30/12/2013 Sportscene

Hello and welcome to our pre-Hogmanay Sportscene spectacular.

The final football fling of 2013, and what a way to go out. Some great

goals tonight, meaty talking points as always and two top pundits.

Steven Thompson and Pat Nevin join me for this last highlights show of

the year. A poignant start tonight. Six years ago yesterday the

Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell died on the pitch during a match

with Dundee United. It was always going to be an emotional day for all

involved with Motherwell Football Club. They were at Firhill to play

Partick Thistle. Commentary comes from John Barnes.

Alan Archibald makes only one change to his starting line-up. Stephen

O'Donnell returns at full-back in place of Jordan McMillan.

Francis-Angol is back in alongside McFadden, so John Sutton is on the

bench. And Partick Thistle get an early

lead! He scores against his old club. Craig insisted on a plate for

Lawless. Terrific save their by the

Motherwell goalkeeper, Twardzik. It is Lawless again, looking for his

second. A good start for Alan Archibald.

And Motherwell equalise! It's their captain, Leslie. Excellent skills

from James McFadden. And good awareness to spot Leslie on the run.

It is blocked away by Twardzik again.

And Francis-Angol puts Motherwell 2-1 in front! And it's his first

ever goal for the Fir Park club. He slots it away with his least

favoured foot. A deft flick from James McFadden,

increasing Motherwell's lead. Back in the starting line-up and on the

scoresheet for the second time this season. Good hold-up play from

Anier. Pick should have done better but McFadden was there to pounce. --

Piccolo. Great strike from James McFadden,

tried to catch out Scott Fox. The keeper was up to the challenge.

Thistle were looking for a penalty as the Motherwell players slid in.

The referee says no. A good effort from another former

Motherwell player. Twardzik, once more, doing well to turn it over.

Ainsworth! That is number four for Motherwell. Ainsworth's third goal

in three successive matches. Partick Thistle, caught out at the back

again and this time, Lasley the provider, Ainsworth with the finish.

A good day out for the Motherwell supporters.

Scott Fox, happy to grab that one, but McFadden, returning to something

like his best this afternoon. Once again, Partick Thistle are

punished at the back! Slack defending there. Not keeping his eye

on the ball, and Sutton, the substitute, scored his ninth of the

season. Scott Foxton eyes Ainsworth. --

denies Ainsworth. This will be their biggest win in the new top-flight.

I thought we were a bit fortunate to go in at half-time 3-1, Thistle had

a really good go and played some good stuff first half, but we showed

a good deal of character and some good football to take the lead and

then go ahead. Second half, it was a case of hip on the break. Very

disappointing to start the going so well, we were looking good, and then

it was bad decision-making. I think, try and keep going, but we don't

really organise and there are mistakes for the goals as well,

individual errors. It was a big day for Motherwell and

a fantastic win. It was great to see James McFadden playing like that

again. Absolutely. I would argue he is the most talented footballer of

his generation for Scotland. He gets this from a throw in, there is

nothing on here at all. He has such vision. He wasn't looking, he is

absolutely sure that Lasley will make the run. They have known each

other since they were young, but he is learning the intelligence side of

the game. When he sees the gap, and that is one hell of a gap between

the centre backs! We will get back to that later. But we're now seeing

him the way he was. Very few players think of scoring from throw ins.

When he looks fit, and his knees are fine, he is a joy to behold. That

was the James McFadden of old. He is a sensational talent. I spoke to him

last week in the tunnel, he was despondent, he hadn't got on, but it

just shows you, a week in football is not a long time at all. Hopefully

that gives him the shot in the arm he needs because if it James

McFadden is a real asset. You alluded to some poor Partick Thistle

defending. Let's look at it at more detail. One of those guys has got to

get in there. Get in, close down the space. No one is going near him. And

you can't do that at this level. Here, it's very simple. They it

inside, just don't lose the ball. Because Ainsworth is sneaking up the

back there, and he isn't so much space, so you can't take chances if

you are the final man. You certainly don't pass it to Lasley, he is

having a great season. I can't really speak about this, any ideas?

I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say he lost the ball

in the floodlights! This one is interesting. 18 metres between the

defenders, that amount of space, you wouldn't get that very often. You

are generally looking to get a yard of space, not 18 yards! Alan

Archibald was disappointed with the defending. Partick Thistle on

getting the services of Lyle Taylor, a good signing? Definitely, he got a

lot of goals for Falkirk last season. He plays on the shoulder, he

may be the missing link for Partick Thistle. They face Celtic in the New

Year. Next we're off to McDiarmid Park where goal-shy St Johnstone

were up against Dundee United. The last Saints goal had come in

November. In contrast Dundee United had been goal crazy in recent times,

but their superb run of form had come to a shuddering halt with

defeat to St Mirren on Boxing Day. Commentary comes from

Edwards found room for the shot. He made a difference when it came off

the bench against Celtic and he is off to us rightly start here. -- ace

rightly start. That is a penalty! And that was also

a red card. He wasn't convinced the header was reaching the goalkeeper.

He had a towel, it wasn't much, it was enough for a dismissal early on.

Stevie May scores his 15th of the season. And St Johnstone are ahead

against their rivals. He doesn't look too pleased, he

should be! It was hooked off the line by Andy Robertson. A towering

header, the keeper was beaten. That was a good effort from the St

Johnstone midfielder. It was really good build-up, quick passing and

movement. Looking for a response from his

team, Jackie McNamara. It's grammar clear by Dundee United.

-- scrambled clear. They are happy at the moment to be still in the

game under real pressure. That was close from Wilson! Good

effort from the full-back am just moved to much, I think.

The shot from the former Partick Thistle man, always rising.

Running a long way with the ball, David Wotherspoon, and a stinging

shot at the end of it. Steve May scores again! It has gone

right through the goalkeeper, it is a double for St Johnstone. He should

not really have been scoring from that position. The goalkeeper was at

fault as well as the defender. Good ball from Nigel Hasselbaink.

Agonising! He not that across goal, but there was just too much on it

for Steve May to make contact on the hat-trick hunt. Stephen Anderson.

He can set up Steve May! Hat-trick for the 21-year-old Saint Johnstone

striker. It is his 15th goal of the season. We started the game really

well and I just hope the performance is not undervalued because of the

sending off because I thought we were by far the better team up to

that stage. We emphasised the point that we wanted a high tempo game,

press them high up the pitch, and we did that, but I thought we also

played some good football. For me, that is a disappointing thing, the

concentration, the decision-making at times, to get the penalty in the

first instance for me was per decision making. It was a fantastic

victory for St Johnstone. How big was the sending off and was the

right decision? It is a game changer, a sending off is always

going to be a huge point in a game and for me it is a sending off,

without a doubt. He has his hand on his shoulder and at the last-second

peoples and back. It is a definite sending-off and unfortunately it is

a goal-scoring opportunity. Pat, do you agree? No option whatsoever for

the referee, so well done. Ten men, eight changes, away from home, not

much of a surprise. It is all about how you react. A lot of the talented

Dundee United youngsters were on the bench for various reasons. Lots of

scouts in the stands would have been disappointed. They did see Steve May

scoring a hat-trick. How difficult will it be to keep hold of him in

January? There will definitely be people looking at him. That was his

15th goal yesterday, after his hat-trick. He has a bit of

everything, he has been pivotal for St Johnstone. He can turn on either

fruit. Good finish. He has been a big player for St Johnstone and they

will be having to fend off teams because he has been sensational. He

has really lit up the Premier League. The only thing that has made

him bad in some peoples eyes is his unorthodox look and style. He looks

bulkier than he actually is, he is really quite quick. He is quite

scruffy but he is a superb player. Let us talk about Dundee United.

People were surprised when Saint Mirren turned them over. Thanks.

People will be saying the bubble has burst. Not at all. They have lost

two in a row, seven goals conceded and two sendings off. But before

that they were absolutely superb. It is just a wee blip and they have too

much talent in their squad. Plenty of us looking forward to the Dundee

United clash against Aberdeen. Aberdeen were playing Ross County

yesterday. A few changes to the says, with Mark Reynolds replacing

Russell Anderson. Barry Robson was dropped to the bench. As for Ross

County, despite their recent struggles, they had never ever lost

to Aberdeen. In fact one of their three victories was to Aberdeen in

October. There is not many better ways to

announce your return to the team than taking a free kick like this.

Nicky Low making virtually the entire stadium jump as Aberdeen took

the lead in just the second minute of the match.

And just ten minutes later it got even better for Aberdeen, when Peter

Pawlett was brought down in the penalty area. Good skill, no doubt

about the decision. Scott Vernon took the penalty responsibility, it

was a fine save from Michael Fraser to keep the score at 1-0.

Scott Vernon promptly got over his disappointment for another goal. And

the turn but the short distance -- good turn but the shot drifted wide.

Ross County had made changes from the side that lost to Hibs. They

were calling for a penalty and they might have had a case with the way

Mark Reynolds's handmade contact with the ball. Nothing was given and

Aberdeen were causing problems again for the side second bottom of the

Premiership. Scott Boyd deflected Niall McGinn's cross against his own

post. Some need play set up another Aberdeen chance. For once, Niall

McGinn's aiming was off. Overall, Aberdeen were the better side, as

they geared up for the New Year new firm derby. Cameron Smith with a

shot saved as it finished 1-0. I felt we were in total control of the

match. I was really enjoying watching my team played today. We

have been wasteful of good opportunities, getting into good

areas, and we have been there before. Missed penalties have come

back to bite us and thankfully it did not today. We did not do well

enough offensively today. Defensively, we kept their good

players quiet, and they are a very good side. Deserve to be where they

are in the league. It has been a difficult start to the season for us

and we are just having to hang on in there and trying to replace and

taking players in January. Nicky Low with his first league start. Also

his first senior goal in football and what a strike it was. Wreck to

Reef Derek McInnes's side halfway through the season, what you make of

this? -- a victory for them. He has been sensational. He has got a real

positivity about the club that had been missing. Big crowds coming to

the game, 11,000, semifinal of the, but it will not be enough for Derek.

He will see this as the start of his journey. Let's look at the report

card so far. Makes for pretty impressive reading. Played 19 games,

35 points, and have won 11 of them. What do you make of those? Superb

but not surprising in anyway. Aberdeen have underperformed for so

many years but I think a lot of people within the game looked at

them and thought, you got lucky getting him because he was very

unfortunate with what happened to him down south, many other teams

were interested, I think it took a little while to convince some

supporters but I think almost all of them are on board now. So many

people are looking forward to the derby between Dundee United and

Aberdeen, how do you see that going? It will be brilliant, cracking game,

3-3. I just want both teams to play at their best. If Dundee United play

at their best, this will be some game, if this little blip continues

it will be great. It will be goalless. Plenty more to come and

with New Year dear, up 1% of pictures -- a lot of fixtures are a

small while away. Some mouthwatering derby day

matches. After the horror show start to the

season, Kilmarnock had turned a corner in recent weeks. They made it

three wins out of four games. They were back in the capital to face

Hibs. Another victory would bring them level on points with the Easter

Road side. Hibs unchanged from their victory in

Ross County. They seek Terry Butcher's first home win. Kilmarnock

defeated Hearts last time out. The manager names the same side that

took to the field at Tynecastle. Sombre moment of reflection at

Easter Road in memory of the youth player David Paul who passed away.

One-handed save from Craig Samson. Good early play from Hibs. Stevenson

with that in well. Was heading to the top corner. Paul Hanlon got

free! Hibs ahead after 12 minutes. Another header from a corner and

this time it is Paul Hanlon. Kilmarnock would have been aware of

the fact that Hibs had scored from two corners against Ross County.

Hibs gather through Stevenson. Forcing the save from Samson. Lewis

Stevenson picked up on this clever little ball. He tested Craig Samson.

What a great run from the midfield from Scott Robertson. The ball was

not dealt with by Kilmarnock. Rattled the bar and James Collins

could not get it back on target. Kris Boyd has scored in his last

four games, he will be disappointed with that effort.

Worth a shot. Foreword to Robertson. Good stuff from Hibs.

The referee was well positioned. He waves away the protests of the Hibs

players. That was clever from Paul Cairney.

Hibs will break, James Collins leading the charge.

Some good end to end stuff in this game. Out why to Lewis Stevenson.

Shown the inside, and that is a mistake as he cannot finish. 13

minutes to play. Lewis Stevenson rise and get the

goal! Only his second in just over 200 appearances for Hibs, he rounds

of the afternoon in style. Cracking strike from Lewis Stevenson. I think

we have had seven goals and seven different goal-scorers. Spreading

the goals around. I don't mind that. If they keep working hard then goals

will come and they certainly did today. They made it difficult for

us. We have got to defend the corner better in the first place, the first

goal, especially when you see the week before they scored two goals

from corners. It is a poor goal to lose. We are all starting to detect

slight evidence of the Terry Butcher difference at Hibs. What do you see?

Good organisation, particularly set pieces. We will have a look at what

they showed us last week. All the players sitting in that really tight

area but what what happens when the ball comes in, there is a marker on

the scorer. In actual fact, for all this, the same game, but when they

split, the ball comes in, there is still a marker on the scorer, so

this is about desire, yes it is a clever little trick, the same again

yesterday we know what is going to happen, they are going to go a

different way, just that bit of confusion but once again, there is a

marker Hathaway -- have a yard away. You need the desire to win

that ball and I keep on using the word desire and that is the perfect

word to describe Terry Butcher. That is what he has brought to heads so

far. Seems to be more conviction. Yesterday, a threat would have been

Kris Boyd and Chris Johnson and clearly that was snuffed out.

Definitely, in the last five weeks they have been in top form, main

players for Kilmarnock, and Hebburn and managed to snuff them out. In

terms of Terry Butcher bringing organisation, you can see that

coming through. The battle is getting into the top six. Yes, they

need to score more goals, looking better now, the most important thing

is, 16 goals they have lost this season, only Celtic have lost fewer.

Next we're off to St Mirren Park where Steven Thompson's side were

hoping to carry on where they'd left off after their superb 4-1 victory

over Dundee United on Boxing Day. Just the one change to the team with

Danny Grainger coming in for Kenny Mclean. And St Mirren's chances of

another home win looked pretty good as they were up against the side

rock bottom of the Premiership. Hearts had lost their last five

matches. The only bit of real good news for

Hearts was that their last two wins had both come away from home. With

the story of the match in Paisley, here's Brian McLauchlin.

Steven Thompson has had no problem in finding the net. He gives Saints

the perfect start after three minutes. The Hearts defence in a

real model. -- model. His 11th goal of the season. The former Scotland

striker almost set up a second for the Saints. This is is through ball

to Naismith. His shot was parried away by McDonald, Granger just

failed to connect with the rebound. Hearts have lost their previous five

matches and scored just one goal but their equaliser is a contender for

goal of the season. Walker's Cross, initially cleared by the defence

only to Jamie Hamill. A thundering 30 yarder into the roof of the net.

Jim Goodwin has been in the news recently, he felt he had claims for

a penalty. The ball certainly struck the teenager, but not with intent,

thought the referee. Another chance for Thompson. Naismith with the

shot, Thomson's effort, just wide of goal. Jamie Walker has also had an

eye on goal this season for Hearts, this effort was also the wrong side

of the post, though. One final chance for Hearts in the final

minute stop substitute Smith with a run down the right, his cross met by

Pettersson only for the keeper to deny him. Both sides picked up a

valuable point. I thought today we made some poor

decisions on the ball at times, that was uncharacteristic of us. I don't

expect those mistakes from the group players we have. We never turned up

on Boxing Day, they were some choice words after that game and I think

the players responded in the right manner. It was important we put in a

performance for the fans. Whatever static strike from Jamie Hamill. It

has been a morale sapping few weeks for Hearts. How much will that have

meant for them? It's lovely that they can get that, but it won't help

them enough. It's the same thing every time, a bit of sympathy, not

pity, but simply because they are always having to deal with hard

times. But they never seem to give up fighting. You are absolutely

prolific it seems! We're going to focus on the man on the other end of

the pitch, Kello. He has been early on, he is making three, four,

top-class saves again. I know he is in contract talks with us at the

minute to renew his contract, if you are watching, hurry up ! You know

it makes sense! But he is a sub superb keeper. Some news for St

Mirren, Jim Goodwin has accepted a two match ban following this

incident on Boxing Day against Dundee United. St Mirren,

disappointed about Dundee United flagging this incident up on social

media, what is your take on it? The SFA will deal with it, they dealt

with it fairly lightly, two matches, it could have been a lot worse. But

there is no point to add fuel to the fire. It's been dealt with, it was a

terrible thing he did, no excuse at all. Anything to add? I thought that

might be the reaction. We finish with Inverness versus Celtic. The

reigning Scottish champions - and surely champions elect - have been

untouchable this season in domestic football. Top of the league and so

far unbeaten. For the largest part of the season they'd been pushed

hardest by Caley Thistle, but in recent weeks the Highlanders had

lost their grip on second place. How would they get on yesterday?

Commentary comes from Alasdair Lamont.

Bill Mackay is in fine form, eight goals in his last seven games.

Celtic make just one change, James Forrest coming in for Fisher stop

--. An early chance for Kris Commons!

Taken with some aplomb. A lovely 1-2 with Samaras, and a delightful

finish. Through the legs of the keeper. Celtic, within three

minutes, are in front against Caley Thistle.

Caley Thistle will look to respond quickly. That was done around, he

shot straight at Fraser Forster. A comfortable save in the end for the

England keeper. Stokes tried it all the way across

goal. -- dragged. I think he was looking to shoot there. John Hughes

and Lincolnshire in conversation, then that to get their side back on

level terms. Billy Mackay is usually so deadly in

that edition but on this occasion, his header was a rather weak one,

easy for Fraser Forster. That was a really powerful hit by

Shinnie. And again, Shinnie brings out a good

save from Fraser Forster. He has looked at Caley Thistle's most

potent threat, the full-back. Kris Commons was nipping in front of

the defender, almost clipping in the second goal of the afternoon. Good

movement from the front man. It almost came off. He has looked

really lively, Kris Commons. This was really good intelligence, just

an inch or two to five. -- too high. Brown flashes it wide. It was a

lovely Celtic move. Allowing for all, almost producing their second

goal. -- flowing football. It was worth a try, the ball was

moving. Straight into the arms of a grateful

Brill. Good play by Stokes. Brown didn't have the accuracy.

How did he miss that! Linesman's flag was up, but almost a dream

debut. He wasn't offside, Christie. Disappointed to lose a goal so early

on and after that put so much effort into the match and come away losing.

That is disappointing, but in terms of ball retention, passing it, very

good. Celtic knew they were in a game. We were off to a great start,

that seemed to settle us down a bit, but going forward, we could have

done better with the amount of the session we had. But six clean sheets

in a row domestically, we are playing very well. It was a good

start from Celtic. We're going to focus on the good and maybe the

slightly bad that we noticed in this match. Even historically, Celtic are

always good at intricate play through the centre of teams, even

back in the 80s. When Collins is involved, they always are. --

Commons. That is the oldest one in the book. But look how many players

test taken out of the game, four players have. It is intricate, quick

play, step overs. Countless Celtic teams have done it over the years. I

love watching them do that but it always has that guy Kris Commons

involved. A slight disappointment they didn't score more goals

yesterday. We're nit-picking now, but some of the defending at times

could have been tighter. Six and a half games since they lost a gold

domestic league. But if you do turn off, you pay for it eventually. Look

at Ambrose, he has just left him. It's a free header. Again here, back

post, three players, massive chance. Last minute of the game as well. I

have seen this creeping into the game and eventually will affect them

and it did against the much but it seems in Europe. Having said that, I

suspect they might still win the league! Your side face them soon.

Yes, on Sunday. It's always a very difficult game against them,

considering they have six clean sheets it's a difficult task. I

always enjoy the games against Celtic, a bigger atmosphere. It will

be a tough test for sure. A shocking incident in this match, I couldn't

believe this. This was a pushing incident on the referee. Crawford,

not very happy about it. I just can't believe it! It's funny, but it

would never crossed my mind to push the referee over. It's hilarious, he

has just pushed him over. Could have been a red card! It was like Paolo

Di Canio! I don't think so, I think the players within his rights here.

Get out of the way, I need to close him down! Emits me, I would push him

out of the way. -- if it was me. He is in my way, you shouldn't be

there. Get out of the way of the play. Did you ever do anything like

that? No, but I would have. The most important thing is you stop the

goal, you do whatever you can. That's why the referee didn't book

him. As he knows it's not deliberately offensive, nasty

thing, he's only trying to slow the way down. You are looking at me... !

Done it. Controversial stuff. The final table looks like this.

From everyone here, have a happy Hogmanay. Until next year, good

night!