27/04/2014 Sportscene

Hello. It has been a weekend of staggering financial figures. The

death of a genuine Scottish football legend. Plus, the small matter of

six matches in the Scottish Premiership, each of them with a

real edge. It is turning into a hugely exciting and dramatic end to

the season. With us to review the latest

instalment, Pat Nevin and the former Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

And it is the Edinburgh derby we start with. A huge match, this.

Hearts already relegated, but arguably the form team of the bottom

six, and desperate to drag Hibs closer to the play-off spot. Not

outwith the realms of possibility that the next Edinburgh derby could

take place in the Championship, particularly given the contrasting

fortunes since the last meeting four weeks ago.

A derby win for Hearts. 30 years in the top flight is officially over

for Hearts. The future of Hearts appears more

secure at a major step The future of Hearts appears more

entering into Administration. We are 90% of the way. Somebody has

lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.

Hibs or moving on to nine games without a win.

We will fight. We have a big derby. Terry Butcher rings in the changes

as Hearts look to bounce back from several defeats in a row.

Brad Mackay is on the key to drop out of Hearts, Wilson back from

suspension. -- is unlucky. The much preceded by a minute's

Applause for Margo MacDonald, MSP, and for Hearts legend Sandy

Jardine. A terrible run of results for

Hearts, it is not happening for them -- for Hibs. Cummins has yet to

score for the club, the 18-year-old. Hearts or in great form, they could

score for the club, the 18-year-old. be the spoilers of the bottom six. A

header for Callum Paterson, a stunning moment towards half-time as

Hearts go in front and Callum Paterson sends Hibs into even more

bother. A 500th goal in an Edinburgh derby for Hibs. Hibs have had the

better chances but they find themselves behind yet again and that

is a free kick. That was harsh. Nicholson was all over his back. And

in again by Callum Paterson! It is scarcely believable! Hibs have had

the better opportunities and Callum Paterson has scored two in

the better opportunities and Callum minutes before half-time and the

Hibs funds are heading for the exit. Surely not a third before the break?

-- fans. That is a free kick to Hibs. Hearts shouting for handball

against Craig. Good play by Thomson. That has gone

for a corner. He does not score many, Kevin Thomson. A drop of the

shoulder. Still a lead for Hearts. Quickly done. This is the

substitute. Jordon Forster, it is game on!

Jordon Forster gives a lifeline to Hibs. In the Edinburgh derby. That

is a fantastic header, it shot past MacDonald. Hopes have been raised

for Hibs. Stanton. Danny Rose and did enough. Hearts

are in trouble. Collins! That should be 2-2. It has come to him very

quickly, James Collins, he is not expecting it. But he has to do

better than that! Just a couple of points separating

them, seventh and 11th, it is so tight. Ryan Stevenson, this would

kill it. No! And still Hibs art alive. They thought Stevenson was

offside! -- are alive. He played on, but it stays at two. Stoppage time.

Collins! What a save from Donald! There was a flag. This will not

register as a save but tremendous goalkeeping.

We had to dig in because Hibs put us under pressure, they got up on

second balls and made it hard. But you saw the team spirit, everybody

was fighting and putting their heads in and that is why we got three

points. A good effort from the players, hard work this week and in

the game today, the players were committed. We had two slack pieces

of marking that cost us dearly in a game we should have got something

from. Craig, you and every other Hearts

fan must have loved that. It was good, they are fighting to the end.

There is still plenty to fight for and they are trying to finish less

than 15 points behind Hibs, a good motivational factor until the end of

the season, so another good day. Callum Paterson. You used to be a

the season, so another good day. striker for Hearts, he is back

the season, so another good day. the goals against Ashley used to. He

looks natural in the air, and there was a comfort at the start. -- used

to be. At the start, Hibs were the better

side but you need to want to defend. It is a great ball and header, but

he wants it more than the defenders and on both occasions, it comes into

an area where if you do not win the ball, you have to take something.

They were clean headers. Hibs do not score many but Jordon Forster took

it well. Yes, Hearts is all over the place and he has two stop the

it well. Yes, Hearts is all over the and that leaves a hole in the

middle. De she has to stop. and that leaves a hole in the

attacks it so well. one winner.

Hibs cannot score one winner.

that. This is Collins. He can take this round the keeper.

that. This is Collins. He can take confident, he does not do that and

he is losing confidence like a confident, he does not do that and

of the players. If you have players like Anthony Stokes, he scored the

goal. That is the difference, it is two goals in 10.5 hours for Hibs and

both of those have come from losses so it is scary times. There was a

minute's Applause for Margo MacDonald and Sandy Jardine.

How well did you know him? You would meet him at Ibrox but remembered my

first meeting for Sandy Jardine, I played for Clyde and he was a great

player. City football and he put his arm round my shoulder and gave me

technical advice about why I should get closer to to him because if I

turned him, he would not get back. Why was he telling me that? Because

he was a classy guy, a classy player. He said, you have to be

going down South quite soon anyway, he wanted the best full Scottish

football. It did not matter if you were Hearts, a gentleman of the game

who cared about everybody else. A class act. Ross County began the

weekend second bottom in the play-off place. Anything other than

victory over Kilmarnock would see them stay there. And probably fair

to say most neutrals hoping for a County win, to further Stoke the

excitement at the bottom end of the table. There for us was Rob Maclean.

Ross County without the injured (. And a return after suspension. The

same Kilmarnock team that lost last weekend at home to Partick Thistle.

This buoyed looking to add to the goals he has called already this

season. -- Kris Boyd. A powerful run from Jordan Slew, still going and

season. -- Kris Boyd. A powerful run held back by Jeroen Tesselaar.

season. -- Kris Boyd. A powerful run He clearly polled at his shirt which

the thistles -- the officials He clearly polled at his shirt which

missed. -- pulled. The offence is clearly outside the box. Chasing the

goal, such an important day for both teams. That is Jordan Slew. And

Filip Kiss! He opens the scoring. For Ross County. His sixth goal for

the team. This could be very significant. The game needed a touch

of class and this was it. Guided in significant. The game needed a touch

by Filip Kiss. 1-0. A lovely pass from Graham Carey.

Ben Gordon. Richard Brittain. And the referee is pointing to the

penalty spot. Got this wrong, the referee is pointing to the

young centre back. A knee the referee is pointing to the

moment in Ross County's season. And Richard Brittain gets the job done.

2-0, Ross County. The substitute. Headed away. In four

are McKenzie, missed by Scott Boyd. -- in from. Not missed by Kris Boyd

who has scored again against Ross County and it brings the game back

to life for County and it brings the game back

from time. McKenzie's cross was misjudged. Kris Boyd in for 2-1. Can

Allan Johnston's team strike again? A corner. A free header. It is

turned around the post by the keeper, Mark Brown. The up and under

from Richard Brittain. Turns away from Ashcroft. The shot is

deflected! A great save, Ross County would love a third goal. It looks as

if 2-1 will be enough. That final pass was missing today.

Polity crosses in the box -- quality crosses. Lacking that. We have shown

we can play big games and give big performances and today was a big

game and a big performance. A great win for Ross County. Jordan

Slew is interesting, he has got no goals, 17 appearances, but he does

make things happen. Yes, he seems quite unpredictable and quite

ungainly at times. He is a big presence and awkward to play

against. He has travelled a long way and he gets a couple of shots and

should have got a foul, just outside the box. He plays a nice pass here

so he is contributing to the team. He is setting up goals, that is a

good strike, so definitely contributing in other areas.

A much-needed result for Ross County, how worried should

Kilmarnock fans be? In the end it is Kris Boyd, if he scores and keeps on

scoring goals they have a good chance to get out of it. Fortunately

they have got Kris Boyd because they are other teams who do not have

goal-scorers. He is capable of dragging them to where they need to

be, but only just. I'd macro a very tense and wet evening at Firhill in

Glasgow. Both sides with a spring in their steps.

The Lisney Smith. Back with Higginbotham. -- there is me Smith.

Kris Doolan. He heads Thistle in front with his 10th goal of the

season. He will be first to acknowledge what Higginbotham did.

He was audacious and managed to get himself away from his marker to head

the ball in. It is 1-0. Kelly's cross helped on by Thomson. Indigo

's Naismith, down goes me Smith, penalty given. This will not happy

with Calum Murray but he reckoned there was enough of a push from

Higginbotham on me Smith to award the spot kick right on half-time. It

is Kenny McLean and he stayed high school to side foot in his seventh

goal of the season. It school to side foot in his seventh

important for St Mirren who have school to side foot in his seventh

that they will go in in the interval all is we are. Josh Magennis

powering his way forward. It is McQueen and it is off the post.

powering his way forward. It is Kenny McLean could have turned this

game completely on its head. Kenny McLean could have turned this

Wonderful technique, just off target. Kelly, Higginbotham, cleared

by McCausland. Straight back for Gary Fraser. In four peeler. On side

and that is back off of the bar. The looping header almost catching out

the goalkeeper. It was a very soft penalty. He had maybe nudged him. I

have got penalty. He had maybe nudged him. I

praise to my players in terms of going one goal down away from home

and in terms of the character to get back in the game speaks volumes of

the team spirit there is at the moment.

Just two points separate the teams fighting the play off spots. Let's

look at the last six results in terms of those sides. Hearts are

very much the boring team in care of those results and Hibernian are at

the very bottom. Can you see Hibernian finishing second bottom?

Yes. They are not scoring goals, they are -11 for the last seven

games. It does not look very good for them at all. They can only hope

that somewhere along the line they can pick up a point to pool

something out of the bag. Let's look at those last remaining games. It

does make for interesting reading. Will it go all be read to the wire?

I will be surprised. If you had asked me a couple of weeks ago I

would have said look at the 10th of May, Partick Thistle and Ross

County. I am now looking at Hibernian and Kilmarnock. Hibernian

do not have any momentum just now. The two teams with the coolest form

in the last couple of games, I am almost certain it will be down to

the last week. It is not happening for Hibernian at the moment, I will

be get out of it? The manager says he is confirmed -- convinced they

will stay up but are you? I am not. The negative is that there is no

great creativity in the team and no obvious goal-scorer, those are two

things you need at this stage of the season. They are the team who do not

seem to have one player to get them out. Let's get away from all this

doom and gloom and talk awards. They were held this evening in Glasgow,

the ones voted for by the players and managers in the Scottish senior

game. The player of the year is Kris Commons. 26 goals this season. The

young player of the year was Andrew Robertson. Playing at amateur level

with Queens Park and then the United, making his Scotland debut.

And this is the manager, his team may well finish second in the

Premiership this season. There was a merit award for Frank McEwan, he is

the firefighter. The race for Europe remains very much alive. Aberdeen

still with plenty to do to seal their place as runners up in the

Premiership. They have just one win in their last six games but St

Johnstone have a sturdiness around them just now.

They have won five out of their last six matches. Robertson has given it

straight to Stevie May, a chance force and Johnston and Stevie May

does not miss that. Eight minutes played, St Johnstone in front and

Stevie May punishes Clark Robertson with his 27th goal of the season.

The corner breaks away. A solid chance from Adam Rooney. The date

for Ryan Jack. Back to Anderson. Willo Flood. Chris Millar. He has

given Willo Flood. Chris Millar. He has

the chance for an equaliser. Another defensive mistake proves costly,

this time for the visitors. Bruni accepts the opportunity. -- Bruni.

-- Rooney. The Gtech and there is McManus. He had to deal with that

one. He's again with the corner. Clark Robertson up for the set piece

trying to make amends for his earlier error. Logan. Reynolds

decides to go back the way. Jamie Langfield! Dear oh dear, what the

howling mistake by Langfield, almost allowing it to run into his own net.

Croft with the corner and Steven Anderson this time up there going

Croft with the corner and Steven close. Robson. No Logan. Is this the

chance for a winner? It is he is. Nick Manas again there to keep out

the home side. Acrobatics there from Jonny Hayes. The ball nearly went in

and there was a great header almost hitting the back of the net but

overall a draw was a fair result. It was not our best performance but it

is important to pick up points. That might well prove to be a big point

for us going forward. I am not sure we can blame the North Sea are for

those terrible back passes in the game. What goes through your mind

when you see passes like that? When Jonny Hayes gets into that position

you are expecting him to hit the back of the net. I am not sure if

Adam Rooney had looked around him but you do not see many finishes

like that. The good things here is he got wide of his post. That was

one hell of a bobble. I think goalkeepers are getting nervous.

They are under pressure. To be honest, there were two great through

balls during that game. Who would you have gone for in the manager of

the year? I think Neil Lennon is doing fantastic for Celtic. I think

he will be disappointed. At the same time, Derek has got the best out of

Aberdeen and got the cup they have waited so long for. I think it would

have been close between those two. The Young player of the year has

been fantastic, playing for Queens Park and Scotland. Surprise that

Stevie May did not win it? I am. Certainty that Stevie May had to be

in the running. I think when the votes came he was having a dip. He

can count himself unlucky and Kris Commons, no surprise there. For

Motherwell to improve their chances yesterday they had to do something

they had not managed all week and beat in the United. -- then the

United. There is applause for a member of

the Dundee United Hall of Fame who has passed away. Hamill has given

the ball away. Check G, Armstrong, away from McManus. He opens up to

Cifci. Nadir Ciftci. Armstrong set it up,

Nadir Ciftci finished. United are flowing at the moment.

Nadir Ciftci. Outrageous, a chance. The goalkeeper is out muscled. Nadir

Ciftci rightly gets a lot of press and coverage for his goals but his

passing is wonderful. Motherwell cannot link up, Stuart

Armstrong. Nadir Ciftci to the side. A chance for Nadir Ciftci. Nielsen

with a save. Armstrong and Nadir Ciftci working their magic again

almost. A chance for Motherwell. That has rolled out onto Keith

Watson to start the attack. A little short. Watson might get it back. Out

wide, chasing it is Armstrong, into the middle. Nadir Ciftci! 2-1.

Brilliant again from Dundee United. They moved the ball

Brilliant again from Dundee United. sweetly. Armstrong opened up the

foot and trickled it into the corner and it is a double for Nadir Ciftci.

A long throw. It will fall for Keith Lasley. It should have been 2-1.

What a chance for Keith Lasley! To bring Motherwell back into the game.

It is long, McManus has to be careful, that will not go back to

his goalkeeper. He is under pressure. There was a hold on the

jersey. The referee says, no penalty. There certainly was

Nadir Ciftci again. A chance for something.

Nadir Ciftci again. A chance for Armstrong! And he scores! He set up

the first two goals and he helps himself to one here, he outpaced

Shaun Hutchinson who has got good speed. Armstrong did the rest.

Brilliant from Ryan Dow. United three ahead.

When they are on form, Dundee United are simply irresistible and here

they go again. A chance for Ryan Dow. Nadir Ciftci goes in. Nielsen

got a touch. No penalty is given, Nadir Ciftci cracked it in, he is

looking for a hat. -- a hat-trick. Armstrong again. No answer to United

this afternoon from Motherwell. A chance for four, it is four! They

are slicing through Motherwell and with 18 minutes, a fourth goal of

the season for this player. Great all to stop the pass. The

goalkeeper, no chance. -- great ball. That came off Armstrong.

Ainsworth, he ball. That came off Armstrong.

Robertson. A chance here for Graham! It is five! Dundee United have five

goals for the third time this season and the ball into -- the ball in

behind the defence and the strikers have done the rest, straight down

behind the defence and the strikers the middle. Brian Graham gets on the

scoresheet. Lionel Ainsworth, away from his man,

it has taken a deflection. Lionel Ainsworth, away from his man,

solitary spot Lionel Ainsworth, away from his man,

A very impressive Dundee United A very impressive Dundee United

four games, so a great A very impressive Dundee United

the back of a disappointing A very impressive Dundee United

performance last week. The boys responded well in training this

week. It is frustrating because we put in

such a strong performance last week and the majority of the season. We

were not good enough today. Every aspect of the game, they were far

better. I get accused of gushing about

Dundee United but they were superb yesterday and Motherwell cannot

handle them. There are lots of reasons. Look at

this, the ball comes up, Armstrong knows Nadir Ciftci is a good player

and he keeps running. You know if there good players around you, you

can take a chance they will do something special, and that was a

special finish. Armstrong thinks, he is going to backheel that, I will

get in there. Other teams, you are waiting to see what will happen.

They trust their team-mates to have quality. When they played their

best, they are unstoppable, it could have been six, seven.

You feel Jackie McNamara is them freedom to play. Players like Nadir

Ciftci, clearly enjoying themselves. He is the linchpin holding

everything together. He is the main focal point. He allows so many

others to get forward. That is him making the pass. He brings other

people into play, it is not just goal-scoring, it is the support and

pace, that is the reason Motherwell could not handle the pace. It could

have been any score. Three Dundee United players

nominated for the player of the year award today. Andrew Robertson won

the award. A lot of young players have come and gone, are these the

real deal? They can be but it is about what happens next. I really do

hope. I understand a lot of people go down South like I did when I was

18, 19, but they need to learn up here, get first team for all --

first-team football. They will not be as wealthy but a well be better

players. Too many players have left Scotland to early and they get lost

down there. Still great players but a couple more years up here. Could

you still see Motherwell finishing second?

It is looking more difficult. It is still possible but I cannot see

Aberdeen dropping enough points to allow them back. But they have

enough to keep going and they have to hope they can close the gap and

for Aberdeen to throw it away. The last match of the show was also

the last match of the weekend. The champions Celtic had wrapped up the

title weeks ago, but Neil Lennon's side still hopeful of breaking the

100-point barrier. As for Inverness, they still had faint hopes of a

European spot, but the last time they were at Celtic Park, they were

thrashed 5-0. Both these clubs drew last week.

Three changes for Celtic and for Caledonian Thistle. Nick Ross makes

his first start in eight games. Always a threat coming forward.

Griffith initially thought there was a handball -- Leigh Griffiths. The

ball breaks back, a good touch round the post. They will be leaving

Celtic Park in the summer. Anthony Stokes, and the opening goal for

Celtic. Anthony Stokes, five goals in his last five games. A simple

header poorly defended by Caley Thistle. Jon Hughes will not be

happy with the loss of the opening goal. -- John Hughes. A good save at

the post ID in Braille. Adam Matthews in the last three games. --

by Adam Rhyl. -- Brill. Good control, Stokes gets

there! On the stroke of half-time, Celtic make it 2-0. Beautifully

taken down by Leigh Griffiths. Commons could not get to it. Tucked

away by Anthony Stokes. Leigh Griffiths showing his quality

already. Anthony Stokes taking the chances.

That was not easy. The referee says, penalty. Caley Thistle did not look

to have much contact. The referee says it is a penalty. Looking for

his second hat-trick of the season. Anthony Stokes. Not normally on

penalty duties. But when a hat-trick calls, you do not pass up the

chance. Caley Thistle, two wins in the last

eight matches since they played Celtic. The challenge by Virgil van

Dijk and the penalty has been given. Fraser Forster complains. Mackay

moves away from goal, not much in it for me. A poor penalty. Credit to

the goalkeeper for the save. It did not have pace or precision. It takes

more than that to beat Fraser Forster.

Virgil van Dijk, closed down. Billy McKay wants it in the middle, a

chance for Caley Thistle. Fraser Forster has been there this season.

Another decent save. Billy McKay hits this well, a good save. Celtic

still unbeaten at home in the league this season. I want to get to 100

points. Anthony Stokes wants it of golf. -- they want to get. That is a

decent ball. -- Anthony Stokes once another goal.

Stokes found space and he quipped it. Leigh Griffiths had all the time

in the world. -- clipped it. Celtic have been impressive. Anthony

Stokes with the hat-trick. He could set up Leigh Griffiths. 4-0. A

hat-trick by Leigh Griffiths. And in the finish. He gives the credit to

Anthony Stokes. A great run, ambitious. It worked for him.

Position in the pass. The finish was perfect. -- precision.

John Hughes is unhappy, he has every reason to be. The header from Efe

Ambrose. Celtic get five. A great finish. A lovely somersault from Efe

Ambrose! Kris Commons across it. Efe Ambrose tucked it in the corner.

The sides last met in March, 5-0 today. Celtic come forward today

again. And he gets on the scoresheet! Celtic get six. On

course for the biggest league win of the season. Not

course for the biggest league win of the league itself. He put that away.

When you give the ball away cheap, big put you wide open and that is

what happened. You have to learn from it, it is not acceptable,

bitterly disappointed, but we have games coming up that we can get act

to winning ways. Some people have individual targets,

Anthony Stokes for 20 goals. Kris Commons, 30. 91 goals this season.

They are still putting in the effort for that.

A superb somersault from Efe Ambrose. Neil Lennon talking about

targets. A great hat-trick today. Ambrose. Neil Lennon talking about

These are big shoes to fill. Along with the understanding he is getting

with Leigh Griffiths, there was a great understanding with him and

Anthony Stokes. Kris Commons as well. Slightly less pressure on them

that their well. Slightly less pressure on them

screw holes. So you do not need to well. Slightly less pressure on them

score over time. -- score goals. That helps, Leigh Griffiths will

remember that. He could have had a shot and he could have been greedy

but he played the correct ball, he has been super this season.

Difficult for Inverness. A sense they have tailed off slightly but

have they exceeded expectations this season?

Yes, they have done all right. It is a transitional period. John Hughes

is trying to change their style of play to play out from the back, they

got caught today and they will learn from that. Hopefully it will stand

them in good stead for next season and they can use the experienced of

the last couple of weeks for next season. -- the experience.

Neil Lennon was nominated for manager of the year. Reports today

he was on the short list for the Norwich City job. How would you see

that? I cannot imagine he would imagine

going to Norwich if they go down and there is a good chance of that. I

think Neil Lennon can get a really good job in England. What has

happened to David Moyes has had a negative effect. Why leave Celtic

just now? I do not think you should because there are other things they

can do. There is a really good argument he has done so well this

season, and 72 is the goal difference. Maybe at least one more

season Neil Lennon has to stay and he was in the running for manager of

the year but he did not get it. And after that stonking win, Celtic

very much keep alive their hope of finishing the season with over 100

points. They could also hit the 100-goals total!

The race for the second and third European spots remains alive, after

Aberdeen could only draw with St Johnstone and Motherwell were

thumped by Dundee United. And we have already had a look at the

bottom six, but how tight is that? Two points separating five teams.

It promises to be a fantastically dramatic end to the Scottish

Premiership season. But sometimes, football needs put in perspective.

Sandy Jardine was a true legend of the Scottish game. He will be hugely

missed. From all of us here, goodnight.

Sandy Jardine has had the match of his life!

One each! Sandy Jardine! You've become an Eeyore.

And you've got to be a Tigger.