping the champagne now.

Samaras - and that's the icing on There were options in the centre.

There were options in the centre. And there was no stopping it. It's

the second-half performance the second-half performance

little bit of a consolation for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in

injury time. But it won't spoil the injury time. But it won't spoil the

party at Celtic Park? That party will be in full swing by now, with

another one to come when the trophy is handed over. Because of his

touch-line ban, Neil Lennon had a 15-minute wait to make his

appearance out on the pitch which he eventually Z after talking to the

fans, he had a word with me as well. Neil, you have won a few titles as

player and manager. How does this player and manager. How does this

feel? Better because it is the next one, the present one and I have done

it again as a manager which probably means a little bit more than in My

playing days. It look a while to get to the finishing line. Does that

matter? There are four games to go. I think that's a pretty healthy

winning margin. Domestically, there have been times when we haven't been

at our best but there were mitigating circumstances. I think we

have been pretty consistent from the have been pretty consistent from the

turn of the year. And on the back of a great European campaign, it's been

a really memorable season. It's human nature, isn't it, when you

come down off those emotional highs, that league games can be difficult

that league games can be difficult by comparison? It is something we

need to look at. It's our first year. When they played a team there

were ten making their Champions' League debut. The glamour, the

quality. I have experienced myself when I played here. It is very, very

when I played here. It is very, very a spectacular season. With the

Scottish Cup Final to come. It could be another silver lining? Well, it

is something to look forward to. It was really important to get through

last week. We have a Cup Final at the end of it now which shows the

consistency of the team but we know Hibs have their own incentive to win

the Cup. It is further down the line. Another piece of silver that

is important to the club and players. We will be going all out.

It is party time. But you will be looking sharpish to next season and

you have set the bar high in what you have done in Europe this season?

It will be difficult to replicate that. The most difficult thing is to

go to the qualifiers. It has come so early. For me, it is the toughest,

the first games of the season. We did it last year. We hope we can

replicate it again in terms of replicate it again in terms of

pre-season. Has he surprised you or become the

manager you expected him to be? has not surprised me rat all. I

think he has -- at all. I think he has Dobb tremendously well. -- I

think he has done tremendously well. He spoke well out on the pitch and

picked out the three goal scorers today, Samaras, Hooper and Ledley as

three key players to him. They've delivered for him this season when

it has mattered most. Possibly this season and the last season before,

Guy Hooper has been one of the most influential signings. And Ledley has

really grown into the role at Celtic. Coming from Cardiff, a

different play where he was able to get into the box. He probably has to

play more time on the ball at Celtic. And Samaras on his day can

win any game. You saw how important he was during the Champions' League

campaign. He was desperate to get fit for every game. He knows his

strengths. He can take the ball and take people on. I think he made a

point of over the last three or four weeks. You are bringing up different

players and praising them week-in and week-out. He has praised Neil

Lennon in the end, in the second half, after breaking down Inverness

resistance, they did so in some style. It was a game today that they

were looking to sign off in a bit of style. Adds Steven said, the lads

that had produced the goals have been their biggest players. -- as

Steven said. In the bigger games, the biggest players have stepped up.

They were terrific today. These are the vital statistics, which confirm

the vital statistics, which confirm across the season which you reckon

sum-up the Celtic story. They have different little moments in them.

This was the first one. It was in between of the Champions' League

qualifier of Helsinki. This was probably a distraction to them.

Their whole main intention was to try to progress in the Champions'

League. Of course they had a little bit of luck. Langfield made a

blunder but they had done enough, got into a good positive start and

they could kick on from there. it is a part of the season Neil

Lennon has to wrestle with. He is talking about the league qualifiers

Yes, you are recovering from a long, hard season and you are into the

qualifiers with the Champions' League and as Steven highlighted,

they are vital for Celtic to progress in Europe, especially the

way that Scottish football has been this season. Their shining light has

been Celtic and the Champions' League. A will the has been said

about European hangovers but here is a game against Hearts when Celtic

was firing on all cylinders in the midst of European action. This is

what everybody had been waiting for, since July, to dominate a game. High

since July, to dominate a game. High intensity. Good quality. After this

game, they won 11 out of 12. That for me has won them the title. The

big players on the night played well. A difficult venue there at

Tynecastle but they dominated from start to finish. They set a marker

down for everyone. At the turn of the year against Motherwell and two

the year against Motherwell and two big players playing a big part.

Fraser Forster has been a big signing. He has come and maybe

people didn't know a will the about him but on the big occasion he has

taken his own performance to a whole new level. Gary Hooper has made a

problem for himself by scoring so many goals at Celtic. 28 this

season. Robert, strange in a way - I think has played better in previous

seasons. He still scores goals. His body language is that he is not

fully content about what he is doing and where his future lies but when

the big games come he is on the end of things and he plays well. When he

plays well, Celtic play well. He brings other players in. Where

Celtic have struggled a bit is away from home. Once they have been in

sight of the finishing line. This was the game against Ross County,

they were two ahead. Maybe it was going too smoothly. Back came Ross

County to bite them. Can you relate to this? Going up north as well is a

tough place to g Inverness and Ross tough place to g Inverness and Ross

County. They have places to go. They know they are not going to win the

league. Mentally maybe they switched league. Mentally maybe they switched

off at that period. In the Champions' League, this was the

Saturday following Juventus. The great occasion. To go from the

Juventus stadium to Ross County, it is a little bit compacted. The pitch

not great. People were questioning the mentality of the players. Their

performance dictated that it was a matter of time. There were big

question marks. Neil Lennon criticised the players the following

week against Aberdeen, and they scored after 15 or 16 seconds. They

found themselves behind but to regroup and to get that appetite

back and to go on and which. Steven you have played at Celtic Park,

right to the final whistle the fans demand you try to win. I think what

Neil Lennon does remarkably well, in his time at Celtic, he says the

right things at the right moments. After the Ross County game he was

highly critical of his players and rightly so. You have seen they have

come back with great character. Neil is the type of person, he has a

great hunger and a great desire. This goal celebration tells a real

story as well but this meant a lot. It is because they're nearly there

for the title. They know they would have been criticised and Neil would

have spoken to them. Players with a point to prove is a big motivation.

You can see they were desperate to say something to the manager.

Obviously they don't like being criticised. It summed-up the Celtic

spirit. The distraction of European football and international breaks,

it was upsetting the rhythm but when they scored that, they knew that the

title was almost in the bag. Neil Lennon has put pressure on himself,

particularly with what he has achieved in Europe. Without Without

a douchlt he is making a lot of noises down south. -- without a

noises down south. -- without a doubt. Neil has raised the bar for

his own high standards he has set and also for the team. Well done,

Celtic, they are champions. Today's other Premier League champion was

other Premier League champion was header for the opening goal from

header for the opening goal from header for the opening goal from

header for the opening goal from He had the chance there. Steve Lomas

knows it. Careless there in the knows it. Careless there in the

Penalty kick. St Johnstone had the chance to

Here is a man with a point to prove. Here is a man with a point to prove.

Great finish. Sheer determination from BRIT tan steered the ball away

from BRIT tan steered the ball away from the goalkeeper. -- brchlt

from the goalkeeper. -- brchlt entertaining match so far. Both

entertaining match so far. Both up after 25 minutes. This is a great

delivery in. A clever head header delivery in. A clever head header

from Murray Davidson. He guided past from Murray Davidson. He guided past

A great shot and a marvellous save. Good play all round frb Sproule and

then from the goalkeeper Alan then from the goalkeeper Alan

This side have lost three on the Could have could have, who knocked

His Ross County debut is over, Kovacevic. A penalty. It's the

second of the afternoon. And Scobbie, a rash challenge on

Scobbie, a rash challenge on Sproule. A good save initially.

Watch Sproule. That was clever, the dummy on Scobbie. He has beaten the

goalkeeper once. The same determined look. Eyes the goalkeeper and sends

look. Eyes the goalkeeper and sends him the wrong way. Ritchie Brittain.

The first Ross County player into The first Ross County player into

Abeid has been delivering good balls just wide. Fraser Wight took a

just wide. Fraser Wight took a chance. The German was up but sent

chance. The German was up but sent it wide there. Ritchie Brittai n

making headlines with both Ross County goals. Making it clear he

wants to cancel his pre-contract and wants to stay for family reasons.

Off-field can impact on-field you are more happy if you have the

support of your family but it seems a strange situation for Ritchie

Brittain. But he has proved by scoring two penalties he has kept

his focus and determination and formered well. This is the ultimated

in holding your nerve, isn't it, against a set of supporters who

probably aren't liking you too much. Not just one penalty but two.

think it sums up his season. He think he has been their talisman.

Takes the free kicks and corners. He was in the SPL before with

Livingstone and St Mirren. He didn't make the grade but he has stepped up

to the mark. You can see why St Johnstone wanted him, come January.

If it is family issues, until it is resolved you have to take him from

his word. Sometimes off the field matters count more than anything

else. It is the way it came out. It has come out in the press before St

Johnstone got any word. Both three times wanted three -- both teams

wanted three points for the European slot. I think St Johnstone's big

game is Inverness next week. They know they probably have to win that

game. European football for these two, if you told them that at the

start of the season, and possibly coming third they would be

delighted. Dundee won't be heading back to the

First Division without a fight. They were looking to further de delay

relegation when they went to relegation when they went to

Craig Sampson had to get away quickly.

Dundee haven't won in Paisley since 1997. It would be a good time to

1997. It would be a good time to start. More height than distance in

start. More height than distance in the clearance there from McAusland.

unlucky. It was McAllister initially but it was headed away by van van.

But how about that for a dipper from But how about that for a dipper from

McBride. -- van Zanten. It was Steven Thompson's initial header

there. I think he claimed it came off an arm but regardless Dundee

have survived that. It came off have survived that. It came off

ahead of Goodwin. That will be a yellow card for the St Mirren

yellow card for the St Mirren McAllister and the Dees lead.

They've had their chances. Finally They've had their chances. Finally

they've taken one. John Baird over the head of Goodwin and McAlister

the head of Goodwin and McAlister regularly! It's his 16th of the

regularly! It's his 16th of the season. And they are back in it.

Dundee being pushed towards that relegation trap door. They have to

win today, to prevent that hoping. A great ball in there and a greed

great ball in there and a greed save. Frustration for John McGinn.

-- a great save. He was beating the -- a great save. He was beating the

turf there. The goalkeeper reacted turf there. The goalkeeper reacted

is going to be sent off. It is the St Mirren Captain's second booking.

It was for the tackle here on the It was for the tackle here on the

beginning to get more into the game. beginning to get more into the game.

Easton went himself. Sampson was beaten but the wood work bailed him

beaten but the wood work bailed him beaten but the wood work bailed him

are back in front and it is Karl are back in front and it is Karl

Finnigan's first of the season. The saunt Mirren players clearly don't

think this has crossed the line. Finnigan doesn't care about that.

Finnigan doesn't care about that. Dundee do not want to go down today.

Finnigan's had a horrible time with injuries. This will be some kind of

injuries. This will be some kind of injuries. This will be some kind of

payback. Nothing short of a miracle will stop sun deheading back to the

First Division but they're demonstrating defiance at the

moment. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but

will they be wishing that they appointed John Byrne maybe moonth

earlier. I think the evidence from the results he has had, and the

influence in the team has been terrific for them but also,

sometimes you might think that maybe they will be going down, so they're

playing with a lot more confidence because they feel like they have

nothing to lose. They are about to embark in the process of appointing

a permanent manager. Should that be fairly brief? You would think so on

current form. His remit when he came in was to keep them up. It was going

to be a difficult task. He lost one in seven. That's impressive. A lot

of critics, had a lot of harsh words to say. But he silenced them. He

been aggressive in the play. He has attacked teams and got the goals.

Scott guard Gardener said there would be applications tomorrow

morning but you would think he would be at the top of the list. They got

the win, Dundee. You wonder maybe whether they should have got all

three points because Karl Finnigan's winner, we can't afford goalline

technology at the moment but that didn't look to be in. When you are

watching it there, it is not clearly watching it there, it is not clearly

clear, a clear point of view. Maybe they've had a bit of luck. If you

ask undefans who have Treved the lengths and breadth of the country

and haven't had much to shout about they would think it is the luck they

deserved. It has come a bit too late. Unless it is clear-cut you

can't give T I think the linesman is quick putting the flag up I'm with

you, that they deserve a bit of luck. And maybe there was a penalty

claim for St Mirren that wasn't claim for St Mirren that wasn't

upheld. It wasn't clear. But the penalty. He has struck the hand.

Danny Lennon wasn't chuffed. A veiled swipe at the skipper for

getting himself sent off, two yellow getting himself sent off, two yellow

booking, he is caught flat-footed. But as Captain of your team, you

cannot make rash tackles. You cannot make tackles. Apparently he had been

warned a couple of times before T maybe that wasn't a yellow card. I

think the centre-forward has been very clever. He has put himself in

and brought him in. You can't make silly tackles. You are leaving the

manager short. He has done well, you are the most experienced player and

leaving the manager short. Whatever happens, they'll finish on

the bottom six. Having won the bottom six. Having won

silverware. I think Danny Lennon will be disappointed. They have a

good mix of players. They will be bitterly disappointed where they are

on the table. Kilmarnock were looking to bounce back from that

disappointment at home to Hearts and looking to extend an eight-match

unbeaten run against the Tynecastle unbeaten run against the Tynecastle

Hearts were 1-0 up in the fourth minute. Al-Sistani only starts ten

minutes after the kick-off. It has not been going Kilmarnock's way of

not been going Kilmarnock's way of not been going Kilmarnock's way of

late. -- Sissoko. In the second, Hearts certainly

initially remained in the ascendcy. Jamie Walker's thrusting run ending

with him spread eled in the box, following a challenge from Sissoko.

Ryan Stephenson's penalty was well-truck but also well-saved by

the keeper who also saved a follow-up. The pass that will r

nearly led to another penalty but the referee decided it wasn't.

Carrick should have made it 2-0 to Carrick should have made it 2-0 to

Hearts. Just as it was starting to look like Hearts might actually pick

up only their second away win of the season, Kilmarnock ramped up the

season, Kilmarnock ramped up the pressure. The home side gave it one

more go, Fowler's long ball knocked on by knocked Sissoko but he pulled

on by knocked Sissoko but he pulled I was at that game and was impressed

by Jamie Walker. Before we speak about him, the two penalty claims

one upheld, one not? This one, good positive play. He is driving at

them, taking them on, trying to commit people. I think it is harsh.

I don't think he does enough wrong. It is about positive play. It is

about getting in and around the box. The centre-halves sometimes, there

is a -- lazy leg. I think it was not a penalty kick. Kilmarnock's season

appears to be fizzling out. They were into the top six but at times

yesterday it looked like they didn't want to be there. I think obviously

that will be playing in their minds. Kenny Shields will be disappointed

not to make the top six. Sometimes once you get to this stage of the

season, when you maybe think you should be higher than what you are,

when the games come and you are playing in the bottom six and it is

maybe not as motivational as it would have been. Who would have

thought that Hibs, top of the league in November, beating Celtic at the

end of December, would now have Hearts up level with them on the

back of that? That's what happens when you win two in 17. That's the

record they are on. Gary Lock is not under pressure but he wants to

improve the squad and go into next season with optimism. If he can push

on, and they have the Edinburgh derby, but maybe they could get luck

derby, but maybe they could get luck there.

Dundee United against Motherwell. Dundee United against Motherwell.

Dundee United against Motherwell. they want to cement their position

as the country's second-best team as the country's second-best team

and delay Celtic's celebrations. Well what a goal for Michael Higdon.

Two minutes on the clock and a Two minutes on the clock and a

sensational opening goal. A wonderful strike from the

Liverpudlian. That was in all the way. 23 for the season, it equals

Willie Petigrew's post-war record for Motherwell. And it is chance

number two and we've only played eight minutes and Motherwell double

eight minutes and Motherwell double What a start to this match. How can

Dundee respond now? McKay, Steven, Dundee respond now? McKay, Steven,

it takes a tumble. The referee is only interested in awarding the goal

kick. Let's look. There is contact there. Is it enough to award a

there. Is it enough to award a James MacFadden. Again the tangerine

sea opens up. He will with he'll got a shot away. He couldn't find the

target but far too much space opening up and Motherwell almost

opening up and Motherwell almost Number two for him. Number three for

Motherwell and surely that just about wraps up all three points.

Beautiful turn. 24 league goals for the season for Michael Higdon. That

is a new post-war record for Motherwell.

Motherwell. A lovely free kick there from Wilo

Flood. Only the wood work keeping Flood. Only the wood work keeping

him out. He was inches away. Dundee him out. He was inches away. Dundee

goal. Number 15 for the season for John Dailly. Good finish through the

goalkeeper's legs but surely a too goalkeeper's legs but surely a too

Little too late. You were at that match. A lot going

into it, saying Motherwell must win to stop Celtic having their party

before they played their game but it is important for their team.

gives them a gap, six points now gives them a gap, six points now

with four games to go. I look at someone like James MacFadden, coming

in at an ideal time of the season. In January last year, the manager

brought in a player that made a difference. And he has done this

with MacFadden. A clever piece of business by Stuart. The goal-scoring

of Higdon is phenomenal. When you realise he has passed the post-war

record, that underlines how we will has done. 24 league goals in the

campaign. It is a tremendous achievement. You know, you see him

scoring - he is going on a variety of goals there. You would classify

Michael Higdon as being aggressive, with balls going into the box but

again, there he is showing two really, really good strikes for me.

It is 70 SPL goals now in total for Michael Higdon after spells with

Falkirk and St Mirren. I got the feeling that Stuart McColl was

confident he will be able to hold on to him but there will be a lot of

interest. It is probably Hectoring at this moment Most managers and

clubs are looking for somebody who score goals on a regular basis. Over

the last few seasonses, out of any Old Firm club, he has probably been

the most consistent. He gets criticised at sometimes. But it is

not about people running channels, it is about putting the ball in the

back of the net. Nobody at this moment does it better than Michael

Higdon. They have a good goalkeeper. They might have to do about it, if

They might have to do about it, if the rumour machine is accurate. He

could maybe end up in the Premier League. He is certainly a player

that is has caught people's eyes. He has been tremendous and has got

Motherwell a few points where the shots he has stopped. His level of

consistency has been excellent. The Motherwell fans are probably

throwing things at the TV as I try to sell half their team. But that's

the inevitable, bhen you do as well as makal Higdon and Michael Randall.

I have never seen big Dan as busy since I retired there. Without

saying too much, he is certainly is going on to greater things much

there is no doubt about it. He has great presence. Since Craig Brown

brought him in, he has done well. He wants to play every week. There is

no point sitting on the benches but a top-class player. Before we go,

Steven, your contract at Middlesbrough is up in the summer.

What next? No idea. This is the first time I have been in this

situation. I'll look forward to the end of the season, to see what will

happen. We should have your mobile phone number running along the

bottom for interested parties. don't know if my wife would be happy

with that. Leaving Celtic was difficult for you, you had grown up

there, that was the job of your dreams. Yes I was lucky to be

relatively successful at Celtic, it was great. Three-and-a-half years

ago now. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Middlesbrough. Again it

is a new chapter in my career. You have had special moments in the blue

of Scotland as well. Gordon Strachan currently the manager. I'm trying to

get you a wee recall. I have spoke to the manager. The most important

thing for me is just to be playing week-in and week-out at a club where

they want me to go and play. Whatever that's going to be I'll

look forward to it. You know what Gordon Strachan is B is he the right

man to get us back to some sort of credibility? I think so. He

specially at this time he is a manager full of passion and full of

commitment. He gives players a lot of confidence and belief to play.

So, I think he's definitely the right man for the job. Management is

something, looking further down the line, that interests you. You are in

the process of getting your badges done. As you know, but hopefully

that's five or six years away. not trying to get you to hang up

your boots. Em' 30. Hopefully I have a few years left at playing and

that's definitely the avenue I would like to go. Whether it is management

or coaching but for just now I'm concentrating on playing football.

Let's check on the Premier League placing then, which confirm Celtic

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds

placing then, which confirm Celtic next Sunday night. You can access

the highlights any time at the BBC website and you can see this show

again on iPlayer. That's it from both Stevens and from me on the day