22/01/2012 Sportscene

You it has been another weekend that has proved that betting on SPL

results is a perilous pastime. Highlights coming up with a

Scottish player with his sights set her on the English Premier League,

with plenty of previous on this side of the border. Straight down

the middle, United lead! A superb free kick from rocks and! Fantastic

from Robson! Middlesbrough and Scotland midfielder Barry Robson is

here. One of his old team's, Celtic, were in Paisley for the first game

of the weekend as they look to strengthen their position at the

top of the table. 5-nailed, -- 5-0, Celtic again saying there at the

last time. St Mirren had won only one game since, but it was against

Rangers. St Mirren at manager Danny Lennon did not hang about in giving

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to St Mirren. They have made a player, there are few of them in

have caught that better. He was just signed on Friday from Hamilton

Paul McGowan. That was a phenomenal save! He has had a few of those

this season. Worrying times for Neil Lennon. A big shout for

handball against 19 threat there. A corner only. Thomas Rob Lowe went

had made a different ball Celtic, they brought on Anthony snakes and

afternoon in Paisley. But with one sweep of the right boot of James

Lennon may watch on a wonder how two teams. Conditions have been

good understanding. A horrible afternoon in Paisley. We have had

the points will be safe for Celtic. Reminiscent of his goal at Ibrox in

the Scottish Cup last season. Scott Brown puts Celtic into a commanding

Thomas Rogne was not the man Neil Lennon said afterwards that

that was as tough as they have had in this winning run of 12 straight

wins from a position in which the job of Neil Lennon was being

speculated about. I think it shows the strength of character in the

team. I have looked as Celtic and Rangers through the start of the

season and have always fancied Celtic. I think the squad is a lot

stronger. I think the Rangers players have been reunited as a

group and over the last few years they need a bit of help and I think

they need the owner to spend a bit of money. They keep relying on the

same players. That is why I think Celtic will keep pulling away.

important a Celtic has been the return of Scott Brown? He stayed

injury-free. He has been having problems with his ankles. What a

lovely touch that is there. He has that in his locker. That has been

the main thing that has been good for Scott. His goal was something

special. You do not tend to associate this with him, although

we do remember back to Dunfermline. Yes, it is a copy of that. People

do not give him credit. He is a good football up. He is good on the

ball, he is dynamic. This is what he should do more of. He has the

talent to do it. He can add more goals to his game. He can get into

the box a bit more and he has but legs and he has the energy. What do

you make of a James Forrest? Tottenham are open in their

admiration for him. He is a big assets for Celtic. I remember when

I was at Celtic and he was a young kid and he was coming in and I was

impressed with him right away. He looks like he is progressing more

and more. He is not the type of player that rolls the put over the

ball. He is very dynamic and very direct. He is a lovely lad, he

seems very crowded and down to earth. He has a big future ahead of

him. I would like him to stay at Celtic a little bit longer and ply

his trade. Maybe get Celtic back in Europe and get some big-game

experience. I do not think the Celtic fans have always been

totally convinced about Fraser poor stuff. He is on loan from Newcastle,

but he's beginning to show the form that is really important. These

kind of says making just as important at one end as his Gary

who per scoring goals at the other end. -- Gary Hooper. It is a

specialised position and if you want to achieve anything you have

to have a first-class goalkeeper. He is getting stronger and stronger.

That is reminiscent of why Celtic are pulling away. The front players

are starting to bang the goals and. It starts at the back and there can

be a knock-on effect all the way through. He is helping the team.

Having played at lunchtime yesterday, as Celtic had a five

point lead by the time that Rangers kicked off at Ibrox against

despite the big question mark hanging over his future. In from

the start, Josh Magennis and Rory a free kick. David Healy has come

through. Great ball in, flecked onwards. Nikica Jelavic got the

header. Jason Brown reacted well. Nikica Jelavic. He shoots. Just

wide from David Healy. Two goals it through. That is a way by Cardle.

McArdle was there. Eventually he will get the corner in. Anderson

with the header. It just glanced chance for Rangers. Aberdeen not

defending well. Nikica Jelavic got the initial touch, then David Healy.

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a good save from Jason Brown. away. One or two Rangers players

claiming for hand ball. Like Anderson, here. He went up. It was

Carlos Bocanegra off the line. Comes through nicely on to Chris

Platt. Drags it through. Tries to get away from Berkeley. Anderson

steps inside and he could find the corner. That is a great finish!

Aberdeen have the lead after 60 the thinking that went into it. He

saw that the corner was available and he gave MacGregor no chance.

Rangers behind. Maurice Edu. Deflected! And Rangers have the

equaliser. Four minutes after going behind. Maurice Eddy with his first

goal at Ibrox this season. He got away from Clarke. Picked up the

strike. Playing with confidence and a warden with the goal. Nikica

Jelavic set him up well. Nikica Jelavic! Sliding in. It was not 1

million miles away. McGuinness. Driving through. Might have been

just enough players around him. He will certainly be on happy but it

will be a yellow card from referee. Josh Magennis was motoring through

here. Berkeley. And brown with the save. Falling to the side. He just

got that with his right hand. That was a crucial stop from the

Aberdeen keeper. That is a really disappointing draw. Since Celtic

are back in the winning ways, Rangers are played 10 league games

and have won only five of them. That graph explains a lot in the

shifting balance? I think so. As I touched on earlier, the squalls of

the start of the season, Rangers were punching above their weight.

You cannot keep replying -- relying These guys need help now and the

team badly needs investment. A has Walters met in performing miracles?

He has. I think it would be good if they could get it sorted out at the

boardroom level and they could get this big tax thing that is looming

over the club and tried to get them back on an even keel and get some

investment because it is better for the league. Celtic are running away

with it at the moment. If we talk about Aberdeen yesterday, Terry

Anderson, we're talking about finance again. Aberdeen would love

to hold on to him with his contract expiring at the end of the season.

But he is 29 and this is maybe his last big deal. I doubt that

Aberdeen can afford to hold on to him? He has been a great find. He

has done a wonderful job for Aberdeen. It is disappointing

because Aberdeen is a terrific club and I grew up watching them and it

does come down to finance and that is a terrific finish. He uses the

defender to bend at around him. This was not a bad that will strike

at Tannadice? Unbelievable, their goalkeeper had no chance. He has

been a great find and Aberdeen will do their utmost to hold on to him

because he could be a big player. You mentioned David Weir, he went

on to the pitch reluctantly yesterday to do his farewells and

he arrived on a short-term contract for six months and stayed five

years. It winners' medals, lifting six trophies in that time. It

really was an incredible story? is a credit to himself, his family

and Rangers. I spent a lot of time with them on Scotland troops

because we had children up at first thing in the morning and we used to

have breakfast. I actually met 10 was on holiday and he is a terrific

man with time for everybody. The ultimate professional. And he is

going to be missed hugely from Rangers. And this is part of it,

when you lose your main character, and you can see what is happening

on the pitch because of that. A but, he will move on, David Healy was to

keep on playing. He is only 41! But he is going to be a tremendous

manager and a good coach. And he is a good man. Let's look at Barry's

the two other former teams, Dundee United against Motherwell at

Tannadice and Inverness at home to Inverness manager mucking in with

all sorts of volunteers, together to make sure the match got played

but the weather conditions improved as kick-off approached, Caley

Thistle or Hearts over the rainbow? The travelling Hearts fans in fine

voice, the singing turning to groaning as this fizzing along

range shot cannoned off the shot -- the crossbar. The Irish winger,

Jonny Hayes, has been on fire of late. This shot was spoiled and the

ball ended up in the net courtesy of Kenny Gillet. No goal. Also out.

Terry Butcher banned his players from using the word tired on

Thursday and it might have worked, if the side looked fresh and in the

second half they continue to be too hot for Hearts to handle. And the

ball was other fumbled into the net by the usually sure of hand Marian

Kello. Inverness with the lead. There was in Inverness schemes for

a penalty. Was this hand ball from Jamie Hamill? Hard to tell but

probably not, judging by the camera behind the goal. Already with one

goal to his name in the match, Shane Sutherland was hungry for

more. Probably more of a cross... But it was only kept out by the

crossbar. Terry Butcher's men looking for their third win in one

week. There was a claim for a penalty for hearts but it was very

weak. If anything, David Templeton standing on the calf of the

Inverness defender, Josh Meekings. John Sutton had a chance to square

things but this was Caley Thistle's day, their 4th win for what is now

an unbeaten run of six games. Difficult to know what to expect

from this one. Good play from Johnny Russell down the left open

up Motherwell to begin with and Jon Daly with the set-up. And John

Rankin with the shot. A great save from Darren Randolph. Could play

down the left for Paul Dixon and the ball ended up in the back of

the net. Johnny Russell took the plaudits but this will go down as

an own goal. Stephen Craigan with his eighth own goal in the SPL.

That's a new record. The Tannadice and and so does not get to see

replace... Johnny Russell nipped in ahead of Stephen Craigan, Keith

Lasley was guilty of giving the ball away cheaply and some step

overs and the shot was wide of the post but not by much. A real talent

in that the making, Gary Mackay- Steven. It looks like Michael

Higdon was switched off in the second half and a few voices of

dissent heard from the Motherwell fans but this was almost an own

goal from Paul Dixon. Next, Tom Hateley crossed for Michael Higdon

but it was too high. They play football that is easy on the eye

and create chances. Jon Daly setting up John Rankin again... And

a good save from Darren Randolph. As the clock ticked down it was

looking increasingly bleak for the men in grey but whenever Henrik

Ojamaa crossed, there was Michael Higdon... The gesture was not so

clever but the system is playing off and the striker is showing real

strength of character to keep getting into the right positions to

try his luck and this time it worked. In the end, Motherwell

could have won this match. Henrik Ojamaa, a real live wire and Paul

Dixon trying to claim that this was a dive. It just looked like a

penalty. The defender sticking out his leg and tripping up the

substitute. 1 - 0 is how it Suddenly, instead of thinking about

the drop zone, Inverness are looking at getting into the top

six? They is an amazing story, I was there years ago and the club

are punching above their weight every year and there seemed to keep

get -- getting in there. Terry Butcher puts on some entertaining

football. I watched them against Dunfermline midweek and they looked

dangerous at times as well. It is a credit to the football club, how

well they have been doing. possibly the Highlands Derby next

season? I have played in a couple of those. They love it up there.

They love the Derby. And they love their football. It would be great

to have both clubs up there. I hope they keep rising up the table. They

deserve to be there. Flying the flag for the Highlands. It is

remarkable that they have gone down and straight back up. It is credit

to them. That is a hard thing to do, to get into that first division

once you get down there because you but it gets cut and today's players.

They managed to hold most of them together and they have bounced back

up. For one record you don't want is the greatest number of own goals

in history. And Stephen Craigan, no stranger to the studio, it belongs

to him after this one. He was keen to blame everybody else! They

always do. It is one of those things. You don't know what the

goalie is, you don't know what has coming behind you and you're just

trying to get something on to it. It's unfortunate but he is getting

older so he has played a lot of games so he can possibly be in it

on that! The Games seemed to change for Motherwell were never Henrik

Ojamaa, he comes off the bench. He was immediately lively for them and

he set up this chance for Michael Higdon, he went on to create the

goal. And then could have had a penalty at the end. Pretty

impressive cameo? He looks like a real talent. And he is diving into

the red areas, picking the ball out of the pockets and is looking for

the forward passes, penetrating. That is a great cut back and a

finish. He looks to be a bundle of energy, someone who can go past

people and as soon as you leave one leg out of the batch, -- out of the

box, you're going down. As soon as you lose your leg, you are down. A

you would not have needed as much contact as that? That is a thing. I

am so surprised the referee never get that penalty. As soon as you

leave one leg out, you will go over. Paul Dixon try to getting booked

for diving! Is that just relief at not getting the penalty? I think so.

I think the attacker will feel aggrieved. After was not much

contact but he left his leg out there in the first place and he did

a obstruct his run. I will err on the side of the attacker.

Motherwell player who could be in trouble after yesterday as Michael

Higdon, who greeted that equaliser with this gesture, which presumably

was aimed towards his own supporters and he has been giving

them some stick the season. They're not too keen and his performance.

That is a manager saying, kiss and make up what the fans. He does a

polite clap. We have seen Lee Griffiths in trouble recently for

that kind of gesture. It is the Sheehan, fans want to have a go at

you and that is football but that is something you need to deal with

and the best way is by putting the ball on the back of the net. No one

is interested in seeing those gestures because he is a handful, I

have played against them and he is. He could be a good player for

Motherwell and will do good things and if he keeps banging the goals

in, the fans will be cheering his name. Yes... They changed quickly.

Last weekend's result at East End Park was significant in the battle

for SPL survival, Dunfermline four points adrift after losing at home

Hibs had Gary O'Connor back in the starting 11. They were up against

the St Johnstone team with Lee Croft on loan from Derby making his

season has come again St Johnstone. And that was offside. It was very

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here. It is only a yellow card and and St Johnstone take the lead at

Easter Road! -- Lee Croft. A great finish, second time around. He got

the rub of the green when the ball fell kindly for him but what a

might have been a better option. -- their but great reaction from Mark

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to the shot from Sandaza. Stevens is a penalty kick. The referee in

no doubt about that. And Leigh Griffiths will have the opportunity

from the spot, to bring Hibs level. Leigh Griffiths, whiff a 7th goal

of the season, it brings Hibs right less than a minute after the

equaliser, St Johnstone are back in front. Woeful defending from

And himself back level once more. And it is the young full-back who

has got the goal. It was a sumptuous finish. And Hibs have

game! St Johnstone, twice they have been pegged back, and once more

they have come back in front. And It was a dream date in many ways

for Lee Croft on his debut but he might not have been a round to

score the goal if he had been sent off. Was he lucky to see the alive.

Yesterday, we had exactly the same thing, and the player got a red

card. All over at the moment you're seen these tackles. As soon as your

feet come off the ground, you are playing with fire. Most referees

are sending players off. I do not won the tackle to go out of the

game but as soon as you lift your feet off the ground you will

struggle. By what a good finish it is. He gets a second bite at the

cherry. You can understand why he put his arm around the referee

there. He is being clever there. He is on the booking and he knows that

anything else and he could be off so he is trying to stay on the good

side. It was far from happy about what happened. They were sickened

about the quality of their defending. Twice they got back into

the game, firstly with this penalty. But within 45 seconds, St Johnstone

were ahead again. Anderson has his arm around him for the first goal.

This one, he is a young Welsh international, Andy has to watch

and know what is about him. He is a young defender and he will learn

from that. You make your mistakes and then you learn. A great finish

their, using the defender again. This is the Paul Hanlon, he gives

Sandaza all that he needs. On the edge of the box, he does not move

anywhere. By what a turn and finish that is, a great goal. For me, I

would be disappointed, because he should not be allowed to turn on

the edge of the box there. Players in trouble again. It is Leigh

Griffiths, and he has been charged once already this season. That is

him looking towards his own fans while taking a corner kick. And

watch the right hand and the gesture. His manager, who has

already warned him this season about his behaviour, will be

seething about the same thing again. It is frustrating as a football

player. People want to have a property but you need be bigger

than that. I remember it at Tynecastle, it is not great, but he

has to be bigger than that and better. He is a good player, he has

talent. He has come back appear, he took a great penalty yesterday, and

he does not -- he does look like he has a great future. He can answer

all his critics by sticking the ball in the back of the net and

showing people how good a player he is. That is what he should be doing.

He is still a young kid, and we all make mistakes. Fingers crossed, he

will learn from it and move on. long as it his fingers crossed and

not anything else! With Hibs losing at home, Dunfermline had the chance

to get closer to their survival It came back to Joe Cardle for the

Scottish Cup look in the middle of the week against Inverness. But

they are in front and they deserve to be! Kilmarnock at sixes and

sevens at the back. It was misjudged by Mo Sissoko. It is a

few games and then lost. Great save by Turner! That is why he was

brought to the club. He missed the Cup replay in midweek having not

featured in the squad for the first game. He is back in the side today

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Dunfermline. And Joe Cardle gives them a bit of insurance. The

getting results and they are doing comfortable at the back what the

weather in this game. Basham -- would have put the icing on the

Buchanan! This has come from absolutely nowhere. 3-0, at Rugby

Park! Who have this on they coupon? It was a great day for Liam

Buchanan, who made two and scored one. A great day for Dunfermline.

Lots of people were writing them off after last weekend. They

clearly had different ideas. It is credit to them. They were in their

1st Division and the amount of people I heard saying that the

football they were playing was entertaining. They came up engine

MacIntyre has stuck to his police. They have done terrifically well.

This is what the young lad needs to be doing every week to help his

club. He looks like a real talent. And Joe Cardle seems to be the one

that opens things up for them. They have a real chance of staying up

because if they can keep Mark Kerr, and get calico back as well. They

need him back. -- Paul Gallagher. Let us have a look at the Premier

Dunfermline are at Fir Park on Tuesday night which is life on

Radio Scotland. Thereafter four SPL games next Saturday. -- there are

There is live television coverage next Sunday of the semi-final