30/01/2016 Sportscene

Good afternoon and welcome. Forget storm Gertrude, the Met office have

issued red alert for hot air between now and 5:10pm. That's enough about

me. For balance, there is the cold, calculating logic of Michael grant

and the former Rangers defender Michael Murray. Let's get to it. We

will start with a customary bounce around the grounds, starting at

Tynecastle, where he burn you are playing St Johnstone for a place in

the League Cup final. It is a Bernie and one, St Johnstone one. He Bernie

and are in front after 23 minutes. Liam Henderson went down just inside

the box. The equaliser came four minutes later, a magnificent header

from Joe Shaughnessy. The second half just getting underway at

Tynecastle. In the Premiership, Dundee are at home to Motherwell.

Let's check into Scott Davie. Dundee U Myrick one, Motherwell 2. A

wonderful start from both sides. In four minutes, Chris Cadden with his

first Motherwell goal. Wonderful control in the chest. Dundee

impressive going forward and they were level within seven minutes,

Paul McGowan with his first of the season. Great play by Greg Stewart,

McGowan shooting home. Stephen Pearson rolling back the years. The

33-year-old midfielder through the middle of the Dundee defence to prod

in the second goal. Off to Rugby Park, where two of the bottom three

in the First Division are in action. Kilmarnock at home to Hamilton.

Plenty of nerves here and lots of scrappy football and tension. This

is a relegation struggle but no goals. Off to the bottom of the

championship, St Mirren against Alloa. Charlie Man U is at a Mirren

park, no, in the Paisley 21-21 stadium. It is St Mirren 1, Alloa 1.

Isaac Layne gave Alloa the lead from the penalty spot but Keith Watson,

guilty of conceding the penalty for Alloa's opener, levelled things up.

It was going so well! Less stay in the Championship with Dumbarton at

home to Livingston. Into the second half, it was goalless, and it still

is here in Dumbarton. Last week conditions have turned this into

somewhat of something not really resembling a professional football

match. The players are finding it difficult to keep the ball on the

ground, but as for the goalkeepers, Livingston coped better in the first

half. We are in the second half and it is still goalless. That is what

happens when you read stuff and autocue! Let's talk about the scores

so far. One each against St Johnstone, is that a fair reflection

bus far? I think Hibernian will be disappointed at half-time,

especially scoring first and conceding so soon after. On the

balance of play, they have certainly been chances created. The penalty

decision must remark what did you make of it? If you are going for an

attacking side, especially in a semifinal, there probably was enough

contact for the penalty to be given. A player going in and doing that

challenge gives the referee an option to give the penalty. St

Johnstone bounced back more or less straightaway. It was quite a hostile

atmosphere for them. Hibernian have got three sides on the ground and

they will be making a racket. A weaker team would fold in those

circumstances, but then Johnston had not done that. They are organised. A

great header wide Shaughnessy straightaway. As soon as it leaves

his head, you think it is over the keeper's head. It could go either

way. Choose your words carefully, Paul Hartley have this on the eye

player, Dundee are 2-0 down to Motherwell. Motherwell could do with

a win. Two defeats, but they were on a good run. Mark McGhee has got them

not back in terms of getting towards the top six. Stephen Pearson on

target again, his fifth of the season. He is scoring a lot of goals

from midfield. He is the sort of player who can make a difference.

Now in that group of teams in the division who are tightly packed

together. But they have got some senior, experienced players, like

Pearson. Scott McDonald, Lewis Moult, who is a lot younger. He has

got quality. I think Motherwell will be OK. Hamilton against Kilmarnock,

scrappy and tense. That is what one would have imagined, given the

position they are in. I think so, a tough game, so both teams have had

slumped at times in the season. I was up there last week and

Kilmarnock were particularly poor. It is probably vital today that

Kilmarnock don't lose but, in the long run, it probably doesn't help

their position. A bit of a surprise that the two teams with the weakest

defences in the league are goalless. Yeah, it is a good result for Dundee

United, as it stands, because nobody is pulling further away from them.

Hamilton could go for points ahead of Dalmarnock if they win, but it

doesn't look like it is going to happen. -- Kilmarnock. Neither of

these teams wins many matches. Your former employers, St Mirren, you

started the season in charge. They are 1-1 against Alloa. They have

failed to win at home before and it looks as though they are struggling

today. It is a mystery to everyone, because the pitch is excellent, the

surroundings are excellent, but for some reason over the last couple of

seasons, their home form has been desperate at times. Today is another

opportunity to try and get that one and at the moment they are not

taking it. It will be a huge blow if they don't take it. Rangers against

Falkirk, 0-0. Rangers have recently scored a barrowload of goals soap

Falkirk will be delighted at the moment. Falkirk beat regions the

last time and since then Rangers have been really free scoring. --

they beat Rangers. So far, Falkirk have been organised and tight. They

beat Rangers at Christmas. Yeah, 2-1, a controversial, eventful game.

I am not sure it is as busy today. But it just shows how solid and

substantial 18 Falkirk are. We keep dismissing them. -- solid and

substantial team. If you are racing Johnston fan and you are watching,

it might be because you couldn't get a ticket for the semifinal at

Tynecastle. Their manager, Tommy Wright, is pretty angry. Here is why

he says the SPF fell have trampled on his club by religion on a promise

to make 600 additional tickets available after their initial

allocation. -- by reneging. But the league gave them to Hibernian

because of segregation issues. The word fiasco has been mentioned in

connection to this, and we do love a fiasco in Scottish football. Would

you describe this as such? I think it has been poorly handled. When you

think of the gap between when the draw was made and we knew that St

Johnstone and Hibernian were playing each other and the selection of

Tynecastle as the venue, the gap between that and the final decision

being confirmed, St Johnstone, I think they had 75, 76 days. I think

the lead's position is that there was never a promise, it was never

that firm, that St Johnstone would get these extra tickets, but that is

not the way that things Johnston see it. They believed that they were

always going to get these tickets. Those were taken off them and given

to Hibernian and you can see why Tommy Wright is angry, although I

think there is probably an element of Tommy thinking that you can use

this to build a siege mentality. A sense of grievance to go into the

tie today. That aside, it is almost like a home game for Hibernian,

massive disparity in the ticket allocation, it is in Edinburgh, at

Tynecastle, so it will be like a home game. If Hibernian could have

played anywhere outside Easter Road, it would have been Tynecastle. The

ticket demand would be huge. For Hibernian, it is all positive. For

St Johnstone, it is negative, but they will use that as a positive in

the game. However, Hibernian have a much larger regular support and

thing Johnston. They do, but it is a semifinal. Both teams would get a

much bigger turnout. The other semifinal will be at Hampden Park

tomorrow and that might be half full. It won't have the kind of

atmosphere we can see from the pictures at Tynecastle. I think it

is tough to get to a semifinal and only have 3500 tickets. Do we need

segregation at matches like this? I don't think we ever get enough of an

explanation, whether it is from police Scotland or whatever. If a

ground is suitable, it should have act to put Best adequate segregation

facilities so you don't just have one set of supporters packed away at

the end. Our report is at Tynecastle watching events, Hibernian against

St Johnstone. Anything new to tell us? Nine minutes into the second

half, it is still Hibernian 1, St Johnstone 1. Hibernian started much

the bright and delivered -- deservedly took the lead although

the penalty was controversial. Liam Henderson just inside the box, the

challenge coming in from Chris Miller. These things Johnston

players were livid that the referee pointed to this. The player for St

Johnstone was booked for so much of his protest. It was a terrific

penalty taken by Jason Cummings, very calm. The ball ended up in the

back of the net. Moments later, what a response from St Johnstone. They

piled on the pressure, and a leap from George Shaughnessy was

remarkable. Hitting a header into the top corner. Chances since then

have been few and far between and the wind is now playing up, having

an impact on how the game is being played. The sleet and snow has been

falling. Remember, this game, if it is 1-1 against 90 minutes -- after

90 minutes, we have additional time and possibly penalty kicks. We have

now played 55 minutes here at Tynecastle. David is spending his

afternoon at Dundee against Motherwell. Still 2-1. They are

having to play back in the penalty area because there is a strong wind

blowing in Dundee's Faber in the second half. It is that kind of

afternoon. Snow flurries, the pitch cutting up badly, but we have had an

entertaining match so far, although I think even Paul Hartley would

criticise his defence for the way that they conceded the opening dome

in -- the opening goal in form and it was it a of skill from Chris

Scanlon, the teenage midfielder, but he was all alone in the penalty box

to control it on the chest. The Dundee response was pretty instant.

They were level within three minutes, Greg Stewart, lovely

floated ball into the inside right channel where Paul McGowan had made

an intelligent run. He controlled it with one touch and knocked it past

Connor Ripley. From there, end-to-end stuff, Greg Stewart

forcing Connor Ripley into another save. Stephen Pearson has given

Motherwell the initiative, bursting through the Dundee defence in 23

minutes, showing the pace and skill of the 33-year-old, lifting the ball

over Scott Bain into the net. In the second half, a lot of intelligent

play from Gary Harkins but so far Dundee can't manage to dig out that

leveller. Off to Rugby Park to catch up with Richard Wilson. He is

keeping an eye on Kilmarnock against Hamilton. No change here. A very

scrappy game. You made reference to both these teams suffering heavy

defeats recently and I am not even sure that they both set out to be

overly defensive, but just a lack of quality and composure in the final

third. There have been a couple of half chances for Hamilton, one in

the first half, where Hamilton tried to chip it. If you minutes ago, a

cross into the Kilmarnock penalty area. It was lifted so high over the

bar I am pretty certain it finished in the top tier of the stadium. I

will be surprised at the moment if either team manages to get a goal. I

think there might have been won, but there is not time to catch up. John

Barnes is in Paisley watching St Mirren against Alloa. Thank you. 1-1

it is and Alloa took the lead courtesy of a controversial penalty

as well. It was a shot from Isaac Layne which came off the hand,

accidentally more than anything, for Alloa, just add up the other end St

Mirren are claiming for a penalty which referee is not going to give.

They are incensed. The first one that was given, it didn't look

dangerous at all going into the box of St Mirren. It accidentally came

off the hand of Watson. It was going well wide. They felt it was given,

and Isaac Layne scored it. Keith Watson made amends for that eight

minutes before the interval with a lovely touch about 20 yards out. He

put it onto his left foot and curled it superbly into the corner of the

net. St Mirren have really come back into it in this early second half

period. They are pushing to try and take the lead. David Clarkson, on

loan from Motherwell, has been invented up front, setting up

opportunities for the midfielders to come and support.

There now follows a partly political broadcast on behalf of the match

officials of Scotland. John Fleming has told us they are on a bit of a

downer, because the criticism they get is at times over the top, he

thinks. Jonathan Sutherland was at the winter training camp this week

and brought back this report. VOICEOVER: Hands up who would be a

referee! Are gathering in Spain for an intensive few days honing skills,

but according to their boss, it is not always such a convivial

atmosphere. There have been times when referees have been really down,

because they feel as though the criticism they get is over the top

and I would agree. The Scottish Cup semifinal last season, and decision

not given, a mistake that can lead to a huge amount of criticism.

COMMENTATOR: Was it a handball? Celtic screaming for a penalty!

VOICEOVER: Criticism that John Fleming think sometimes goes too

far. I would never be obstructive to working with the media but there is

a line that can be crossed, it has been crossed several times since I

have been in and I am very conscious of that. It is very frustrating,

sometimes I get angry, especially the comments that may not be

technically sound, especially if the comment that are made of

personalised, which they have been recently, that becomes frustrating.

What annoys you most, Sunday night, watching sports scene, the pundits

going over a refereeing issues. Not annoying but it frustrates me, when

they based their decision not on an interpretation of the laws of the

game and the referees interpretation... We do not make the

laws of the game... We are guided by what the interpretation is. We have

to follow these interpretations. It frustrates me on a Sunday when I am

watching it and some of the so-called pundits talk about

decisions which do not have any basis in the law, which we as

referees have two apply. The training camp is all about honing

existing refereeing skills, the question now being debated, how much

video technology will alter the refereeing landscape. I think there

is a lot of challenges in football that are not quite the same

challenges as in other sports which have successfully adopted video

technology. But as referees, if the technology is there, to help me make

better decisions on the field, then why would I not take that? All

referees will say that. Do you introduce it at a goal? A red card?

Serious foul play? Mistaken identity...? Or, elongated,

introduce it at a throw in, a wrong corner kick, a wrong goal kick, a

free kick prior to the ball ending up in the next...! You have got to

define what it is we want from the assistant referee. -- video

assistant. As well as practical sessions, video analysis forms part

of the training camp, the aim is to make sure that referees get more of

the big decisions right. When they go back it does not mean that all

the decisions will be correct because they have had the training

camp, there is elements within the game that will always control that

but they will practice the situation, they will be ready for

it, they will be aware of the situation is, and on practical

sessions we have done over the last few days, we should be preparing

them for it and that will enhance their decision-making. To her is

human, mistakes will happen, Scottish referees think that they

are doing everything they can to get things right. -- to err. You seem

pretty upbeat! I can understand why people would be surprised by that,

but we are very much a group and then up beat group, and many of us

are friends away from the field. -- very much a group and we are an

upbeat group. There is bonding, there is a time for having a laugh

and a joke. The time, the commitment, the efforts these men

put in, you have got to be passionate about it, if you were not

passionate, you would not do it. STUDIO: We will talk more about

referees and refereeing shortly, but first we head back to Paisley, there

has been a goal in the match between St Mirren and Alloa. It is for the

home team, St Mirren leading 2-0. Good build-up play involving David

Clarkson, Shankland had a shot from the 25 yard line, took a deflection

from a defender, high into the box. Arriving from the wide area, Calum

Gallagher, he got in ahead of the goalkeeper and headed it over the

top of Scott Gallagher, in goal, Gallagher scoring for St Mirren

against Gallagher of Alloa, the goalkeeper, it is 2-1. Gentleman, a

couple of what Rick Thompson would describe as " so-called pundits"...

(!) talk about the issues raised in the report, the referees striking

back? But in a very polite and measured way. John Fleming says some

of the criticism is over the top, do you concur? I think he has a point.

I can imagine viewers watching that clip, that feature, referees in

Spain, cursing at them, then, of all people, what have they done to

deserve that! But I can see the sense in them having a group

session. It can be over the top... Going back to Steven MacLean, the

semifinal, the handball... It went on and on, we had days of the

referee being vilified in the media. I think that... Were you one of

those people? At times, I suppose, but John Fleming is talking about

not being obstructive to the media, I don't think he is, but he could be

doing more, it helps if the media and the referees have more of a

relationship, not kept at arm's-length from us. There might

not be the inclination to be so heavily critical. But they will

still make mistakes. We saw one this week, the booking form Andy

Halliday, which leads to his red card. That is a snap judgment that a

referee gets badly wrong. But they are ridiculed. And they are

criticised for two or three days. Talking about over the top criticism

in the media but what about the managers? Do managers crossed that

line far too often? I think it is crossed at times but not far too

often and I have crossed it, all managers have done. The pressure

that comes with what we are doing, the things that you think the

referee, the cistern referee could do better. -- the assistant referee.

The frustration comes from the lack speaking to them after the game. A

bit stand fish will stop we all understand that they make mistakes.

Very seldom do somebody up there hand and say, that was wrong. That

is the biggest thing for managers and players. -- stand-offish. It is

human nature to get things wrong and also to shift the blame elsewhere,

you never hear a manager coming out after their team has lost and say,

the referee has had a good game(!) semi-time that I have heard a

referee saying -- manager saying to the referee after the match, well

done. Regardless of the result. We do approach John on a Monday or

Tuesday, we rarely get a response, and a positive one, in terms of,

that was wrong, and we apologise. Video technology was raised. To the

outside observer, video technology can only assist referees, and defuse

any controversy for the top teams. Football is the same game at all

levels, from the World Cup final to the bottom of the League 2 in

Scotland, basically the same at all levels, that is one of the great

things about football. You cannot afford the technology on all

grounds, that is not reasonable, but these referees, it would protect

them if they have that level of back-up, which if they make a

mistake, that a fourth official... As long as the technology works.

Indeed! It would protect them, they may still make a mistake, but if it

is rectified in a matter of seconds and does not become the big issue

that rumbled on for the next days in the media... The next story will be

transfers and the transfer window, we will take a couple of moments to

consider that, comings and goings, the transfer window closes at the

start of next week, it has ugly been a vintage window, come to think of

it, I cannot remember such a thing(!) -- it has hardly been a

vintage window. This fellow, a lover of fashion and the arts by all

accounts, although he's just wearing the traditional hoops there are, at

Celtic Park, being paraded, do you like the cut of his jib? Difficult

window, they have a lot to play for, frustration for the European side,

great chance of retaining the title. Players of his quality will not hurt

that. A player brought in for the Champions League qualifiers next

season, you would imagine. 1.5 million, reasonably affordable, he's

good age, and certainly scope for him to develop and be one of these

guys that they can sell on down the line for a considerable profit, he

has played at a good level, the Danish national side, and maybe it

is an acknowledgement that Dedryck Boyata has not worked as well as

they would have hoped. So bringing in Erik Sviatchenko is not a bad

idea, perhaps they will be using him alongside Jozo Simunovi . The

alongside Jozo Simunovic. The teenage winger on loan from

Manchester City, Patrick Roberts, they are getting in for nothing for

18 months, looks like good business, Manchester City page 12 million from

Fulham. There is a lot of players that do not want to come up here. --

paid. To get him on a long loan is a great piece of business for Celtic.

But now he has two produce. James Forrest, thinking about a new

contract, Gary Mackay-Steven is as well... And Nesbitt in the reserve

side, the under 20s side, getting a lot of good publicity. It is an

interesting one, the ?12 million figure sounds impressive to us, but

remember how much they spend in England! It is not that significant,

however, Patrick Roberts is very highly rated in the English national

youth setup, Trevor Brooking hopes he will be plain for England in Euro

2020. A couple coming in, but on his way out, temporarily, Anthony

Stokes, he has joined Hibernian. Looks like exceptional business from

the Hibernian point of view. Yes, a lot of talk around the Burnie on for

a while about Anthony Stokes joining them, a lot of fans may be thought

it was never going to happen, it took a while, but it has happened.

He scores goals, he has scored goals at every level. I think that the

comes with a bit of a reputation. Not perhaps as bad as what people

would like to think. He's not type of guy to cause disruption. Richard

Wilson bringing disruption to our discussion, but it is good

disruption, he has a goal in the match between Kilmarnock and

Hamilton, standing by to describe it for us. I was very much enjoying

that discussion but finally we have a breakthrough, Ali Crowfoot corner

kick, deep into the penalty area, Carlton Morrison has risen above his

marker and got the last touch to head it into the roof of the net,

1-0, Hamilton. More from him as the show goes on, now, let's talk about

the transfer activity at Rangers, quite a surprise this week, Billy

King, joining on loan from hearts. Quite shocking, yes, good signing,

good move for Billy as well. Heart of Midlothian have so many good

young players, and it is difficult to give them gametime in that

position. Top of the championship, huge club, getting some gametime at

that level is a win-win for himself and for Heart of Midlothian and for

Rangers. Catch your breath, I will take time out to welcome any late

coming viewers, and those who may have nodded off... Wake up! We do

not have a big interactive screen or anything but we have decent banter

from journalist Michael Grant and Ian Murray, former Hibs and Rangers.

Here is a look at the latest scores, and a summary of the spineless, I'm

afraid. Without any further ado, let's head

to Tynecastle. There has been a goal in the semifinal of the League Cup

between Hibernian and St Johnstone. Hibernian are back in front, John

McGinn with a left foot strike from 22 yards, drilling the goal beyond

Alan Matheson into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal. Jason

Cummings with a disputed penalty earlier on, but a fantastic

Shaughnessy header drew St Johnstone level. It wouldn't be Saturday

afternoon without the voice of Brian MacLachlan and it would be either

without hearing from Scott Davie. We are into the last 15 minutes and it

is 2-1 to Motherwell, goals from Chris Cadden and Stephen Pearson. In

between those, Paul McGowan getting his first of the season for Dundee.

Pretty much all dandy in the second half and a couple of bits of

outrageous skill almost getting the equaliser, first a lobbed effort

from the edge of the penalty area and then with a shot which reached

Connor Ripley but clipped the edge of the post. They have just brought

on our tour row, on loan from Cordoba. He has had a couple of nice

touches so far. Richard Wilson is watching this afternoon's other

Premiership match between Kilmarnock and Hamilton at Rugby Park. Some

desperation to the home side's attacking. Ali Crawford delivered a

corner into the penalty area and Morris hit it into the corner of the

net. Before then, Kilmarnock had a couple of chances, a Kris Boyd free

kick bouncing off the crossbar. But it remains 1-0 to Hamilton. Off to

Paisley for an update on St Mirren against Alloa. It is still St Mirren

2, Alloa 1. Despite Alloa taking the lead through Isaac Layne, Keith

Watson and Alan Gallagher has put these things in front of these

nobles. There has been another booking, Dougie of Alloa. There have

been numerous problems for St Mirren. The ball is headed over the

top of the crossbar from Jack beard. We will be having updates from

Tynecastle and that League Cup semifinal between St Johnstone and

Hibernian through the programme. The second League Cup semifinal is at

the national stadium tomorrow. It is live on BBC One Scotland between

cup-holders Ross County and Celtic. If previous matches between these

sides this season are anything to be gone by, one would imagine most folk

tipping Celtic to be on top. Here we have the first game of the season,

Celtic winning 2-0 at home to Ross County. They will probably always be

favourites. I spoke to Jim McIntyre during the week and he was

reflecting on these two games. He was quite pleased with the number of

chances which Ross County made, and that was a controversial moment in

the first game when it felt that Craig Gordon should have been sent

off and he was only booked. So I think Jim McIntyre is coming down to

the game tomorrow with a degree of confidence. We also know that the

Celtic record at Hampden Park is surprisingly patchy over the last

five or six years. I don't think Jim would take much confidence from the

meeting between Ross County and Celtic at Dingwall, which was a much

more convincing win for Celtic. This was never a great time to get

Celtic, but I think this timing is particularly hard. Celtic seem to

have raised their game. I don't know if it is the fear of players coming

in to replace those ones that they haven't, but for Ross County to come

and win it will be a very hard asked. That isn't to say they can't

do it. When they are underdogs, they can win. Leigh Griffiths scoring

there, he is in aid to vein of form at the moment. -- he is in a

tremendous vein of form. There are reports that they are interested in

Carlton Cole, they have got Carlton Cole, Nadir Ciftci, but so far

Griffiths has seen off everybody at Celtic. They didn't re-sign him with

us thinking he would be the first choice centre forward, but he has

made that. Griffiths has been in the form of his career. He has been

made that. Griffiths has been in the terrific. You alluded to Ross County

being able to choke Celtic before. Most of us remember 2010, the

semifinal of the Scottish Cup, one of the biggest surprises in the

competition's history. Ross County, a First Division club. That really

underlined the shop element. Nowadays, we are more familiar with

Ross County being a top-flight team. They are fourth in the league. --

the shock element. Liam Boyce might come back in, who has been terrific

all season. If you include that one, that is six years ago, but they have

lost to St Mirren, Kilmarnock, Kathy Thistle in semifinals or finals at

Hampden Park, Celtic, all of which they went into as favourites. When

you look at Ross County, this time last season, they were bottom of the

Premiership. Now, as Michael says, they are looking good, they are

informed, they are still going well in the Scottish Cup. Jim and I have

done a remarkable job. He went in there from the start and he took a

feud games to get to the January window to freshen things up and he

got the resources for that. -- a few games. They are fourth in the

league, not far behind Hearts and Aberdeen. Huge credit to Jim and his

staff and the players for the way they have managed to not just turn

it round but to maintain the challenge. Let's hear what he has

got to say for himself. We are facing a team who have got real

confidence and are scoring goals freely. Most of their players seem

on the button at the moment. We will have to bring a level of performance

which is right up there to win, but I know we are capable of beating any

team on the day and I've got a firm belief in the group of players. We

will have to defend well, to be solid and compact, and also still

carry the fight of putting the ball away upfront. That is how they do

it. That is the game plan. Tight at the back. Every club has a game plan

against Celtic. I have been at most recent Celtic games, against

Stranraer and Dundee United. They thrashed Hamilton and maybe St

Johnstone will be a harder task, but they were convincing. St Johnstone

and Ross County, they are pretty comparable teams, well-organised.

Celtic have just clicked at the moment. If that continues, they will

win again. They captain played for Bradford. Would it be much of a

surprise if Celtic -- if County beat Celtic? It would be disrespectful to

say that Ross County going to the game and nobody gives them a chance.

They are a good side, as the table shows. They will go to Glasgow

tomorrow firmly believing they can win. No question about that. It will

be a tough ask, but we can't write Ross County. Ross County take on

junior side Linlithgow rose in the last 16 of the William Hill Scottish

Cup next week. The West Lothian club are the first junior team to reach

that stage and they got there by beating League 1 Forfar 1-0 in extra

time. The goal was scored five minutes from time by Kevin Kelbie.

He is a dog walker during the day. I am going to meet him and walked the

dogs next week. It wasn't a walk in the park for them, and neither has

the Scottish Cup beam. It has been an epic. They have travelled 2000

miles, going all over the country, they have had to deal with

postponements and abandonment and, at the end of that, they get the

reward of travelling to Dingwall to face Ross County. It is a great

opportunity. I was up at the game during the week and they probably

deserved to win it. There wasn't a lot in it from different leagues,

the juniors in the League 1s. Fantastic for them. It is a great

story, the first junior team to get this far in the competition, guys

who work so hard just to play part-time football and then they

have got a fantastic opportunity. Hopefully, it will be tough against

Ross County, because Jim is at the game as well, so he isn't dismissing

them. But great. Flying the flag for the junior game. It strikes me that

Jonathan gets a trip to Spain with the referees and you go dog walking

in Linlithgow. And I am allergic to dogs! Do you fancy their chances at

all? A shot in the dark? I'd be surprised. They have had this

horrendously unlucky cup campaign, the fact that they keep getting

through and getting these unfortunate drawers, I can't see

them coming through that one. Ian, any chance? They have always got a

chance but that is a tough one for them. Especially up there. A wee

treat for you in the shape of some match action from this week's Friday

night football, with the chance to venture into League 1. Dunfermline

and lost a league match since September. It was the Diamonds who

prevailed, just one goal in the game, scored by Jamie Bain. A real

surprise, this one. The first defeat in a long while. I suppose it was

always going to come, but not many people expected them to lose at home

last night. I think Airdrie are now forth. They also announced last

night that they are going to return to full-time football next season

after six years as part-timers, so that is good. We may turn to

discussion of League 1, but right now we are back to Dundee against

Motherwell. A penalty to Dundee has been converted by Kane Hemmings for

his 10th goal in the last seven games. Extreme in total now for the

former Cowdenbeath and Barnsley striker. -- 16 in total. It was

controversial, certainly if you are a Motherwell supporter. He

complained bitterly, but the referee was adamant that there had been a

hold. John Hemmings sending Connor Ripley the wrong way. Before we go

back to League 1, let's talk about Kane Hemmings. He is a fine run of

form. The last ten games. Stating the obvious, that makes a

difference. If you have a consistent goal-scorer, and a few of the teams

have them in this season, Boyce, Griffiths at Aberdeen, and Hemmings

has been delivering for Paul Hartley. We were talking about

League 1 before. Dunfermline certainly have been delivering. It

looked as though they were coasting. But the ball came off the wheels at

Airdrie. They were cruising that division by the looks of things. But

it gives other teams a chance if they can capitalise. They have a

game in hand, their game was postponed today, which isn't great

for them. There is not a huge advantage to Dunfermline. Certainly

something for every and other teams to hang onto. Advantage Dunfermline

in League 1. Hibernian are leading St Johnstone 2-1. The John McGinn

strike, terrific, it was, giving Alan Manus no chance in the St

Johnstone goal. St Johnstone have thrown on all three substitutes to

try and get an equaliser to take the game into extra time, and who knows

what happens after that? They are on the attack again. It will be a

corner kick to St Johnstone. They are piling continuous pressure on

this Hibernian goal to try and get an equaliser. Turned a half minutes

left at Tynecastle. Off to Rugby Park to hear from Richard Wilson

again. He is watching Kilmarnock against Hamilton. A pattern now,

Kilmarnock pushing uphill, trying to find an equaliser. The substitute

shot over the bar from inside the penalty area. A couple of moments

ago, Hamilton should have extended their lead. He screwed the ball for

Dougie Imrie and he put a shot over the bar. Kilmarnock are applying

pressure. Into the Championship and we are going to Paisley for St

Mirren against Alloa. It is still the same score. Keith Watson and

Calum Gallagher the goal-scorers, cancelling out the early strike from

Isaac Layne from the penalty spot. With less than four minutes to go,

Alloa are trying to find a way back. They have utilised all substitutes

will stop Robbie Crawford is darting forward on numerous occasions for

Alloa, the former Rangers player, but he has not found a way past the

St Mirren defence. St Mirren have brought on defender Gary Irvine and

taken off a striker. They are trying to shore things up at the back. I

must come from -- contemplate you on how calm you are being. St Johnstone

throwing everything at Hibs in the closing stages, but what is your

intuition? I think Hibs will hold on and progress to the final. But St

Johnstone are putting a lot of pressure on them at the moment. If

we see your head dropping into your hands, we know they have equalised.

You must be impressed by what is happening with Hibernian, there is

talk of the treble. They are going well on all fronts. They are doing

fine. It is vital to get back in the top league. That is the most

important thing. A potential cup final will take care of itself, as

it always does. A huge game next week against Hearts. They slightly

going as underdogs and I think maybe they can calm things down. Nobody

really expects Hibs to go to Tynecastle and dominate a game of

football, which is what they expected every day in the league.

They can relax a bit. They are still playing in the semifinal. But it is

all over in the Premiership encounter between Dundee and

Motherwell. Kane Hemmings, his 16th goal of the season from the penalty

spot. The home side dominated in the second half. A day of mixed fortunes

for Motherwell, with Chris Cadden opening the scoring in just four

minutes, with a goal of real skill, controlling the cross from Marvin

Johnson on the left on his chest and steering it into the top corner of

the net, although Paul Hartley will be unhappy with the poor defending

which left him with such space. It was Captain's challenge on another

player which led to the award of the penalty, and Hemmings converted. He

shot a couple in the week against Falkirk in the Scottish Cup. It is

now ten in his last seven games. A valuable addition he has been to the

side. Greg Stewart was his real team make, that initial partnership which

gave him a pass through to Paul McGowan allowing him to score and

level things up. Stephen Pearson giving Motherwell the lead in a game

which was really end to end and entertaining stuff, despite the snow

flurries and the bitter wind. Pearson driving through the middle

of that Dundee defence. Both goalkeepers, Scott Bain for Dundee

and Connor Ripley for Motherwell, making important saves at that

stage. In the second half, Dundee pushed forward, Gary Harkins twice

going close to getting an equaliser. But it looked as though they had run

out of ideas and time before that penalty came dramatically at the

end. In stoppage time, our tour row, the Spanish striker, bought in on

loan, may be -- nearly managed to get three points. Connor Ripley

diving to his right to push it behind for a corner to make sure

Motherwell at least took something from this game.

Looking at the league table, you may disagree with me but that looks like

a much better point for Dundee, getting them into the top six,

whereas Motherwell are in a bit of a sticky situation. Hard one for

Motherwell, winning so late in the game, just coming off the back of

losing to Ross County, and losing heavily at Tynecastle. They should

not be too downcast about a draw at dens park. What an introduction for

Billy King, neither scored. 90 minute! -- he has scored. We have

touched on how bad I move it was earlier. He has repaid it

straightaway. -- how big a move it was not Craig Burton as a knack for

bringing in players that do well. Players like Gary Mackay playing

better than last season. This in fact has been instant. Does this

mean they will not pursue O'Hara? Similar type of player, quite a bit

of distance between the bid and what St Johnstone were looking for. The

deadline is on Monday night, they may still make a move, they did not

get the target they wanted so far. He went to Leeds. O'Hara they have

not got. If he is a back-up, he has been a pretty good one so far! --

Mark Warburton. Dumbarton at home against Livingston.

It had been a horrendous match in terms of conditions. Difficult to

control on the ground, never mind the air. A comedy of errors in the

first half, the Livingston side hoping it was conducive. Dumbarton

took the initiative, and try to push forward. Awarded a corner, Mark

Doherty stepped up, and scored. Second from the corner flag in only

a month! Conditions may have played a part but they all count. The wind

improved into the second half but the scoreline did not living in. The

big match is over, League Cup semifinal between Hibernian and St

Johnstone, we will look at how it finished. 2-1, the Easter Road club

through to the League Cup final on Sunday, March 13. Courtesy of a

magnificent strike by John McGinn in the second half, played into the

box, 22 yards out, drilling it beyond Alan Mannus in the goal, they

took the lead through a controversial penalty kick,

excellently put away by Cummings. Before Hibernian were put back in

front. And amazing save was pulled off from Joe Shaughnessy, deep into

stoppage time. Lifted the cup in 2007, they have dreams of doing so

again, it finished 2-1. Full-time in the Premiership match between

Kilmarnock and Hamilton, Hamilton hanging on for the win. Very little

quality on show, very few chances, forgiveable given what is at stake.

A header from the corner from Crawford was the only goal of the

game. Chris Boyd hit the crossbar but Hamilton should have added to

their lead late on in the game. The final whistle was greeted by a

chorus of boos from the home fans, they were not happy with what they

saw, Hamilton move further clear at the bottom of the Premier League --

Premiership. St Mirren against Alloa Athletic, is it all over? It is now,

St Mirren have won by 3-1, for only their fifth league win of the

season, their first on home soil this term. They came from behind to

do it. Keith Washington was guilty of conceding a penalty with a

handball. Made amends eight minutes before the interval. Gallagher put

St Mirren to 2-1 in front. A looping header over the top of the Alloa

Athletic goalkeeper. Three minutes into stoppage time, Stevie Mallan,

eighth goal of the season, wrapping it up for the buddies, corner kick

to Alloa Athletic, looking for an equaliser, cleared away by St

Mirren, dropped on the halfway line, tried a pass back, short with it,

and there was Stevie Mallan pouncing and running a good 30 yards towards

goal and then slotting it in the bottom right-hand corner. A victory

for the Paisley side, first home league win of the season, first home

league win since May 16, last year. Good day for all of your former

teams! Starting with the Burnie on, another cup final, fantastic, great

achievement by the players and the management. The Burnie and always

say, the feel-good factor, it continues for them, fantastic. --

Hibernian. Revelation at Hibernian, he has been good at St Mirren but

even better at Easter Road. He has been terrific. We talk about him and

family strikers they have and family goal-scorers they have but he can

chip in from midfield. We always talk about Hibernian as dreadful in

the Scottish Cup, but in the League Cup, they do not have that pressure,

the media build-up about the bad record. They won it in 2007. They

will fancy themselves. Knocking out three Premiership sides on the wane.

A really tough run, in terms of the draw, both Aberdeen and Dundee

United... The Aberdeen game was not a great game, to be perfectly

honest, it was not a high-quality match, Aberdeen were slightly below

par and Hibernian capitalised. Rangers have beaten Falkirk, 1-0, 90

minute goal from Billy King, that is a wheelie significant result for

Rangers. Putting quite a bit of distance between them and Falkirk.

And maybe we will see the Bernie and consolidate as the main challenger

to them. Big win for them, Rangers will win that league. It is more

interesting about what is at the bottom of the Premiership. That is

what I was going to come to, good win for Hamilton, but it is alarm

bells ringing even louder at Rugby Park. I think so, home defeat

against the team directly above you, a blow at any stage of the season.

The fans will be unhappy, again, especially at home, looking at the

lead, that tight... -- looking at the league. Postponements, some

teams have games in hand but from Dalmarnock in 11 to Dundee, St

Johnstone, actually, fifth, only seven points in it. -- kill Marnoch.

If United win their two games in hand, they are only five points

behind kill Marnoch. It is a huge if but last week they got that terrific

result against kill Marnoch. There is a bit of a bounce -- kill

Marnoch. -- Kilmarnock. They have a chance to

close it even further. Huge if to win both these games in hand. They

will give themselves a fighting chance. Can may perform the miracle?

I would not rule it out, gave themselves a fighting chance, it is

about momentum and confidence from teams at that end, at the moment you

would not fancy Kilmarnock, the place feels flat. You do not want to

have a play-off against possibly... Rangers or Hibs or Falkirk... You do

not want a play-off against any of these clubs! Very hard games. If

they get into the final of the play-offs, that team is on a high,

it is they managed to get there, over a 2-legged game, they can

produce anything on the day. The bottom two? Get out your crystal

ball(!) I would be surprised if Dundee United finished out of the

bottom two but I can still seek all Monica going down automatically.

Teams have pulled together runs, Partick Thistle on a great run. --

but I can still see Kilmarnock going down automatically. You win two or

three games, you can get six or nine points, makes a massive difference.

Motherwell and Partick will be all right, Hamilton have put a bit of

distance between themselves and United today, 16 points between them

and the bottom place. As we were saying, depends how you go into the

play-off, if Dundee United finish in the play-off position suddenly,

having been bottom four months, they will go into it with a huge lift. Go

into the classified round-up, right now.

The match between Dunfermline and Airdrieonians of course played last

night. Is time for a look at the league

tables. No real movement, because a lot of the League Cup teams playing

today. After that late win over Falkirk,

congratulations to Rangers, they are eight points clear, but Hibernian

will not be too disappointed, after beating St Johnstone, they are

through to the League Cup final. First win of the season at home for

the team in second bottom. There we have it, the league tables,

gentlemen, and now, we can have a look at the goal action from the

League Cup semifinal at Tynecastle, the Bernie and ran out 2-1 winners.

The penalty incident, controversial... -- the Bernie and

-- Hibernian. The match was won by John McGinn, with a strike in the

second half, making it 2-1. Excellent goal to round it off.

Doing well to keep your eye on the match while talking to me at the

same time, Ian, I am going to try to get an objective view, did Hibernian

deserve it? They shaded it, they did not dominate the game, I would not

say that, St Johnstone were unlucky, they hit the bar. Thought they could

have done a wee bit more. Overall, it Bernie and deserved to go

through. Do you agree? -- Hibernian. Crowded down, John McGinn, he did

well to do that. A great goal to win it, for Hibernian. They meet the

winners of Ross County and Celtic, tomorrow. The other goal-scorer for

Hibs, Jason Cummings, remarkable season. Vital player. Consistent

goal-scorer, great record. Shows that he does it in the big games,

when there is pressure on, Winnie is marked very closely, he is a

handful. If it is Celtic they face in the final, interesting. St

Johnstone out of the Scottish Cup and the League Cup, now time to

focus on the league and try to work their way up further towards the

top. Definitely, they will be hugely disappointed in terms of losing the

game but it is not as though the season is gone for them, there is

now an opportunity to push four teams above them. Strong bunch in

terms of the between players and management, plenty to play. White

the treble, it is still on, you have got to mention the horrendous record

Hibs have in the Scottish Cup but is the trouble on? If it is Ross County

they would fancy themselves, they would also think they can give

Celtic a game, if it is them in the final, they are a good side, and

Alan Stubbs has been really impressive this season, I think,

they are still going on three fronts. The man management skills,

Stokes, it seems Alan Stubbs has what is required to manage him. Yes,

definitely, the way he has got them going, it is a big season for the

Bernie, and Alan Stubbs... They have recruited really well. In the summer

and in January. -- Hibernian. They have had to spend money to do that,

getting to the final, clawing back some of that money, to a certain

extent, that perhaps we'll let them do more in the summer. Would you

want Ross County in the final, as a span? People may say that it is an

easier game but in final you very rarely get an easy game, and for

Hibernian just to get there, the occasion, and the potential chance

to win it, that is a huge boost. Ross County and Celtic tomorrow, PDF

and see? Celtic, you have to fancy Celtic, for all we have said about

their patchy record at Hampden, you have got to fancy Celtic. Time to

remind you that you can watch live coverage of the League Cup semifinal

tomorrow, coverage beginning at 2:35pm. You can also see highlights

of that. The semifinal between St Johnstone and Hibs, and league

action, what there was of it, tomorrow, 10:30pm, with Jonathan.

And we are in Edinburgh later, for the off the Ball Saturday

supplement, give them a call. Please go easy on Stewart after his side's

defeat in the League Cup semifinal(!) that is it from us,

thank you very much to the guests and thank you to you for watching,

enjoy the rest of your evening, and we will see you soon, take care.