26/02/2012 Sportscene

For Celtic, the title countdown continues. For Rangers, the painful

process of job cuts is days away. For some, the European dream

beckons. For others, survival is at stake. The latest SPL action is

coming your way. And Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan is here.

His team were at Celtic Park yesterday after both were Wednesday

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Neil Lennon with the luxury of He was brave. It has gone quiet

around Celtic Park. The home support is waiting patiently for a

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the main stand. Motherwell under Randolph. He sensed the danger and

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minutes from time to ask any You were on the bench and had a

good look at the game. Were Motherwell happy because you are

competitive at Celtic Park or frustrated because can --

creatively you didn't do enough? There is a fine line. You have to

find a balance between keeping in the game as long as you can.

Sometimes it's detrimental with regards to your attacking play. We

kept the ball, and tapped things over but the last two times we have

been to Celtic Park we have lost 5- 0 and 4-0. When you miss the

creative spark, the players scored 19 goals in the last few games,

Celtic are tough to break down. Gary Hooper was getting stick at

times from Neil Lennon but then he pops up and does this. The back

Ford didn't really have a huge impact. They dig through the goal

but with regard open play and set pieces, the team defended well.

They are at Celtic Park and when a chance comes along, they are on

their toes and Hooper is just that. You can't afford to switch off.

They can't. They have worked hard and are doing well. I think the

all-round game was excellent and Hutchinson also. You have to ask

questions and keep possessions and the boy did that. The vital

statistics are impressive. 20 domestic wins in a row, a massive

turnaround taking into account the 10 point deduction for being in

administration. All that time without losing a goal. They have

even overtaken one of Martin O'Neill's records which is maybe an

ultimate plaudit. The whole perception of him as a manager has

changed, hasn't it? Yes. Way he has come from as the manager, taking on

a big job, it must be the hardest gig ever. As a former player he has

things to live up to. He has grown into the job, looked more relaxed

and I think he has a good balance in the squad. They are valuable and

he could sell them on but they are hungry and want to do well. All is

looking good for him. Charlie Mulgrew is in the squad. What a

week he has had. The armband yesterday. He goes from strength to

strength. When he signed 18 months ago, some people raise their

eyebrows but he has been given an opportunity to express himself and

progress his career at Celtic. Not many players get the opportunity to

come back but he did and he has grasped it, playing left midfield

and testament to him, he has been called up for Scotland. He can make

passes and set up attacks. Credit to him. Is he a contender for

Player of the season? He has to be. There is not a real stand-out this

year. No one has scored up to 30 or 35 goals. Johnny has built up into

it. Yesterday was disappointing for Motherwell. Up until then, unbeaten

in seven. Some good wins and building up a head of steam in

getting close to Rangers. Yes, vital wins. There was a sticky

spell at the start of January. Hearts over to focus and St

Johnstone close the gap. We have played St Johnstone and beat them

at home and Hearts at home and Hibs in the week. With two games and

hand in the start if -- at the start to Janet, we won them both.

There is a spark at the right time. He has lifted the supporters.

it the day and today cooled the Champions League tat? That was

everyone else asking questions. They have played themselves into

the position where people will ask that question. It is right to ask

us is the Champions League possible. We have had banter about it but our

first rain -- aim is top six. crisis-hit Rangers kicked off in

Inverness today 23 points adrift of Celtic and only three ahead of

Motherwell. Ally McCoist & Co looking to bounce back from their

first Ibrox defeat of the SPL fans so then -- show their

solidarity with the club. An early Billy MacKay was included from the

start as well. Troubled Rangers had so disappointing defeat at home to

the touch. Just the start Rangers would have wanted. Particularly

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Little. The angle was against him. But he beat biggy -- goalkeeper at

Here is Williams with the header. there. A deep bolt from Sone Aluko.

Off the line. -- deep ball. Inverness survived for now you. It

was headed off the line. Good play from Little. He checks that he is

on side and McCulloch celebrates on side and McCulloch celebrates

on his face. Just keeping ate end. It is away from Perry. That is a

good ball. McGregor was offside. -- he was offside, McGregor was not to

know that. McGregor denied him. Not the best of afternoons for Terry

Butcher. Not a great corner kick. The ball bounces on the other side

of the bar. Cleared away. Let's take another look. That looks like

it was over the line, should have Was the shock factor is still very

much involved seven days ago? Looking at today's performance and

result you could probably say yes. It would be interesting to know how

much they trained before last week's game. There was so much

going on at Ibrox. I just wonder how much they trained and how much

focus was on the Kilmarnock game. That is not taking anything away

from Kilmarnock. I think Rangers will have been glad to get last

Saturday out of the way. After today's result I think everyone

feels better. Sami Turk has been around that Rangers for a while and

he did not do himself any harm. seems to have been a cult hero at

Ibrox and he has only played here and there. Today he got his first

start and an opportunity to show what he is all about. Having had a

hand in a few of the goals he showed he can be a useful player.

If he can do it in upcoming games there could be an opportunity for

him to stay. Also an important time for and the little in terms of

proving his value at this crucial moment. -- Andy Little. Today was

an opportunity to express themselves. Author of those players

did a good job today. -- both of those. That man today gave Rangers

a little bit extra. I suppose Rangers will find out in the middle

of the week how the administrator plans to make savings. What route

will be going down, will it be big earners or fringe players who are

not going to damage the crowd? think they will give Ally McCoist a

figure he has to work to to get a squad on the pitch and it is then

up to 10 to decide which players go home. He is the one who has signed

them and given them contracts and he will have to face them and say

it is time to go. They have a difficult few days ahead. We have

the highlights of the match at Perth. St Johnstone verses

Dunfermline looked good for us and Johnston. -- for St Johnstone.

Murray Davidson almost got his head to this one. St Johnstone would

keep knocking at the Dunfermline door. Lee Croft back in the

starting line-up. His header saw Murray Davidson arrive at just the

right time. His first SPL goal of the season. Two minutes later at St

Johnstone were setting about Dunfermline again. This was a touch

of real skill. A breathtaking pass from the Spaniard and Callum

Davidson with the goal. This is his second spell at the club. His last

St Johnstone goal was in January 1998. Into the second half and St

Johnstone continued to look bright and dangerous. Lee Croft showed

that the or only way was towards the goal of Dunfermline. Could

Dunfermline give their fans any sort of hope? They were very much

second best but in the 73rd minute Paul Burns tried his luck and hit

the back of the net from the range. But just five minutes later, a fine

display of pace and power from Lee Croft and a brilliant finish pretty

much finished this game as a contest. This was his second St

Johnstone goal. A worrying lack of fight from MacIntyre's side. When

Kelly in Sheridan rocked Boston can it look like things might finish

differently. It ended 3-1. Certainly they are in the frame for

a European place. That is a credit to the job Steve Lomas has done.

think that is key. When he took over the role as and Johnston were

on a good run. I think the fact that he has not changed much is

credit to them. He has worked away and kept the players playing. He

has picked up some good results and to be sitting in 4th, I think he

said himself that budget wise they should not be where they are. I

think it is testament to the manager. The three shots of the

Post showed, as there as a very vibrant and alive Leighs and

Johnstone side, that Dunfermline were pretty awful yesterday. Their

own managers suggested after the match that their effort was not

there. It is tough. When you are losing games sometimes players look

around each other for inspiration. The manager will be trying to get

the message across that someone has got to grab the game by the scruff

of the neck and lead the team on. It is a tough spell for them. They

are only three points behind Hibs. I think they stand a great chance.

And now let's see Hibs chance at getting themselves away from the

finish! It is his first goal for Hibs. He finishes really well. He

cracked it past the keeper. Hibs have been struggling in the SPL,

they are now ahead. It is coupled end and clipped the crossbar. A

lovely effort. It was bending down but just not enough. Behind here

Hibs move forward. Griffiths has a chance for a 2-0. He did not get

enough power on it. Bail was able to recover. -- bell. The ball pools

back into the box. A simple header away. That is brilliant from

defects. Bail with the saved again. -- Bell. Great control by the Hibs

player. It is a good save. breaks down to O'Donovan who finds

the top corner at the start of the second half. The Hibs fans are

delighted. It is a first Hibs goal for Roy O'Donovan. He found the top

for Roy O'Donovan. He found the top corner past the stretching keeper.

Up off the line. Excellent play from Nelson. The defender was there.

Griffiths has been at the heart of things for Hibs today. That is

deflected. Tom Sawyers is there and it is three. The lead by three

goals to nil. A great finish. Farm were realised the danger but he was

made to pay. Two very unhappy Irishmen. Shiels loses out. Pushed

back by Doyle. It is a pretext. Shiels was taken out. -- it is a

free-kick. Shiels! Great finish! This may only be a consolation but

that his great skill. He curled it all the way. The keeper had little

chance. Out wide. Kilmarnock still trying to attack as the ball comes

across. It is sent behind. Maybe a push in the middle as the header

was deflected. Kilmarnock saving their best for last. A sliding

challenge. Once again the ball flicked forward. It came back to

Wilson. There were a few shouts for a penalty as it was flicked across.

These two are clearly disagreeing. There might have been a little bump

in the back but the referee was clearly satisfied. Hibs scored

three goals at Rugby Park on Wednesday night but they did not

get anything from that game. Yesterday defensively the look a

whole lot tighter. -- they looked. Yesterday was a huge game for them.

To see what kind of character of the team has. Maybe the Hibs fans

and players will tell you they have been lacking a little bit this

season. The league table does not lie but sometimes you just need

something to change your fortunes and maybe that has just done it for

them. Two players scoring their first Hibs goals. It was

interesting to look at the line-up yesterday and the number of new

players. Six of the starting 11 brought in on loan or on new deals.

If you add Leigh Griffiths whose loan was extended, that is seven

out of 11. On the evidence of yesterday, it is starting to work?

It is a tough time to bring two players in never mind seven to your

first 11. Part of me will be hoping that yesterday is something to

build on. The manager will be trying to build more. He will be

hoping things started yesterday with that good result and they can

push on from here. We did wonder if money might be the difference

between Hibs and Dunfermline. Hibs ability to pay wages with Sawers

coming on loan from the Premier League for example. There are

constraints and now the Scottish Cup has that as well. There was no

point in bringing someone in if they did not have the money but

bringing in players to carry a threat and can do something

different, sometimes in January or in any window when you can bring a

player in can give you the spark to do something special. People have

always been saying they are too good and can climb away but up

until yesterday the results had not been good enough. People thought

that Hibs were a good club and needed to win games. The first

match of the SPL weekend wear in Paisley with St Mirren and Aberdeen.

-- was in Paisley. Had that been on target! Sampson is rooted to the

spot! Good effort from the Icelander. It is bought through.

Good play between the two Aberdeen youngsters. This man made a good

run. They have had four 0-0 goals in their last five games. They earn

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and two Jack, the flag is up! That winner in July and Ian Paisley has

done it again. What a pass from 6th of the season. -- Hasselbaink

minute Aberdeen are back on level terms. Scott Vernon so deadly from

either team any good as far as the top six are concerned. A handful of

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were 55 goalless minutes and two came along at once. This shows what

saying Merryn are good at - passing play and a wonderful thing this by

Hasselbaink. -- wonderful finish. He is good at body strength and the

last man using his pace. Aberdeen responded immediately. The way news

caught it is vital to make sure you have the ball away from your goal.

Unfortunately, they couldn't get it clear up. Vernon always scores

goals. At times he plays on his own but here he comes up and get a

point. Aberdeen had been to without a goal so it would have been

surprising if it had been goalless. A draw didn't suit any of them.

With five games left, they probably have to win the three or four to

get themselves in the top six. Both managers will be disappointed. They

will have to put a run together. There has probably been quite a lot

of that, just below the top six and teams cancelling themselves out and

getting nowhere. That is the SPL. Yesterday, at Aberdeen got back but

the amount of games where the team's cause first and become hard

to break down, that is what the League is about. Sometimes it can

be difficult to pick up points. Scott then and's goal rescued a

point for Aberdeen. He is well on the way to scoring all sorts of

gulls and he gets an end product. He does. His movement is good as

well. Here he is always on the end of things and anticipating things.

As a striker, you can gamble and try to get yourself in position.

I'm sure Craig would like a bit more support. They still could be

the difference between Aberdeen at making the top six. When you score

goals, you have to put up points but he will be disappointed other

people haven't chipped in. Dundee Utd were looking to maintain

momentum after their midweek the lead. Rankin scores. That is 4-

Dundee United but it was Hearts who began brightly at Tynecastle

Stadium. With just the one point from the last four games, Hearts

were trying to shrug off the lake is -- lethargy. Steven Elliott had

a great chance but the shot was straight at the keeper. From a well

off floodlit corner, Gunning's deflected header produced a fine

save. What Donald did well. Peter Hughes done's side not quite at

their best and Hearts were perhaps the better. But then judge -- Jon

Daly put a them 1-0 in front. His 70th goal of the season. Losing a

couple of players to injury didn't there. The boot of Gavin Gunning

eventually denied Stephen Elliott. Frustrating for heart and it would

get worse five minutes from time with Gunning with the goal. Jon

Daly and a real threat from the dead-ball situations. The three

points were heading north as the Hearts than -- Hearts fans headed

for the exit. It was very nearly 3- 0. But 2-0 is how it ended end

United is up to 5th and Hearts slipped to 6th.

A great month for Dundee United and it was all spiked far -- by the

Scottish Cup win at Ibrox. Peter would probably tell you that it

will take his -- has taken his side longer to gel. Rankin got a goal.

There is no coincidence that teams play well when their top players

are on form. Foray man whose job was in jeopardy, Houston has really

rebuild the team well. He lost so many big players over the summer.

It takes a while to gel for a team and he is trying to get in a few

players in a few months. Football can be fickle and you have to share

pace since and loyalty. Hearts were third not so very long ago. They it

over to cure team. What a slump from their one point of a possible

15. Now they look like they are struggling. It has been turbulent

for them. All the talk of players leaving and the financial trouble.

They didn't have a great run of form. They pushed themselves and

for some reason they seem to have changed. They didn't lose as many

players as people thought they would lose and they still have a

good attacking threat. It is surprising but, from being third

place -- third place to having to fight it could be a blow for them.

Dundee United are a factor in that as well. They hit form at the right

time. They have picked up points and are pushing on. They have to

play teams above them to gain even more points so it is in a good

position for them. A this is the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. The

20 point gap at the top Rhys Celtic having nine games to go. Motherwell

bottom. Next weekend looks like Action from five of those games