25/11/2012 Sportscene

Good evening. Nearly four months into the season, the difference is

only 14 points between top and bottom. Talking of bottom of the

league, the Dundee captain joins me in the studio. We will start at the

top, and Celtic's attempt to put an end to the recurring theme of the

Celtic with the throw. Hoping to get off a good start. They have had

get off a good start. They have had their problems after their European

opened up well. Wanyama battled hard for it. An easy save in the

layback from Hooper. Foran throwing themselves and Tudur-Jones comes

forward. Shinnie goes himself. Caley Thistle's top scorer taking

trick against St Johnstone in the League Cup. Just went too quick

goal. It is Lustig who sends it wide. All credit to the full back

for coming up in support. He perhaps should have left that for

Motherwell ended a nine-game have the lead at Celtic Park with

64 minutes played and Billy MacKay gets on the end of a lovely pass

He took both out with that touch. And the touch on for Mackay. He was

come off Raven in the end. The cross over was a good one. Samaras,

it did hit Raven that is a good is off the post by Warren. That is

a vital interception. Gets the break, that it came off the post.

to the joy of the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper came. It was knocked

away. That is another free kick. Here come I Inverness Caledonian

Thistle. The move forward. Billy Mackay is inside him. With a chance

for two. Aaron Doran, no! That should have been 2-0. Initially off

the bar by Billy McKay. He wanted all day and they should have been

two head. Nobody could begrudge two head. Nobody could begrudge

Terry Butcher his celebration at Celtic Park after words. We all

remember the Scottish Cup but this is their first ever league win at

Celtic Park. Sometimes when there's an away win at Celtic Park it gets

forgotten because Celtic didn't play well, but I think for someone

like Terry, seven games into the season may have not won a game. It

was difficult for them. Many people thought he might be looking for a

new job. It has been a dramatic turnaround. Is from four, Billy

McKay, Andrew Shinnie, a lot of talent. They have certainly caused

problems. Some people wondered how Inverness would react to being

beaten by Motherwell. That is probably one of the best games they

could have gone into on the back of that result. Going to Parkhead,

there is no pressure on you. It is easy to lift yourself for that game.

Taking nothing away from them, they go and beat the champions. I was at

the game for Radio Scotland and Celtic were susceptible to counter-

attack in the second half. The game became stretched, and Billy Mackay

got the goal. That is what happens. When you have your chances you need

to take them. When Neil Lennon looks back, he'll realise this is a

bad one to lose. Charlie Mulgrew plays him onside. The game opened

up. That suits Inverness. They can play counter-attacking football.

They could have had a second. That would have been harsh many, but

they were well worthy of getting something from the game. Normally

when you go to Celtic Park they dominate possession. You need to

ride your luck. Things need to go your way. It certainly went their

way. Going into the midweek matches, Inverness could go joint top of the

league. It is very impressive for a team like that to be in that

position. More impressive is they have scored probably the most

amount of goals in the league, but they have conceded a lot as well.

To be in the position they have been for conceding so many goals is

testament to the players. They are obviously scoring goals. That is

seven games out of 14 in the league this season in which they have

The home matches that have meant lost points, strayed on the back of

Champions League games.And will be looking for a reason why. The

Champions League takes a lot out of players, it's not an excuse, it's a

fact. It is the manner they are giving goals away. That will

frustrate him. As much as that is a great finish, it is from a set-

piece. Celtic have lots of big players, you can win those balls.

Celtic giving away possession cheaply. They give the opposition a

left. If you do that, you struggle. The last thing Celtic want to do

his chase the game. That does not suit them. Here is another

individual mistake. Celtic have usually been defensive. The only

conceded 21 goals last season. Already they conceded 13. When you

going to Parkhead as the opposition. When you go there, you need to keep

it tight, the fans can quickly turn if you get the first goal. I would

imagine it's hard enough playing in front of 5,000 fans turning against

you, when you have 44,000 turning against that must be difficult.

These players should be able to handle it. A couple fans did turn

against Neil Lennon. Are they not happy with beating Barcelona?

know, it's amazing how one result changes things. Expectations are a

lot higher. I think Neil Lennon is just asking for a bit of patients.

They are still in all the cups, last 16 of the Champions League,

top of the SPL and did not hit top form. He's looking for a bit of

patience. Enjoy the football. You cannot win every game. Steven was

not quite ready for his comeback yesterday. Could Dundee continued

their recent revival? Ahead of kick-off, the Brummie a point

behind St Mirren and the gloves were off. -- Dundee were a point

behind. It is brilliant. Motherwell are on the ropes. We will stay in

this division this year. It's a fight for survival. Second round.

St Mirren and Dundee squaring up to each other. John McGinn to take the

each other. John McGinn to take the corner kick. Steven Thompson met

that at the near post and struck it off the upright. St Mirren almost

taking an early lead. Riley will latch onto the end of that pass.

It's a good cross, Stevie Milne with the chance, and St Mirren

managed to hack it clear. Really good opportunity here for Milne.

bad challenge by Colin Nish! Willie Collum, that's a straight red for

Colin Nish. It did look like a nasty challenge. Dundee's task is

round the goalkeeper. There's Steven Thompson coming in, St

Mirren in front in the basement battle! Terrific passing from St

makes himself a little bit of room. That's a fine shot and a really

good save by Rab Douglas. He keeps the score at 1-0. Lovely skill by

young John McGinn. So nearly found advantage. It falls for Kenny

McLean. Douglas doing just enough to turn around the post. Kenny

McLean, we've seen him score from distance already this season. Riley

running at the St Mirren defence. Craig Samson has beaten that one

away. He didn't fancy trying to hold on to it. Safety-first from

Steven Thompson, good save by Rab Douglas! He really has kept his

side in the match, the big keeper. Headed on by Gallagher, Stevie

Milne. Claims for handball. It looked like Willie Collum was going

to signal for the corner but he's given a penalty kick. He shows why,

Jim Goodwin had his hands in the air. Stevie Milne whacked it off

them. A chance for Dundee to equalise through Ryan Conroy. He's

done it! Dundee right back in this have drawn level. It is all to play

manager. St Mirren have dominated the game. They find themselves

Mirren. Gary Teale will be the man to deliver. Curled towards the

front post, it's Steven Thompson once more! A double for Thompson,

Thompson. He just managed to angle the ball forwards. Danny Lennon's

side have the advantage once more. Gary Teale's corner almost found

Gary Teale, but it was missed by chase. Imrie looking to make the

points safe, and he has! Three minutes to go and a third goal for

the home side. It's the substitute, Dougie Imrie, always looking to

turn back onto his favoured left the slightest deflection off Conroy

second goal himself. Plays it across goal, and Gallagher doing

well to put that somehow over his since you played. What is the

It's been a three month problem. It is not an viry. It is more a

medical condition that caused inflammation to go through my body.

It was a difficult one to diagnose. But I'm on medication for it now

and I'm on top of it and hopefully I will be back soon. You have had a

groin problem too. But you're training and hoping to be back soon.

I hope to be in training this week and see thousand rest of my body is

-- how the, the rest of my body is fine. I have a groin problem. I

will see if can I get back N it has been a frustrating three months.

How painful was yesterday to watch, having got to close to St Mirren in

seven out of nine game and losing that one. Yes, it was a big chance

to go there and come off the bottom of the table. It is a hard one to

take. Now we go from being one point behind to four. But we have

got to take the positives. We went for so long with ten men and

managed to compete well. And obviously, now we are four points

we have proved that coming from eight points, that we can take

confidence even yesterday. ending off of McNish was a big

moment. This a case for the defence? Obviously I'm biased and

defence? Obviously I'm biased and try to defend them. Having spoken

to him, I know he is not malicious, I don't think he has went to thurt

boy. But can I understand why the refees sent him off. I don't think

that is most difficult red card I have seen. You can defend him, but

the evidence is there. Colin's lost the ball and he has went and tried

to get it back. If he play the ball he can get away with it. Because

the foot goes over the top. Its not the spwepbts. But the rules are if

you go in and raise your studs and it is dangerous, then you're off

that. Changes the dynamics of game. You were in the game. We didn't

start great, but that was just as we were coming into the game. So we

had to then readjust and I think we lost the first goal after that.

Which probably is why. This was Thompson getting the opening goal.

Obviously, at this point it is difficult to get back. Yes it is.

It is hard enough away from home, with eleven men, you go down to ten

it is difficult. But loads of positive. In the highlights it

looks as if St Mirren have battered us, but I felt we were comfortable.

And we actually get back in the game and probably if we hold on for

another five minute we may get a point. We shouldn't ignore the two

sides of the coin. Your old team, St Mirren, it is a massive result.

Yes, going into the game on the back of six defeats. If they had

lost yesterday it could have had ramifications for the manager and

players. They now look above themselves and they have a four

point gap and they go to Dingwall and if they can win that, they are

closing on to the top six. But it was important the players showed

what they were about. That Isola the younger players and the fans

needed. You have a veteran goalkeeper, he will love me for

referring to him that as' - as that. But he has been great. Yes you

don't play at the level he has played at without being a very good

keeper. It is not, in this game he has pulled off two good saves at

times when we needed them. But he has done that all season. Are the

players in good spirits about comeling -- spirits about coming

back? Yes I feel they have found their feet. And yesterday, six or

seven games ago if we had gone down to ten men we may have gone down.

But now it is a lot beer the. the Derby soon, how good a fixture

this a to play in? As long as I play it is good. You played in this

one. It was a great occasion. You have seen it us with a full house

at Tannadice. The result wasn't great for us, but a great fixture

to be involved in. There is Mr Nasty. It is just a wee stretch

more than anything. I think that was worse, Ritchie Ryan there.

looked miserable at the time. It was understandable being shown a

red card. But it was wiped from your record. Yes. No Mr Nasty.

Celtic losing, Hix had the chance to reclaim top spot if they could

He was looking for the back post. Aberdeen's top goal scorer. The

Dons looking to bounce back from defeat at Celtic last week. Hibs of

Doyle beat Jamie Langfield from a similar kind of area at Pittodrie

in the match earlier in the season knew little about it. Came off the

Jamie Langfield another question. It was Doyle earlier, Griffiths

this time, the SPL's top goal scorer. That is good skill. Didn't

quite get behind that one as he would have liked. He's scored 13

times so far, Lee Griffiths. Hibs between the two at the start of

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 45 seconds

second half. Spectacular effort It's not happening for him - the

now Scotland international. He did get Hibs' consolation against

Dundee last week to keep his own fine form going. Oh Fallon! He

scored a stunner against Hibs in the Scottish Cup semi-final between

the teams last season, the half are in front. Very much against the

run of play. But the Dons fans - who are here in their numbers again

- don't care about that. They care that their team are 1-0 up and

heading towards second in the league. Niall McGinn's eighth goal

but it was always rising from the not given. Caldwell's shot blocked

by Reynolds. It came down off Stevenson, Hanlon's flick doesn't

Hibs are feeling sore about how much they had of the game only to

lose. But it is a bonus for Aberdeen when you have soak up so

much pressure and McGinn gets the goal. Yes Aberdeen can go from

defence to midfield. They have pace and energy. They're more dynamic

and they have a final product. Yes, then done OK in certain areas and

defend well. Now with McGinn on form, they look a threat. They a

team that could go top of the league in midweek, do you like what

you see in Aberdeen? Yes to be honest, the fact they have went to

Hibs and won without big players for them like Rae and Hughes, and

Fraser. That is testament to them to go to Hibs, a hard place to go,

and win with three key players. When we look at how busy Jamie

Langfield was in game tells us Langfield was in game tells us

about the pressure Hibs had. I read in the paper about Russell Anderson

saying how pleasing it was to not play well and get a result. So

they're hung Troy get clean sheets. One thing for Hibs, if you watch

the highlights, it is all about Griffiths and if he is not scoring,

Hibs look soft up front. Vy -- every good bit of play it all about

Griffiths and teams realise if you can stop his threat, you can beat

them. Craig Brown spoke about it and said they had a big job f they

could stop Griffiths, they could win. He was with you at Dundee. How

much has Lee Griffiths improved? lot and he has matured a lot. He

used to get involved in things off the ball and interacting with fans.

You don't see that from him now. And everything he touches now turns

either a goal or a chance and he is a good player to have in your team.

The Hibs fans were getting excited about a penalty claim against

Anderson. I think even they will realise it is his chest. I think

the word desperation comes to mind. Because they had done so well, it

is their last attack. You can see the ball changes direction and puts

Russell off and he moves his hands back. It is more desperation in

trying to get something. Because of the bad performance at Dundee, they

were looking to bounce back and get a result. I think they got a good

performance, but the result was not good. There was just a point

between St Johnstone and Kilmarnock they were down to ten men. Pascali

was sent off. It loobd like he got the ball, but the referee produced

a red card. The Kilmarnock manager was less than impressed with that

decision and after contesting another, he was sent from the dug

out. Although as permitted, he stood close to where he started the

match. This game didn't lack talking points at first chance.

Tesselaar hees challenge on McLean looked a bad one. The referee was

well placed, no yellow, and another look indicates that was a good call.

And so on to other matters, such as goals and St Johnstone took

advantage of having an extra man. Davidson was set up. Tay day may

have scuffed the shot, but Davidson grabbed his fifth of the season. In

the second half, Killie's peserverance paid off. Dayton with

the ball into the area and Nelson rose well for the equaliser. A

point apiece may have been a fair result. Kilmarnock played most of

the game with ten men and fought back. But in the last minute, Vine

grabbed the winner. It was cruel for Kilmarnock, St Johnstone's late

winner saw them stretch their allowed to say things about St

Johnstone that a nice, but it's a good season for them. Yes, good

character in the team to come back from a bad start to the season.

players and the manager were under a bit of pressure, so to go on the

run they have gone his credit to them. They have Caldwell of

absentees. Sometimes I meet him at games, the manager, and he always

says he wants another player. If you look at the front four, every

manager in the SPL would like them. Craig Beattie has not played yet.

Yes. He has built a good squad. Murray Davidson is starting to get

more goals. He was always threatening that but the site as a

really good balance. Sometimes when you play against a side that goes

down to ten men it becomes difficult. The players go back a

bed and try and slow the game down. Ten men try a bit harder. So to

concede a goal and then get the winner, a great character. What did

you make of the sending off of Manuel Pascali? Similar to last, an

easy decision. I find it hard as a player to say it's a sending off

because he catches the ball clearly and he doesn't work the player. By

the loss of the game, the referee is well within his right to send

him off. -- by the rules. Kenny Shiels was saying the other manager

was in the year off the referee. He was explaining his view. Between

them, they went for the red card. He was not happy about it. Was that

the right decision? If the 4th official is involved, that's fine.

But the officials need to help the referee make decisions. The fact

that Kenny did the press conference right after the game, losing it in

the last minute coupled with the sending off, he's very animated,

passionate. He loves football, lots speaking about it. When he sees

that back and sits down, if you go with two feet, inevitably it is a

sending off. Manuel Pascali have to understand you cannot go in a bad

ball city and make that kind of tackle. Kenny Shiels explained he

could not sit down in the stands because of his piles. That was

probably too much detail. Dundee United seem to have a habit of

going a goal down before the kick into gear. Yesterday they played

league matches at home, but Dundee United threatened early on. An

understanding between Jon Daly and John Russell. Peter Houston wanted

Radoslav she is the act did well to tip it over. -- Radoslaw Cierzniak

early in the second half, he was beaten. The punch fell to Richie

Britain. Really good work by the captain and Iain Vigurs scored a

header to beat the keeper. A good ball in, and Iain Vigurs's glancing

header caught out there Polish keeper. 1-0 up, but their manager

looked relaxed. His mood may have changed, as that fire Dundee United

up. Stuart Armstrong chased the long ball. Great work for men to

set up Jon Daly. The finish was disappointing. Dundee United have

shown they are capable of fighting back. They did it against

Kilmarnock last weekend and Celtic this month. Erratic again. Michael

Fraser tried to be Johnny Russell to the ball but Johnny Russell won

the race. It was John Rankin with the long punt. It goal of the

better. The ball to Jon Daly, who set up Stuart Armstrong for a

Daly to have a shot at goal. The downward header to Armstrong was

clever. That was his first goal of the season. He almost grab the

second. The ball was cleared but straight to him. Fraser got to that

one and Dundee United took all You started your career with Dundee

United. They seem to like a challenge. Three times this month

they have gone a goal behind before the start playing. It very

difficult especially in the Premier League, when you call a goal down.

I think they're getting away with that because of players like Johnny

Russell. Gary Mackay Stephen, players that break at real pace. It

is difficult to play against them. With daily up front they have

Goals. It's not a habit Peter Houston well what his team to get

into. He will be glad that when the team got behind they can get back

into the game, but somewhere you become unstuck. You become stifled.

They get caught on the counter- attack, but maybe it suits their

type of player. Somewhere along the line they will come up against a

defence that are difficult to break down. They are mid-table, will we

be higher? I would have, and I expect them to be higher at the end

of the season. If they cut out losing a goal, they have the

players on their team that can make goals. They should be challenging

at the top. You had a loan at Ross County, how much did you enjoy

that? Really enjoyed it, everyone speaks about it in high regard.

They probably came into the lead and adapted quicker than Dundee.

They will be disappointed with the position they are in. A lot of the

games, they have been in winning positions, again yesterday, they

were a goal up. They have turned into draws from winning positions.

They will be a bit disappointed. Motherwell went back into the top

six with a win in Inverness. This with a victory at Fir Park, after a

convincing win in Inverness. But it's Hearts on the attack through

Jamie Walker. Through a trio of Motherwell players, then brought

crashing to the ground. Shaun Hutchinson amongst the guilty

parties there. A real chance for Hearts from the free kick. Grainger

and Stevenson over it. It is Stevenson who goes for goal. Good

save Darren Randolph. Well struck for Darren Barr. A deflection there,

and Randolph collects and catches Paterson in the process. It looked

a nasty one. Randolph does seem to flick out the leg on the follow-

through. That looks a sore one for appears. Humphrey gets it back to

Hateley. Henrik Ojamaa against Marius Zaliukas. Trying to find

Hateley again. Breaks back for Humphrey. That's a good looking

ball, Higdon rises.. MacDonald taking no chances, pushing it

behind for the corner. Again, Higdon getting the better of the

Hearts defenders in the air. Jamie ball. That's a lovely shuffle of

the feet. Decent enough try, but Darren Randolph got everything

behind it. Motherwell try to mount a quick counter-attack. Jamie

Murphy moving apace. He tries to pick out Higton. Maybe a touch

heavy with the pass. Higdon back for Murphy once more, deflected

wide. Chances at both ends. Murphy leading the charge. Michael Higdon

almost managing to get round the keeper. Jamie MacDonald doing well

Chris Humphrey tries to do something about that. Again, given

the chance to run at McGowan. Good try from Humphrey, MacDonald equal

Higdon was there at the near post. He couldn't fashion a shot. Would

have been trouble for Jamie feel he should have hit the target

there. That was a really good there. That was a really good

I thought year-old team would have won that one off the back a 5-1 in

Inverness. It's been a frustrating time for them at home. Taking

yesterday's game, they have not won at home for a while. All that was

good last week, the from four, Chris Humphrey, Michael Higdon,

Jamie Murphy, they were the catalyst. That meant Motherwell got

a good victory. Yesterday, they were a bit flat. They did not

breach the defence. They did not carry a threat. Ultimately the end

up with a point. This is your first appearance. The latest case is the

one against Darren Randolph, who did not get any card for this. Lots

of Hearts fans are raging about this. When I see it, he can go by

the player without touching him. Steven will probably disagree, but

he kicks out and I don't like to say that players have led to

deliberately hurt someone, and I don't think he really hurts him

badly, but he could bowl -- he could go by him without kicking out.

You will stick up for your path. was expecting it Patterson to catch

him. I think he put his leg out for protection. The pictures bowl the

Great, let's be honest. There was no intent to hurt her more kick him

in the face. When he realises he's made contact, he pulls his leg in.

Fortunately he did not get hurt. If he had done it, he would have

kicked his head off. Dundee usually beat Hearts. Yes, we have been

lucky. Hearts have one of the best defensive records in the league, a

very experienced back four. They are very hard to break down. It is

not at the defensive deficiencies that there at the bottom of the

table. They are not scoring enough goals. It could not be tighter at

the top, five points between the top seven. Celtic ahead of Aberdeen,

men Hibernian. Four points in it at the bottom. Midweek fixtures, five

the bottom. Midweek fixtures, five matches. Heart of Midlothian place

Celtic. Comprehensive coverage on Then it is the 4th round of the

Scottish Cup next weekend. The Highland derby is live on BBC One