27/11/2011 Sportscene

Rumours that Rangers have the title in the bag may have been greatly

exaggerated. On the evidence of the last couple of weeks, at Celtic's

challenge is very much alive. I am joined by the man who put the

squiggle into Scottish football. have been practising hitting 40

yards squiggles. The ball broke to me and I thought I would have a

crack. I thought, just hit it. was 45 yards! To be fair, it did

squiggle. Dundee United midfielder John Rankin is here. First, the

action from Rugby Park. When Rangers were last at Kilmarnock

they clinched their third title on Looking for another one, he might

get it. Lafferty. Nikica Jelavic. Laverty get sick. It is fired on

title bait. There was a double boost for Kilmarnock, keeper Cammy

Bell back after being injured. And Paul Heffeman past and injury test.

The leaders were without Carlos perfect connection. It went into

the arms of Cammy Bell. Nikica penalty. He looked to be off

second shot away. It was a difficult one for the goalkeeper,

bit clumsy. McCulloch eventually Gary Harkins just lacking a little

moment. Kilmarnock still trying to come forward. Manuel Pascali was

McGregor to deny Paul Heffeman. Great play in the midfield from

Kilmarnock. Paul Heffeman was onside. He thought he slipped it

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 60 seconds

Ally McCoist. Manuel Pascali was there and onside. With 10 minutes

to play he has given Kilmarnock the lead. It looks like Sonic Aluko was

slow to come out. The back-header was clever. Allan McGregor had no

chance. -- Sone Aluko. 30 matches Rangers have come here in the SPL

and they had left with 30 unbeaten. desperate now. He was onside, the

left-back played him on, but it was Where come on it worth it? I think

they were well worth the win. They played some good football and

deserved to win. I think Sone Aluko should have come out earlier. It is

his first competitive game for a number of months and maybe he was

not physically tired, but switched off and he did not step out quick

enough. They benefited from it. Kilmarnock had other chances.

I do not think that is a penalty. Are you changing your mind? I do

not think it is a penalty, there is no pull on the shirt. Then Nikica

Jelavic with his header off the bar. This was Paul Heffeman who did not

do too much wrong. It is a great save. MacGregor comes out and

spreads himself so well. Do you reckon that the lack of matches

might have had an impact here on what Sone Aluko did not do? Yes, it

is not so much physically tired, it is more mentally. He switched off

and his concentration went and it cost them the goal. It ends up

being a nightmare debut was Sony Aluko. It could have been a dream

debut when you look at what he did in attack. He was involved in

Rangers' better moments. He was involved in some great chances.

What about this? I do not think it is a penalty. I think Danny Racci

is a bit clumsy. It catches Sony Aluko's tone. This is magnificent

defending from Fowler. He was unfortunate to hit the back post.

It is into a great area. Anything could happen. He was so unfortunate.

It landed safely for Kilmarnock. This was a big chance near the end

for at Rangers to get something. Alejandro Bedoya. He did not make a

good job of this. It is a great touch, but I think he tried to go

across the goalkeeper, but he hits it straight at him. Ally McCoist

was critical of Rangers' attitude today. Could you see that in the

way they played? Obviously they came off the back of a

disappointing home draw last became. It was disappointing last weekend,

but I felt Kilmarnock did very well today. They passed the ball very

well. Maybe their style of play suits them to play against Rangers.

Kilmarnock have got some great footballers and they played a nice,

passing routines today. It is their first home win against Rangers

since 1994. Let's see how Dundee United got on against Motherwell,

one of the teams of the season. game a permanent memorial to Phil

O'Donnell. A former captain died four years ago aged just 35. He

continues to be an inspiration to those employed at Fir Park and

Motherwell continued their inspirational season. There was an

early half-chance. Like most places in Scotland yesterday it was

blowing a gale and United were blowing a sigh of relief. But the

whistle had sounded and it was ruled out by the assistant referee.

The ball had gone just out of play. Dundee United were looking to

follow up last weekend's victory over Hearts. John Rankin with a

shot. The slightest of deflections off the boot of Johnnie Russell not

enough to deceive the Motherwell keeper. By a terrible bit of

defending from John Hutchinson gave Jon Daly a big chance to score.

Again a fine save from the United skipper. In the second have a great

chance for Motherwell. Hutchinson with a header which he should have

scored. Then there was a counter attack for United. He was just cut

down by Steve Jennings in the nick of time. The Motherwell midfielder

with a vital intervention. In the swirling conditions John Rankin

tried as squiggle to break the deadlock, but not quite enough

It was not great, John, was it? Both managers reckon that should

not have gone ahead. Was it that bad? I think yesterday was a great

advert for summer football. Yesterday two corners came in and

they came straight out. The wind caught it and took it straight back

out. It was a nightmare at times, the weather, but what can you do?

We have got to get on with it. to page 27 of the Book of excuses.

Why is it worse at Fir Park? think because of the gaps in the

stands. The wind is coming in and it was swirling. It had no way to

get out and it was going back down the other side. None of the players

could deal with it. They were judging it and when the ball

bounced the wind took it and it would be away again. You are not

complaining about a point away from home especially at Motherwell.

they came to Tannadice and played some great football. It was great

for us to get a point yesterday, especially going to such a

difficult place as Fir Park. Let's have a look at the season in

graphic form which confirms what a great start United got off to. It

has been downwards since. I take it you do not see United as a bottom

We have been unfortunate on some occasions this season. We were

speaking about it before the game, we were the highest scorers outside

the old Firm. Albeit we have been conceding a lot of silly goals, but

we have tightened up recently. After the Aberdeen game, the

manager had asked watching be DVD, and since then, we have tightened

up the defence. And my right in thinking you have not squiggles

recently? It has been a while. I was quite close yesterday, but

unfortunately, so far not. It will hopefully come soon. It did not

move enough to trouble the keeper. This is the real thing. I can tell

the grandchildren about that in years to come. It thought it was

good to be a substitution. You had better get back to it soon.

A new Hibs manager Pat Fenlon, and for son Justin, steam -- Steve

Lomas, the first home game as Lomas, the first home game as

right. Davidson. Anderson. Good kick from Richie Towell. Bobby

Davison prevented the chance to go fits. Off the backside of Andersen.

Richie Towell on the follow up. Richie Towell on his second loan

spell with Hibs, scores of the first time. -- for the first time.

Keeper gets the touch. Murray Davidson. Willie Davidson came

close there. He returns it. Sandaza chasing. Sandaza, of the post. It

had come to a tense, but Sandaza equalises for St Johnstone. Sandaza

or beats the goalkeeper but it fell back to him, with seven minutes to

half-time, St Johnstone level. The centre half light to rumble forward.

Stevenson. Deflected. Dave Mackay. St Johnstone have come from behind

to lead. Marcus Haber is the free kick. Davids and coming across,

Stevens coming out. -- Davidson. Terrific scoring record against

Hibs. Dave Mackay. 3-1 to St Johnstone. Craig was the danger,

but Dave Mackay came out and curled it in. The decline worked. -- E-

suspiciously like an offside position, inches away. St Johnstone,

Marcus Haber. Lost in that physical battle. Lovely back-heel. The

finish did not match the set-up. Beautifully done to give himself

space. Stephens wants his goalkeeper to come for it. Davidson.

Stevens gets in the way of Liam Craig. Turned away by David Stevens.

The goalkeeper spell that out. Mayhem ensued. O'Hanlon could get

there. His shot deflected. Searching for our way back into the

match. Get away from Mackay, of Red goes. -- over it goes. Lovely foot

work from heads. -- heads. He has got the pace, goes for it. Turns

Dave Mackay away. He could not hold it. Steve Lomas said there are

three points for his first home three points for his first home

game. Davidson was taken out, couldn't pass away.

Another bad day for Hibs, there have been plenty of them. Was Colin

Calderwood some and you thought was on the wrong movie? Are I think he

had a hard task. He had three months before to get any players,

and that he did, he had players who had not much experience. He had to

drum his on players in and then he had a bad start. He paid the price

for losing his job. The three goals yesterday, a great from St

Johnstone, they have had a great run of results. Steve Lomas,

looking at this from the heads point of view, poor defending, bad

concentration, not enough resilience. I think if you asked

David Stevens, he would probably have put that in the stand. Butty

thought he was going to take it. He went to touch it with his back foot.

Dave Mackay, he stands a great ball up to the back post. Not much he

can do to defend that. It goes through stack's legs. Is this

slightly wind-assisted? I thought it was not far enough over. But

when you see it, the wind catches the ball and blows up a little bit.

Pat Fenlon was watching yesterday. This is his playing and managerial

record across the water. Decorated in terms of his management. Five

times a managerial winner in the leak of Ireland, Davis Cup

competitions as well. He was watching from the stand at

McDiarmid Park yesterday. Just because he has a winner in Ireland,

does that guarantees you can transfer that success to Scotland?

You are never guaranteed any success, but he has great

experience in Ireland and I am sure he will bring someone in for

Scotland that knows the Scottish game. I'm sure Pat Fenlon noses

Scottish players but I am sure there is some he has his eye on to

bring in and help them. Liam O'Brien was assistant at Shamrock

Rovers was there yesterday as well. I have seen Pat Fenlon Go Ahead

interview when he spoke about it, he was going to speak to Billy

Brown this morning and the rest of the staff on Monday. Pat wants to

come over here and be successful, he will bring his own backroom

staff. A Billy Brown said it was a massive task for Pat Fenlon to sort

things out. Is that the way you see it? I think it is a massive task.

Some great players at Easter Road, but unfortunately, it has not

worked out. Pat Fenlon is going to ring the changes as well, bringing

some of his own players. There were simply is that Colin Barton and

John Hughes Brom -- Broughton. It is a big job and it will be

interesting times for heads. High- scoring games was at East End Park,

dog from Mullin against Aberdeen. - joy on that left-hand side.

Magennis can't quite get there. A real chance for a Aberdeen.

Magennis on the stretch. Kirk, past Barrowman, Graham arrives at the

back post. It came to him quickly, but Graham has to hit the target

from there. Again, Aberdeen find space in the left. A late corner in

this first half. Swings it to the back post. On the stroke of half-

time. They have been threatening from set pieces. Considine wasn't

picked up. No chance for Paul Gallacher to keep that one out.

Here is Barrowman. On the rebound by Barrowman. And Barrowman,

dropping in his own rebound. Picks up. Dunfermline on the counter-

attack. It is all change at East End Park. Dunfermline have turned

it around. Gonzalez's outstretched arm could not keep it out. Foster.

Looking for a winning. There is Magennis. Dreadful. He has had

chances and has not taken any of them. The referee allowed play to

continue. Saved by Gonzalez. The M Buchanan. -- Liam Buchanan. Looking

good now. 3-1. Aberdeen will wonder how they are behind. Magennis with

a chance to pull one back. Gallacher was outsmarted. It has

not been Magennis's des. -- day. Magennis once were trying his luck

and again, does not come off. Gallacher able to take that won

easily. Considine penalised. Dunfermline take the free kick.

What has saved by Gonzalez! That was a certain goal. Amazing

reflexes by the Colombian. Brown flummoxed as to how his side have

fallen behind. It is an own goal! It has come off the head of Alex

Keddie and Aberdeen have a lifeline. Just mistimed his jump, the

defender. Aberdeen threatened from the corner kick. Off the post.

Considine he could not turn it towards the goal for Dunfermline.

The architects of their own problems year. Causing confusion.

Magennis scores! 3-3, what a game. It has twisted and turned. Josh

Magennis has drawn Aberdeen level. Is there more drama to come?

Milsom's corner. He should have won Milsom's corner. He should have won

it for Aberdeen there. A free header.

So, Dunfermline still waiting. They must have thought they would get a

win. Disappointing for them. There are lots of teams at the Tainio --

till end of the SPL. Do you like and from then? I think they have

been very good this season. They have played a lot of passing

football. They have got the width in their team with David Graham.

They have a lot of pace. They're very direct. This was a crucial

phase of the game when Gonzalez pulled off this amazing save, and

it would have gone in and made it 4-1. I cannot see what Barrowman

does wrong. When he hits the target, he is on top of it. It was a great

save. It was the set pieces. They will be gutted about that. It is

the set pieces. This one is the worse for me, because the defender

It was an amazing game at East End Park and it finished three each.

Hearts will begin to end a barren run. The last time Inverness one at

Tynecastle it was 3-2 four years grasped the point for Inverness.

Inverness were hoping the weight problems at Hearts would affect the

home side. An early goal would certainly have demoralised parts,

but overall the first half amounted to just a gentle sparring. 25

seconds into the second have it turns serious. Rudi Skacel got the

sweetest of strikes. Hard to broker the four-match goal drought. Jamie

how all with the long ball and Sutton keen to make an impression.

Terry Butcher set about rallying the Inverness Caledonian Thistle

troops and rallied they did. Inverness are then sent Johnny

Hayes the way. There was a free kick to Inverness Caledonian

Thistle. The balls world on to the head of Ross Tokely. It was 1-1.

Ross Tokely got his first goal Ont -- of the season. It would not be

the last bit of poor defending we would see in this match. Suddenly

this game had built up a real head of steam. John Sutton with a strike

from the edge of -- edge of the box. Eggert Jonsson was there. Hearts

had a 2-1 lead. The Inverness defence were all at sea and a lapse

in concentration would prove crucial as Hearts held on for all

Inverness another of your old teams. They do not look to me like a team

that should be in a relegation scrap. Do you think they will be?

do not think they will be. Inverness always step up to the

plate. It is a difficult place to go especially in this weather,

especially with the wind and the rain. This is the time they will

pick up results. A good spirit about them? There is a great spirit

about Inverness. They are so isolated and so far away and they

have got the opportunity to be together of the time. The spirit

will see them through. Terry Butcher will not be to chant about

the way they defended the goals. is great for Rudi Skacel. But there

was no Tracking whatsoever. If you watch his movement, there is nobody

in his facility running. It was a great finish. They get it wrong

twice over. It is poor defending altogether. I think there should be

two meant out there. That was a great cross. One Highland team in

the SPL at the moment. This is my opportunity to mention Ross County.

Will we have two teams in the top next season? I think you will. They

have got some great experienced professionals. I think they will be

promoted. I think they will be in the SPL next season. The biggest

mistake of your career leaving them. St Mirren were not using their

records to build belief about their chances yesterday. The last time

they want was nearly 22 years ago. The year was 1990. Scotland beat

England to win rugby's Grand Slam. Nelson Mandela was finally freed

from prison. Aberdeen won the Scottish Cup 98 on penalties.

Margaret Thatcher resigned as Prime Minister. It was the last time St

That is a great golf. 3-0. Paul Lambert. At Celtic these days

Georgia has Samaras has shuttled in and out of the team. He was in

yesterday. Kris Commons was out St Mirren have dominated possession

in the first few minutes. Georgios Samaras end on golf. -- In on golf.

Amazingly it is his first goal of the season. It is a real howler.

Sampson got his left hand to it. Agonisingly for him it crept over

space for Georgia's Samaras to create more problems. It is a tap-

in for Hooper. The flag stays down. Celtic have a two-goal lead inside

eight minutes. How much room did St Mirren give to Georgia Samaras. The

outcome was inevitable. Neil Lennon hoping his team can make it four

SPL wins on the trot. They are well on the weight. They are helped by

mistakes from St Mirren. Sampson saved it this time, just. Tenacious

play from Samaras. Celtic on the attack again straight after half-

time. Gary Hooper is in with a chance for number three. A good

save from Samson. You would have your money on Gary Hooper extending

so big's advantage immediately number three. It is brilliant

finishing again from Gary Hooper. He turned away from the defender

and fired into the corner. Celtic now have the game firmly within

their grasp. McGann when struck it very well. But it is symptomatic of

St Mirren's date. It has all gone is top-class finishing. A hat-trick

takes his season's tally to a very moment. His second attempt was

forgettable. That was the big chance. Opportunity gone. The

teenager is bearing down on goal with options either side. He did

not want to part with it. It is a wonder goal from Dylan McGeoch.

Something special on his home debut. That is certainly due a celebration.

When in possession outside Celtic's own penalty box. He decided to go

it alone will stop it might have taken a flick off MacGowan in the

end. But that is a goal to remember It is now back to a four points

between Rangers and Celtic at the top. It has been a big week for

Celtic. They have gathered momentum in the last few games and Rangers

are feeling the pressure. Celtic have done well and hopefully next

week when they come to Tannadice they will not have that behind them.

They would love to know they were going to get that performance from

Samaras week-in, week-out. He pretty much set the tone. Yes, he

is quick on his day. It's just that you would like to see that happen

more often. Some people were giving him man of the match when it is

incredible that Gary Cooper scored a hat-trick. It was typical

finishing from him. It was great finishing. It was great movement

from Hooper. Again he is in the right place at the right time. That

was a great touch. If that was in the Premiership, everybody would be

raving about it. That hat-trick took his season's tally to 12,

overtaking Anthony Stokes. Last week he got to 11. He is just an

instinctive finisher, Hooper. two of them are. You think of a big

man and a little man up front, and they hit it off so well at times it

is frightening. It is going to be a plus for Celtic as it gets much

more competitive at the top end of the table. James Forrester puts in

a fair few as well. Stokes scored two last week and to pay yesterday

and forests and Samaras, Celtic are on form. And they are producing

young talent as well. This is the moment Eighteen-year-old Dylan

McGeoch one remember for the rest of his days. It was a great

challenge to win the ball. He does not even lift his head. The boy has

got so much confidence in himself he is not even looking for a pass.

As soon as he gets it on his left foot, he drools it home. Is that

and 80 yard run, box-to-box? sure is. He does not even lift his

head to look for anyone else. He has got one thing on his mind, and

there you go. A how damaging will that be for St Mirren who played

great football, but it all went badly? I do not think it will be

damaging for them. That is the way they are going to play and they are

not going to change it. Danny Lennon has built a side that are

going to pass. At some point you will get defeated heavily.

Yesterday was that defeat and next Saturday they will pass the ball

the same way as they always have. Are you getting Celtic at a bad

time next weekend? Probably, yes, they are hitting form at the right

time. But I am sure the atmosphere will be good. They have got a

European tie to contend between now and then and hopefully we will be

fresh. You want to get out of that bottom six. Yes, and the sooner the

better it. Let's have a look at the placings as they are. It is so much

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