23/04/2016 Sportscene

Good afternoon and welcome to the results show.

Forget Shakespeare's anniversary - we've got

all the drama you need, until

Today's dramatis personnae are Scotland goalkeeper Gemma Fay -

Keep it high brow folks - we're on BBC Two.

First unto the breech dear friends is the Bard of Bellshill.

That's Chris McLaughlin to you and me.

He's at Fir Park watching Motherwell against Hearts in the Premiership.

Good afternoon. Good afternoon. I have been called many things... 1-0

to Motherwell. Ainsworth midway through the first half. It started

like a midweek training match, low tempo. It sparked into life after

that goal from Ainsworth. He rocketed a right foot shot low past

Alexander in the goal. That started a kind of Hearts mini fightback. In

the second Hearts had two charges chances. Motherwell should probably

be out of sight by now. Hearts disappointing, especially given they

are fighting for the second place from Aberdeen. At the moment it is

1-0 to Motherwell. Now time to go to Firhill where Partick Thistle are

hosting Dundee. It is 1-1. Very little at stake, both sides just

missing out on the top six last time round. They are effectively fighting

for seventh place, but making a good fist of putting an entertaining

match on. Dundee took first blood, Hemmings with his 24th goal of the

season. A predatory finish from him as he tapped in from Paul McGinn's

cross. Partick Thistle in the last few moments have drawn level. The

10th goal of the season for Doolan. A corner into the boxes cleared

away. A very even contest, as you would expect, from two side

separated only by goal difference going into this match. Hibs are way

to Morton this afternoon. Hibs still chasing second spot. A huge amount

to play for for Hibs this afternoon. But it has been a bit lacklustre

from Alan Stubbs's side. A lot has been said about the energy drinks

they have been drinking, but they have been lacking in energy this

afternoon. McGinn Has been left on the bench, struggling with a back

problem. But the game has been flat. The best chance has come to Morton.

A shot of the post, through the legs of the goalkeeper. Hibs's best

chance fell to Stokes, a looping effort over the bar. Hibs struggling

to get going. If they can't get three points, what the Blues that

would be to Falkirk and play Raith Rovers later afternoon. Now

Dumbarton, at home to St Mirren this afternoon. 68 minutes gone here.

This game delayed by ten minutes at the start because of traffic outside

the ground. Dumbarton are leading to live in one. Dumbarton will preserve

their championship status if they win and Livingston drop points at

Queen at the South, which I believe they are doing at the moment.

Looking good for Dumbarton at the moment. It wasn't looking good after

ten minutes when Gallagher put them ahead. A lovely volley into the far

corner of the net. St Mirren were looking good and it looks like they

would have a half-time lead but just before the break an own goal by

Keith Watson. The Dumbarton left-back crossed from the left and

Watson turned into his own net to make it 1-1 at half-time. Straight

after the break, both sides hit the woodwork. St Mirren also hit the

bar. Fleming when one better on 54-minute scum and lovely half

volley into the top left-hand corner from about 20 yards has put them in

front. Looking good for their survival hopes. It is, Livingston

trailing 2-1 away to Queen of the South. That would be a significant

day's work for Dumbarton. Absolutely, they have done well this

season. One thing Steve Aitken did with bring players to the club with

experience. That has maybe paid off over this campaign. I have seen

Livingston a few times in recent weeks and they have picked up as

well. They have played some good football. I would think they would

fancy themselves in a play-off position to stay up. That would be a

great achievement. Gemma, Jonathan saying much has been made of Hibs

and the energy drinks they have taken. It doesn't seem to be working

today and they need a win. They do, but they have come off two massive

games. The semifinal to go to the Scottish Cup final and beating

Rangers midweek. They don't have a huge squad at Hibs. They need to try

get those players through that game and get the point if they can.

Because you're looking at the game later on, Falkirk, who are seven

goals ahead. If they drop points here, they have to try and pick up

some of those goals somewhere in the next two matches, which will be

difficult. Back to the Premiership. Chris saying a mediocre, low tempo

between Motherwell and Hearts. Is that how it is panning out? Not much

at stake? I would say that is probably a pretty fair

representation. From the bits and pieces we have seen it in here, a

bit surprising Motherwell are not further ahead. They have had the

better chances. Hearts don't seem to have the cutting edge and have

looked a little shaky at the back. Scott McDonald missed a good chance.

To show the journey Motherwell have come on in recent times, the last

time these two met, Hearts won 6-0. What a difference a few weeks make,

now vying for fourth. Hearts have qualified for Europe. That show use

you the journey Motherwell have had. They have made the biggest leap in

the last few weeks and Gainsborough wards. That is the top six. Now the

bottom six, Partick Thistle against Dundee. A goal for Dundee, and

another one for Hemmings. 21 in the league for him now for the striker.

Beautifully set up, as he was for the first time, by Greg Stewart,

playing on the right wing for Dundee this afternoon. He set him up with a

pinpoint pass down the right flank. Hemmings was onto in a flash and

kept cool to slide the ball under the body of the goalkeeper from the

right-hand side of the penalty area. Looking good for Dundee in that

battle for seventh place. Looking good for Livingston, as you can see

on your screen, they are -- not looking good for Livingston. They

are 3-1 down. Party time for Rangers at Ibrox this afternoon. Not even

the football could spoil it. Six days after beating their archrivals

Celtic to reach the semifinals, they were up against Alloa Athletic.

Rangers behind to a goal from Duffy eight minutes in. James Tavernier

scoring just before half-time. Andy Halliday, missing a penalty today,

but they don't look too disappointed. No wonder, they were

presented with the championship trophy post match. Richard, the

party beginning with a whimper rather than a bang with the

performance but it doesn't really matter? It doesn't because they had

a run of three big games. They won the league and beat Celtic in the

Scottish Cup semifinals. Maybe a bit of a dip after that. But I think the

Rangers players need to be careful, they have a Scottish Cup final at

the end of the season. There is a gap between the end of the

championship and that game. They have to keep a competitive system

going and their form, as well as their fitness. They cannot

completely drop off. -- keep their competitiveness going. I watch the

game and it was in keeping with Rangers's performance this season, a

lot of possession, keeping the ball but they don't play Pennetta of

passes. Today was about the game, it was about separating the title. I

think the Rangers fans, celebrating the end of four years of exile from

the top flight. That is what it was about. There were 50,000 at Ibrox.

50,000 now. Mark Warburton getting praise from another Rangers legend,

Graeme Souness today, saying he has done a fantastic job. No one can

argue with that. I don't you can argue with that at all. He came to a

club in disarray. If you look at the way in which Rangers failed to get

promoted last year, and you look at that team today, there is such a

difference, an absolute difference in the mindset of the team and the

way in which they act at the club. I think it is a remarkable turnaround.

He has done it in an unseemly way, gone in there and done his job.

Rangers' archrivals Celtic took a step towards taking the title last

night. St Johnstone doing the work for them, dishing out a 3-0 doing of

Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park. It was another case of Aberdeen defending

poorly. I think it was probably their worst display of the season.

It is astounding for me, because this is a team that still had a

chance to win the league. You would expect the opposite of what they

showed. Every time the ball came into the box it looked like St

Johnstone had scored. Here, a classic goalkeeper move, I've come

out and I know I am not getting this, I will show and hope I get

something. And he did. You haven't done that... I have, on the move. I

think they lacked any sort of desire, even if you are having a bad

game you dig deep and find something. I think every time Celtic

have given Aberdeen and opportunity this year in the league, Aberdeen

have failed to take it. Three losses in the last four and you cannot do

that if you're trying to win the league. We can hear what both

managers said after the match. I mean, a similar type of performance

against up there the hearts game. It shows you what a good side we can

be when we play like that. Tonight it we need -- we needed more

strength of character, more physicality, because we got pushed

about and the best team won. Interestingly for me I think that is

the first time I have heard Derek McInnis mentioned the phrase

strength of character in relation to Aberdeen? He made the point earlier

in the season when fans and media were talking about Aberdeen lacking

bottle for the title challenge, was very strongly making the point

Aberdeen had won big games. He is almost going back on that today.

They beat Celtic twice this season. They lost to hearts in the last game

and he said that was a missed opportunity. What he meant was that

was the missed opportunity to put pressure on Celtic ahead of the Old

Firm game, to see what would happen to Celtic at that time. Aberdeen

have missed a chance. If there is one thing we have learned about

Aberdeen this season, they have a good starting line-up, good players,

but I don't think they have the strength and depth to really push...

The defence is not strong enough and I don't think they have enough

options in midfield. There is work for Aberdeen to do despite the

progress they have made. We are pushing onto the big football story

of the week. The demise of Ronny Deila as Celtic manager,

metaphorically falling on his sword on Tuesday. But the knives had been

out for him for some time. We can see him in happier times, the start

of his tenure, his brief two-year tenure at Celtic in the Celtic Park

sunshine. I think when he came in a lot was made of his background, the

fact he was a coach, about developing players and making them

better and he fitted Celtic's philosophy, which I think he did.

But he was inexperienced and it was a bit of a gamble. I think everybody

realise that. He had a good season, won a couple of domestic trophies,

did OK in Europe. This season, a lack of progress, the team has gone

back and even individuals... If he was making Celtic players better he

might have got another shot at The players have gone back, he that he

must combat any has not delivered what he said he would. It was

inevitable this decision would be made. I have been quoting

Shakespeare today. To quote Ronny Deila he said it was a lack of

improvement which killed him inside. It was obviously weighing on him,

the performances. He used to play for Celtic and I have met him a few

times, he is a stickler for his own standards. He will be feeling this

and hurting, not having made the difference he thought he could make

at that club. The fact is, Rangers have been out of that division four

years and Celtic should be in a position where if Celtic came up --

Rangers came up next year, they couldn't touch them. I think they

will go on and win it this year, but it is not enough for Celtic. Rangers

got them last week, was this the straw that broke the camel's back?

As far as Ronny Deila was concerned? I think he was going anyway, the

result and the manner of the game, Rangers boss them in the early part,

I think that brought the decision forward. But I think it was already

made. I think Ronny Deila, the way Celtic performed in Europe this

season, the lack of progress of the team, I think the board were already

of that mindset. I think the fact they lost this game, it put pressure

on. The fans are angry because of the outcome. Pressure on the board

and the manager. In some respects I think he did the right thing. He

said, I'm going but there are these games left, we want to win a fifth

title. I want to leave on a high. The fans will get behind the team

now. It is a calculated risk announcing it now but I think it was

the right thing to do. That's Celtic performance, it was flat. They

couldn't match Rangers the tempo and intensity, pressure on the ball and

I think all those things but matters to a head.

Let's talk about who will succeed Ronny Deila, the name of David Moyes

has been conjured up in these discussions among fans and the

media. Gemma, is he the man for the job, or is he the type of man for

the job? Will he take it if he's offered it? I don't know is the only

answer I can give. David Moyes has come off the back of two clubs where

he has been a bit burnt. I know that he could go in there and improve

players. I look at Rangers and Mark Warburton who has gone in there and

he's done a fantastic job and that's almost the kind of manager serve the

needs who is big enough to deal with the club and also strong enough on

how he will develop players but I cannot put a name on who that player

is at the moment. Celtic fans want a big-name. I think the board would

like a big-name because they want to sell season-ticket sales, season

ticket sales have not been good enough somewhere between 30

5000-40,000 is not enough, they want somebody to bring fans back to the

club. It is a huge job to do at Celtic and Gemma touched on the fact

Celtic have been out of the league for -- Rangers have been out of the

league for four years. Charlie Mulgrew is out of contract in the

summer so the squad has got to be cut but new players will have to

come in. There is a huge amount of work to be done at Celtic in a short

amount of time. And whether it is has to have a big enough personality

for the job but be good enough to make swift decisions on players and

be good enough in recruitment to bring replacements in. That might

appeal to somebody like David Moyes whose best work is done building a

team over a period of time. Use say building a team over a period of

time. Celtic don't have the luxury of time. -- you say. Rangers back

next season. Not with the Champions League qualifiers coming up.

Celtic's wage bill will be around double what it is at the moment,

Rangers will add to their wage bill, Celtic have great resources, they

have good players, that Celtic team should win the league more

comfortable with and it is and it is underperforming. When I say there is

work to be done it is in making that's got better and getting better

value from the wage bill but they are significantly further ahead than

any of the other teams in Scotland. Celtic compiling a list of potential

candidates, the pitch has cleared with the Euro is coming up because

potential candidates like Michael O'Neill and Roy Keane will be on

duty with Northern Ireland and Ireland, will that diminish their

chances of taking over? I'm not sure it will diminish the chances come of

the Celtic board will take their time and think about, as you said,

who we need in this position and what exactly we need them to do. And

of those guys, the people at the Euros taking teams, and they think

that's the right candidate answer sure they would wait as was done

with Louis van Gaal when he went to Man United when he was still at the

Netherlands. I think there is a great point there, there are so many

players at that club, Kazim-Richards, Carlton Cole, to

name but a few, on money, brought in for big-money there have not given

anything to the club, and they need to look at that. Is a cultural

change needed in terms of Ronny Deila, very much as a head coach,

would you agree? And they perhaps need old-style manager, a strong

character? I'm not sure about that, they need to refocus their

recruitment strategy. Celtic's best work in that department was done

when bringing in players from abroad who were young and undervalued at

the potential to be developed and sold on. There was a lot of them.

You have to do that but they've lost sight of that strategy because they

have guys on loan from Man City and the names Gemma mentioned, they are

basically and they've taught a number of young Scottish players

like Scott Allan and Alan Christie. They have to decide what they are

doing. Is it these guys they are signing? The people from abroad?

What is the focus of the recruitment strategy not that it has to be a

manager but they have to be more clear-headed and have somebody who

can develop players because overall Celtic's strategy is sound. They

don't have the money to buy ready-made Champions League players,

they have to develop them themselves so whoever comes in must be a good

coach. More on Celtic later as we look ahead to their match against

Ross County but the full-time scores are trickling in from today's

matches so we will bounce around the grounds starting at Firhill where it

is full-time, Partick Thistle- Dundee.

Dundee continue their dominance of this fixture with a third victory of

the season at Firhill, the team separated only by goal difference

before the match, and that was reflected in the closeness of the

contest. The difference was the presence of a proven matchwinner in

the visiting ranks, Hemmings's 24th and 25th goals of the season

rendering Kris Doolan's effort in between pretty much meaningless, his

first goal came against the run of play. Hemmings dashed into the box

to get on the end of Paul McGinn's cross, and that gave Dundee a

half-time lead but it was cancelled out when Doolin scored his 10th goal

of the season, his header on the end of a cross, even Partick Thistle I

hope of coming from behind and winning the match, but it wasn't to

be. Hemmings came onto the end of a Greg Stewart pass and gleefully

tucked the ball below Ryan Scully to give Dundee all three points and

move three points clear in the battle for seventh place. It

finished 2-1 Dundee. It is all over at Fir Park where

Motherwell were at home to Hearts. It is a win for the Steelmen, 1-0

deserved in a match when Hearts huffed and puffed but produced

little, Lionel Ainsworth with the goal midway through the first half,

Scott McDonald twisting and turning on the edge of the box before laying

off to his fellow forward who rocketed the ball low right footed

past Neil Alexander which sparked something of a Hearts comeback

temporarily but they struggled to find a way through a sturdy

Motherwell defence. In the second half it was all Motherwell, two

great chances, one of the post and Scott McDonald blasted over the bar

when he should have burst the net. The game really opened up after

that, Juanma had a good chance well blocked and at the other end Marvin

Johnson forced a save with a long-range effort forced up seven

wins in 94 Mark McGhee's Motherwell but defeats for Hearts that you

would think all but kills off their push for second spot. Full-time

Motherwell 1-0 Hearts. Into the Championship, once again, to

Greenock, Morton against Hibs has finished. Let's hear from Jonathan.

It has finished 0-0 at Cappielow. They didn't deserve three points

this afternoon, in fact, Morton had the best chance of the match midway

through the second half, the left-winger firing a shot through

the legs of the keeper Mark Oxley and it rebounded off the post and

hence scrambled to safety. That was the best chance in the game,

lacklustre performance from Hibs, they looked lately and tired after

their exertions against the United in the Scottish Cup last week, the

match against Rangers. We thought it might put a strut on the step but

they looked tired. A lot was made -- made of the energy drinks introduced

by Alan Stubbs. They tried to add impetus in the second half but it

wouldn't come. The best chances coming from Anthony Stokes, looping

shot well saved by Derek Gaston. Another chance was ruled out for

offside. Morton looked solid until the end. This result will give

Falkirk who play later this afternoon a huge boost as they try

and clinch second place. Sandra Brown was watching Queen of

the South at home to Livingston. Queen of the South 3-1 Livingston

and three second-half goals for what turned out to be a comfortable win

over allegation threatened Livingston. Queen of the South

dominated the first 45 but couldn't make it count and found themselves

behind after the break after Sam Stanton scored after Jordan White's

knock-down put them ahead. Into the second half Queen of the South

continue to command and pulled level on the hour mark through Derek

Lyle's converted penalty, the veteran striker scored his and Queen

of the South's second of the afternoon ten minutes later, header

from a corner, ten minutes from time 25 yard effort came back off the

crossbar, the clearance found the pink boots of Gary Oliver who

slotted the ball home. In the final five minutes Queen of the South were

reduced to ten men after Lewis Kidd was sent off and Wilson hit the

crossbar again. The final game of the season here finished 3-1.

That means if Dumbarton win at home to St Mirren this afternoon

Livingston will face a play-off to remain in the championship. That

game at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium is still going on. Let's get

an update. It will be a huge few minutes for Dumbarton, currently

leading 2-1, so as it stands they are safe but they have one minute of

normal time and three or four minutes of added time to survive

until their survival is secured. It is 2-1 Dumbarton. They were 1-0

down, Gallagher put St Mirren ahead but an Watson goal and a wonderful

second-half goal from Fleming has Dumbarton 2-1 up. There is still a

Championship match to kick off this weekend tonight, and it features two

teams who have already secured promotion play-off places. Raith

Rovers and Falkirk. They are hoping to finish second in the division

ahead of Hibs, Scott Davie is at Stark's Park and is standing by to

set the scene. There's been a big boost for

Falkirk's ambitions to finish second, the draw between the teams

at Cappielow this afternoon means it realistically with their advantage

on goal difference and managers always talk about mathematical

certainties, they will really be looking for just four points from

their final two fixtures to clinch second place, given Hibs' failure to

win the game today. They could not have got a better position than

Raith Rovers, Raith Rovers made five changes to the team that won at

Dumbarton last week, just one defeat in their last 12, but their manager

Ray McKinnon said he doesn't want to show his hand against potential

opponents in the play-offs, which is why he's made wholesale changes to

the starting line-up. Four cup with just one change, Alan Muir head

suspended after being sent off last time out, coming into a fixture

which has been pretty good down the years for Falkirk, losing just once

in 13 league meetings between these clubs.

Falkirk will be rubbing their hands, Raith Rovers have made wholesale

changes, surprised, Gemma? Not really surprised, they've secured a

play-off spot and it's properly quite a good move. If I am Falkirk

in the dressing room I will have a smile on my face because I'm

thinking four points, two wins and that is as their. If I may Hibs fan

I'm pulling my hair out because Hibs have done this time and again this

season, had an opportunity to take a step forward and it has Peter De

Waele. They couldn't score today but in mid week they scored three times

against Rangers -- repeated the way. They got to the final of the

Scottish Cup however. It has been a curious season for Hibs and the

curious week. This is Hibs all over, they took advantage of the Rangers

team that was still feeling the effects mentally and physically of

their game in the Scottish Cup semifinal at the weekend. Hibs are

capable of playing nice football and scoring good goals. Where their

season has flipped is I think there was a time earlier in the campaign

when they were very sound at the back and they seem to have lost

their way now and they have conceded goals they would not normally

concede early in the season. They missed a chance today. The same

thing happened to Hibs last season, they ran out of steam physically

when they got to the play-offs, and it looks like the same thing could

happen again. It is all very well talking about energy drinks and

these things, and the players will recover properly, of course, at a

run of games in a short period of time at the end of the season could

end up ending the promotion hopes. Is it a big worry running out of

energy, Jonathan talked about the energy drinks and we touched on it

earlier. Do they concentrate on the Scottish Cup final now? Absolutely

not. The Scottish Cup final is a bonus. They need to get out of that

division, Hibs are a big club, a massive club, and they need to be in

the Premier. I think Hibs supporters might prefer a Scottish Cup win. I

don't think so, Hibs fans will want to go up. The board budgeted for two

years in the Championship on the base is the first one had Hearts and

Rangers in it, they've had the second season and if they don't go

up how do they keep the team together? We are going to head back

to Dumbarton, the game between them and St Mirren is over. What news do

you have? Dumbarton will play championship

football next season because they have preserved their place in the

Scotland's second-tier, they have won 2-1 against St Mirren and the

fans and players are on the pitch to celebrate, the second season in a

row that Dumbarton have managed to stay in the second tier and they are

delighted about it. The Shakespeare quote that comes to mind is the

course of true love never did run smooth. That's because before the

game I met a group of six Dumbarton fans who had travelled all the way

from Zurich in Switzerland to see the match, that is true love but it

didn't run smooth because St Mirren went 1-0 up through Calum Gallagher

in the bottom corner, lovely half volley but then it started going

Dumbarton's way soon after that because just before half-time gave

Keith Watson own goal made it 1-1, and after the break in a brilliant

fashion, a sublime volley by Garry Fleming into the top left corner has

turned out to be the goal that kept Dumbarton up, even that Livingston

lost to Queen of the South and the players are parading around the

pitch at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium, clapping the fans,

they will play in the Championship next season.

Gemma, once again Scotland's top part-time club.

And achievement and rightly so they should celebrate managing to

maintain their place in the Championship, on the other hand, St

Mirren... Let's not go there! It is another club that needs to figure

out what it needs to be and how it will get there and the strategy, it

wants to be in the top division but based on what has happened this

season they need to do a wee bit of soul-searching. The next part of our

strategy is to go to today's classified results round-up.

I think all those things but matters to a head.

We kick off with the Scottish Premiership. That match between St

Johnstone and Aberdeen played last night. Three matches tomorrow.

On Monday it is Tottenham Hotspur against West Bromwich Albion.

League 1 should be coming our way shortly... It is. Worth waiting for.

Let's have a look at the tables in the Scottish Premiership. St

Johnstone sitting there in fourth. Motherwell should be forth now,

shouldn't they? Motherwell up to fourth. Sam Johnstone dropping down

to fifth. Dundee move on to 44 points with their win over Partick

Thistle. Let's have a look at the championship. Rangers are the

winners of the Scottish Championship and have been for some time. Alloa

Athletic relegated. Livingston, who lost Queen of South, will face

relegation play-off. In League 1, Dunfermline athletic

the champions. Ayr United and Peterhead secure in their places.

Stranraer still not over the line. At the bottom, Fofar Athletic have

been relegated. East Fife the champions in League 2.

Queens Park, Elgin City and Clyde still in the shout of edging into

the play-off places. At the bottom, East Stirlingshire go into the

pyramid play-offs. In the English Premier League, Man

City the only team in the top four to have played this weekend, a big

win for them, 4-0 against Stoke City. Aston Villa already relegated.

It is tight elsewhere. Newcastle United and Sunderland on 30 points,

Norwich City just a point outside the relegation zone on 31.

And in the English Championship, that one has not updated either I am

afraid. I wonder if the bottom half of the table has... Yes, it has.

Three teams down, MK Dons, relegated today. Charlton Athletic, went down

midweek. And Bolton Wanderers have been relegated for some time. One or

two issues with the graphics, but I think we got there in the end. Let's

stay with matters in England and get a match report from Manchester City

against Stoke in the Premier League. Manchester City 4-0 against Stoke

City. If Manuel Pellegrini had been asked for his ideal scenario in

preparation for Real Madrid on Tuesday, they surely would have been

it. A routine victory, a clean sheet and an opportunity to give his star

men a rest. They started sluggishly and needed an opening goal. Fernando

got it with a near post header. And a Sergio Aguero penalty did the

rest. Stoke rallied briefly in the second half and maybe should have

scored two. Joe Hart denied Marko Arnautovic. Up stepped Iheanacho

with two smart finishes to finish off Stoke City and give Pellegrini

the opportunity to take off Silva and Aguero. Stoke, 12 goals conceded

in three matches and the season cannot end soon enough. Newcastle

United's fight for survival took them to Liverpool today. Rafa

Benitez returned to Anfield. Newcastle's first point away from

home this year and they gained it from an almost hopeless position.

They were 2-0 down and not in the game at half-time after two left

foot strikes after from Daniel Sturridge and then Adam Lallana.

Good news for England this summer. Benitez gave one of those famous

Anfield half-time team talk and back came Newcastle. Mignolet let them

back in, came for cross when he shouldn't have. Papiss Cisse into an

empty net. Then Jack Colback with a volley in the penalty area. They

applaud Rafa Benitez of the pitch, who waits to the home fans. They

stormed back into the game. They could have won it at times,

Newcastle. A huge point in their season. Liverpool will feel

aggrieved they didn't have a penalty when Daniel Sturridge went down in

the penalty area in the second half. It finishes honours even at 2-2.

A point for Liverpool today. Let's concentrate on Liverpool's rivals

Everton. A big game for them later tonight in the FA Cup against

Manchester United. Could have implications, or am I stretching it,

for what happens next for Celtic in their hunt for a new manager?

Roberto Martinez could be on his way out if they lose, is that a fair

point? It is a fair point. I think he might be on his way out even if

they win the FA Cup. David Moyes question mark I am not sure David

Moyes would go back there. Once you have been somewhere and had a good

time, do you go back rest muck Neil Lennon, should he go back? He is

desperate to. Can you top beating Barcelona?

What would make it interesting if Roberto Martinez lost his job is if

Everton went for some unlike Eddie Howe or someone like that. Then you

get a moving off the deckchairs. I think David Moyes is holding on for

something like that. He wants to see what opportunities become available

in England for him before he decides what he wants to do. We believe

Aston Villa are interested in him as well. He's waiting to see what

happens this summer. It could have an impact that white. Let's look at

the three matches to come tomorrow in the Premiership. Celtic against

Ross County. What do you think the atmosphere will be like at Celtic

Park? What kind of reception will Ronny Deila get? I think it was a

smart move to make the announcement this week, take the pressure off. I

think it would be muted if he hadn't made that announcement this week. I

think the focus for everyone at Celtic, fans and of a run at the

club, is getting over the line. Four points, five points to win. They are

not far away. It is a fifth title in a row. That is significant for the

club. I think there will be a good atmosphere. I don't think there will

be a full house, nothing like it. Ross County shouldn't be

discouraged, they are a hard-working side it will make it difficult for

Celtic. At the other end of the table, Dundee United must win at

home to Hamilton. Yes, must win. And the problem they've got, they have

only won six out of 33 games. For them to think about catching

Kilmarnock they have to go out there and win all their games. We thought

we saw a bit of a mini revival from Dundee United, but even if you look

back at the semifinal and the way Donaldson left the pitch, I think

that sums up Dundee United in terms of infighting, the management, the

board, the players. I'm not sure they will do it. Hamilton, they have

to win as well. At the start of the season you tipped Hamilton to go

down. I was ridiculing you say never happen. I tipped them... Partick

Thistle to go down and Hamilton to be second bottom. That shows you

what a mess of that. Hamilton have gone through this season pulling a

victory out every so often to improve their circumstances. That is

how they've managed to cling on to the third bottom spot. They have not

had a good season. Not played as good as they have done in the last

couple of seasons. A victory for them would just about secure them

staying above the play-off zone. But you couldn't be certain. Even

Dalmarnock have picked up. A great result against St Johnstone the

other week. I think so. Kilmarnock, they have goals in the team but they

are not getting them often enough. They will see that game is one they

can win tomorrow. Right folks, every dog has it's day,

and I've had mine - First, though, a look

at today's results: Starting in the Premiership. Last

night St Johnstone at a handsome win over Aberdeen.

In the Championship, some significant results today.

Dumbarton's win over St Mirren confirming their championship

Now then, Jonathan Sutherland

tomorrow night at 10.30pm on BBC One.

The Results Show is back next week this time on BBC One at 4.30pm.

Right now, though, Off the Ball's Saturday Supplement

Those fellows of infinite jest Stuart and Tam,

burying and praising Scottish football in equal measure.

If you don't fancy that - there's live coverage

of Raith Rovers versus Falkirk on 810 medium wave.

Thanks to today's guests Gemma Fay and Richard Wilson.

Probably in a couple of weeks actually.