02/10/2011 Sportscene

Believe it or not, we're ten weeks into the season. For us it has gone

Stokes doesn't miss it. Now that's a finish. Jim Jefferies is no

longer the manager of Hearts. Lafferty is back. McKay and it's in

the back of the net! Derby delight for Hearts. That is impettious.

That is unorthodox. First blood for Rangers. He has found it. So ten

weeks gone and Celtic went to Tynecastle ten points behind

Rangers. Hibs assistants manager Billy Brown was back to watch the

game. For Neil Lennon, last season going there was grim and never dull.

Black thinks about the shot. Deflected goal. Ledley that, that

could be a bad tackle. The referee goes to his pocket and it is a

straight red. A perfect ball and a perfect finish or the Templeton. It

looked like a hand. It is Neil Lennon's turn to take the walk up

the tunnel. Hooper, 1-0. It should have been a red card. He's done it

again. Great skill, great goal, but a second yellow for Commons. He is

off. Here is the Hearts team Celtic return of Kris Commons, and El

Kaddouri. The best of the match with Paul Mitchell. Black sends it

through and Stevenson is in and forces a save from Forster. He was

played onside. Majstorovic gave him a yard and Stevenson almost made

Celtic pay. Back at Tynecastle, back on the touchline. Hamill

swings it in. Zaliukas and almost touched in by tempson. Ki makes the

block. -- Templeton. Not sure if Templeton got a touch. Ki blocked

he got the power on the header that he was looking for. Granger

presented it to Forest. Forest with ball. Majstorovic stretching out

there. The chairman watching on to make the save. The ball goes

behind. It is a good save from the in the SPL without conceding. But

they're on the back foot here. Commons from his left on to his

right and parried by Macdonald. Kris Commons comfortable to strike

with either foot. This time the right. Bangura with the shot. For

Hearts fortunately it goes over the top. Bangura controlled it well.

Mel grew against Stevenson. The ball goes for a goal kick. There

was an appeal for hand ball. Stevenson had his back to him. The

ball simply hit his hand. No great 15 minutes gone. The hero is Skacel.

Celtic didn't deal with the high ball. Templeton tumped it down and

Skacel diswatched -- touched it down and Skacel dis batched --

dispatched the ball. Commons has gone over the top and he is off.

What an easy decision for the referee Kris Commons was sent off

here in the 3-0 win in May goes down to ten men with the departure

of Kris Commons. And Stokes Stevenson, past the keeper and in.

Ryan Stevenson will wrap up the points for Hearts. Well he looked

offside, but it will be a different phase of play. Clever from

Templeton and calm from Stevenson. Mulgrew threw up an arm. But

Templeton's clever back heel. And Hearts lead by 2-0. Misery for

Celtic. There noise point in getting carried away, because we

beat -- there is no point in getting carried away because we

beat Celtic. We played well. But we can't just play like that today and

then in two weeks not apply ourselves in the same manner.

conceded a poor goal when we were on top. After half time we had

control of the game. My biggest bug bear about today is... The amount

of good chances we missed. We were flagrant in front of goal and away

from home, the longer the game is 0-0, you give the opposition

encouragement. I thraugts if we had got a goal it would have opened up

Heart. But the first goal changed the nature of the game and then we

lost our discipline. Or one player did. And let us down badly.

happy doesn't quite cover it for happy doesn't quite cover it for

Neil Lennon. That was your first time being back at Hearts since

being sacked by Hearts, did it feel strange? Yes I didn't think I would

be back as quick. We play Hearts in the League Cup and it was part of

my job to go there. It was Prebble better to get it over with. Does it

feel, do you feel better about going into the League Cup tie than

you would have done a couple of week ago, because of Celtic's

situation and Hibs? There has been a progression in our performances.

We looked good yesterday, although we got beat, it was a good step up

and every game we have got better. It gives you heart to take on

Celtic. Because you know, they're not doing as well as what they were

and we're on an upward climb. confirms that Celtic don't ring as

well. This was -- aren't doing as well. This was -- aren't doing as

well. This was an awful build up. Why master vich -- Majstorovic

didn't led that out of way. As soon as it drops to Skacel, he is a good

striker of the ball, there was only one place it would ends up in the

end. Stevenson may have been offside. But I think it is

clutching at straws for Celtic. He finished it well. Yes I don't think

Ryan, you can't blame the linesman for not getting I right. But great

play from Templeton and a great firn. Templeton's got that in his

locker. He's really good player. At that stage, much deserved. That

will do Paolo sench owe a lot of good. The Hearts -- Sergio a lot of

good. The Hearts fans think he has not set the place alight.

beating Celtic is a big result and he was under pressure today. When

you're at Heart and Hibs, you're under pressure to get results and

it will do him a power of good and he can maybe increase his lease on

his flat. Kris Commons made an impact for obvious reasons. But

early in the game, you saw why he brings Celtic to life at times.

He's good player. You know he is dangerous and got a good shot. He

has not played in the last few weeks. But today he did well. But I

mean what he did here, after his team going 1-0 down is crazy. And I

thought Neil summed it up well, he has let his team mates down. There

is 25 minutes to go and thrair well in the game at the time. After that,

they have no chance. There was a rare sighting of the Hearts owner,

I take its you were over exchanging pleasantrys with him. No, I never

had much to do with him when I was there and I don't intend to have

much to do with him now I have left. He was catching his private jet

back to Lithuania. I love the look on the face of security officer

there. The fear of doth was in her eyes. How sore are you about being

sacked by Hearts? I am not sore now. These things help you. Jim and I

done very well there. I showed Hearts a lot of loyalty in both

periods frplts I have been sacked there twice. In the crunch I got no

loyalty back. I'm not hurt about it. I was offered a good job with an

equally big club and I have got a burning desire to do well there.

And you know everyone's set up to do well. Rangers set out yesterday

to stretch their SPL run to nine in a row. But it was a visit to Ibrox

a year ago that gave Colin Calderwood his first win as Hibs

Calderwood his first win as Hibs manager. That is a peach into the

top corner. Colin Calderwood has an unlikely first victory as Hibs

manager. Hibs were back to face a Rangers change showing one change

from the win against Kilmarnock. A first start for bedo I ya. --

to Wylde. Stack came to meet him. It is the first sights of goal that

Rangers have had in the game. The last time Hibs came here, they one

game so far. Rangers have one man down. Heads are playing on ASDA has

been no was all. Sproule! -- Hibernian are playing on as there

was no whistle. Stack was the hero. Great ball from Kyle Lafferty right

through to the Croatian. Good first touch. Lafferty can certainly hit

them from here. Stack get rid of it. Didn't look as though it had that

much power in it. It is a slippy surface. Davies. Another great ball

through for Lafferty. Penalty! Stack was the offender. He has

denied Rangers a couple of times in the first half. In stoppage time of

the first half, he concede a penalty. It is Whitaker. Over!

Chance missed for Rangers right on the interval. In from Scott. He

will get a second goal. Still plenty to head. Hanlon! Unlucky.

Should have got that on target. Side net. This is all,. Onside.

Saved by MacGregor. Chance of the game for Hibernian. He scored

against St Johnstone midweek. He could not finish it today. Chances

like that don't come along too long in Glasgow for a visiting side. The

flag is up. The assistant referee says it does not count. Papac.

Hibernian are defending well. Gregg Wylde. Good ball in. Lafferty! 1-0

to Rangers. Moving into the final quarter of the game, nerves have

settled thanks to Lafferty's second of the season. Terrific ball from

Graeme wild. -- Greg Wilde. Rangers hoping to move 10 points clear of

Celtic. Looking for a second goal here that would surely clinch it.

This is Lafferty. Still plenty options there for him. Davies. Good

save by Stack. We have seen that several times throughout the match

for Graham Stack who has kept Rangers at bay. Not too clever that

time from Hibernian. Jelavic did not quite catch the shot as he

would have liked. Still does the one-goal advantage. -- just. Lively

from Gregg Wylde. Now Davies. Good ball. Jelavic is wanting to cut

ball. Jelavic is wanting to cut Losing 1-0 can probably never be a

great outcome, but can Hibernian take some encouragement from that?

Without doubt. You can go to these places and the goalkeeper has to

play well to start with. In general, the team played fairly well. They

played with passion and pass the ball a lot. Rangers had some

chances, but they always will. We were really happy with yesterday.

You should not be happy getting beat, but this was a good

progression and the team played well. The goalkeeper has to play

well and Graham Stack certainly dead. If he does not play well at

Ibrox, you are in trouble. He did exceptionally well yesterday and

made some vital stops. Rangers will always have chances the way that

they play, getting the ball in the box a lot. 0 complaints about the

penalty? No. I was surprised about Whitaker, though. Complaints about

the defending? At that period in the game, we were getting deeper

and deeper. We knew that Gregg Wylde's left the would clots --

caused us a problem. We were under pressure. No complaints about the

goal at all for. You have to be pleased about the chances you

created at the other end. Good chances to score before they did.

We could have gone 1-0 up. MacGregor had some good saves. It

was a good header. Maybe we should have scored there. They have had a

lot of chances as well. I think Junior should have taken that

earlier than what he did. Decent save by the goalkeeper. At the end

of the day, Rangers probably deserved to win the game. We were

not unhappy with the performance. Losing at Ibrox is not a big deal

unless you are hammered and, but -- confidence is affected. Results

like the midweek one were probably more significant. You put three

goals past St Johnstone in their only away defeat this season.

Ian Johnston are a good team defensively. Hearts could not score

against them last week. Garry O'Connor can score a good cause.

Tell me about the dive. I know Derek McInnes was unhappy. He has

every right to be unhappy. It was a dive. He got a break there. It

proved to be the winning goal and that made Derek match. I would have

been the same for all stop there is a lot of talk about whether Garry

O'Connor should be back in the Scotland squad. Kenny Miller is

about. Can you understand why Craig Levein has not put him in that

squad? Certainly. Craig has been in touch and spoken to Gary. He has

come up here and is doing ever so well. Maybe he should just be left

at the minute. Whether he has to call him in if there are injuries,

I think he is there to do that. Let's just let him play, score the

goals you scoring and get his confidence back. He is doing that.

As the season goes on, I am sure he will come into contention for the

Scotland squad. Inverness were bidding to escape

bottom spot in the SPL. St Mirren were in the Highland capital.

Jonathan Sutherland can tell us was matched only by equally

atrocious finish as Inverness squandered an early chance to take

the lead. Andrew Shinnie set up Goran Messina. He would get another

chance here. Faint cries for handball, but nothing doing. Danny

Lennon hoping for a St Mirren chance to brighten up his rainy day.

Although it came from the head of a defender, St Mirren's first attempt

on goal was unable to be kept out by the goalkeeper. With just over

half an hour played, Inverness equalised with a well-worked goal.

Andrew Shinnie finish things off here. -- finished. The former

Rangers player with his first goal of the campaign and things level.

It was a man of the match performance from Andrew Shinnie.

Hitting the post here with the help of a deflection off Lee Mair.

Andrew Shinnie's shot here went into the net together Inverness the

lead, 2-1. And out of sorts St Mirren did have the ball in the

back of the net. A fine finish from Paul McGowan was ruled out for

offside. Danny Lennon later admitted some bearing did not

deserve a share of the points. Inverness get their second SPL when

I am not sure if he will score more goals. What do you think? He is

running of the ball and that is great. His finishing leaves a bit

to be desired. I think the goal that he got was really just his

distance. It came off his knee. It is all right combinations. If

somebody beside him complain of his running power, then Terry Butcher

will be even happier with him. He is doing all right. I think you

call that a right place, right time. Five I think so.

It is one thing starting the season strongly. It is another maintaining

momentum. That is what Motherwell wanted to do at Tannadice yesterday

against Dundee United. Paul options in the box. Lovely cutback.

Flood. Hayden has at chance for a second. The shot goes through the

goalkeeper. Michael Higdon gets gifted this one. Michael Higdon

still had plenty work to do. The keeper fumbles this threw his arms.

Right on the stroke of half-time, United have a lot better have

really given Motherwell all the encouragement they needed. That is

poor for the goalkeeper. United trying to find a way back into this

match. Decent cross from Garry Kenneth. Some shouts for handball.

The referee is in a good position. Jamie Murphy brings it away from

Motherwell. Murphy against floods. Great run. The goalkeeper comes out.

He spotted the pass brilliantly. United were appealing for a penalty.

Motherwell still controlling the match. Gary Kenneth trying to see

the ball out. Penalty. That is an easy call for Steven MacLean. Gary

Kenneth trying to use his size and strength to keep it away and has

conceded the spot kick. He had cover behind him. Michael Higdon

with a chance. An aborted dive by the goalkeeper. He knew he had gone

the wrong way. Simple penalty from Michael Higdon after 64 minutes.

Motherwell are thrilled. 3-0 lead for Motherwell. How do United's

respond? Smile on the face of the goalkeeper. I think he has faced

several of these in training. Stephen two decks and. That could

come back for Jon Daly. Jon Daly squeezes it in. Bringing Dundee

United back to life. Dixon always good at these times of runs. Good

finish. With 13 minutes to go, it runs off the face of clany. One or

two shoots for hand ball. Seemed to two shoots for hand ball. Seemed to

come off his body. Higdon was getting stick from the Motherwell

boo brigade, so those goals will do him some good. I think this one was

gift wrapped from Pernis. Good keeper errors I would say. One with

the boot and one with the hand. Higdon he is a regular for a team

that is third in the league and the Motherwell supporters will be a bit

harsh on him. They will be harsh on you if you call them third in the

league. They're second at the moment? He did that regularly for

St Mirren and maybe with more confidence he will weigh in with

the goals? We watched him a few times, we were going to go for him

or John Sutton. But we picked Sutton. He is a big strong striker,

he is difficult to mark and he is scoring. I'm sure Stuart's very

happy with him. Ten games, 19 points, Motherwell and your next

opponents after the international break. Yes we played them the other

week in the League Cup at Fir Park and it was an exciting game. It

could have been a game that ended in 6-6. I don't think defences were

on top. When you look at a lot of games this season, there have been

chances missed and you know we got through that night. And it gave us

confidence. And obviously they're playing well and I have seen them a

few times, they're a good side. So we will have to continue our

progress. Peter Houston said they didn't deserve anything from the

game. But they should have had a penalty. It was a ppblty, when you

consider the penalty St Mirren got against Kilmarnock last week and

they're denied that. Peter likes a pie or three after the game, but

that would have dented his appetite. At Rugby Park the meeting 06

Kilmarnock and St Johnston who have had most of their success on the

had most of their success on the Stephen aner e Der son was

Pennellised -- Anderson was penalised for holding back the

player. This could be an opportunity. It is knocked behind.

Dave Mackay has taken a sore one in the process. Shiels didn't look

favourite to get there, but he did and forced the save from Enckelman.

Pace from Sheridan and a good shot. A fine save and a block from

Craig's effort. That was confident play from Sheridan. Almost the

and it has gone St Johnston's way. A fine finish from a man in form.

Just poked through by Robertson and slotted beyond Bell. Pascali just

committed himself and exposed the needed to be on the line. Or else

they may have had an equaliser. Enckelman not covering himself in

glory there. Kilmarnock stepping up the search for an equaliser. What a

tkperoshes effort that was. -- ferocious effort that was. This one

didn't look on, but Enckelman wasn't getting there. Kilmarnock

looking far more positive now. Heifer Nan deflected wide. --

Heffernan deflected wide. Purposeful play by the striker. St

Johnstone have barely been in it wrists there by the keeper. Once

again Heffernan denied. It loops over the defender and away and

Kilmarnock do have the equaliser. Pascali claims it. I think this

will go down as an own goal off Steven Anderson. Nothing Craig

could do about it on the line. Enckelman too stranded. That is an

Anderson own goal. Heffernan is a thorn in the side of the St

Johnstone side. He may have been better taking that first time on

his left. Enckelman saved well. Kilmarnock picking up where they

left off at the end of the first half. There is Fowler. He may feel

he should have lit the target. It was a great block from Davidson.

Neatly by the Kilmarnock front men. Enckelman again equal to it. He has

got eight for the season Heffernan. What does he have to do to make it

from Bell. Poor marking, good header. Enckelman taking no chances.

Sissoko takes one and he lets St Johnstone in. Sheridan, can he

score? He can and St Johnstone back in front. And Sheridan makes it

four goals in three games. A cool finish after Sissoko's error. And

the Saints lead at Rugby Park. save by Cammy Bell. Almost his

save by Cammy Bell. Almost his second of the afternoon. BT A lot

has been made of the SAS partnership and they do link well

together. I think Derek has been looking for a partnership for a

while and I have seen them twice in the last week and they have been a

handful both times. Good movement, both strong. Both got good skill

and scoring goals. Appreciated by the management. The connection

between two goals were they were both from defensive errors, but the

finishing was clinical. It I like Gary Connor's finish against Dundee

United on his left from a bad angle. But he has done well there. He got

the goal against Heart and he is in good form. It is four in three for

Sheridan and those are good raish owes. When you have a good

partnership, while one is occupying the defence, the other is stealing

in to score. Yes it works. At the end of the season, St Johnstone

were struggling to score. Against us the other night they could have

scored another two or Three goals and so could we. But they're

dangerous and lively. There demois panic listen they get into a

scoring -- tr is -- there is no panic when they get into a scoring

position. Ian Murray was there and I don't think he would be happy

with that. Nor with that. A dodgy bit of facial hair. That is why the

centre halfs are keeping away from him. St Johnstone happy with a

share of fourth. 11 of their points have come on the road. Yes I think

on Wednesday it was the first goal they had lost away from home at

Easter Road. They're a good side and play good football. I have

watched them two or three times and they're a hard team to may against.

They're going to do well this season. I think we can assume

Aberdeen are fans of Friday night football after what happened

football after what happened against Dunfermline at Pittodrie.

And so the Friday Night Project begins and there will be plenty of

applause from the crowd at Pittodrie. Vernon putting the home

side ahead in the sixth minute. Foster with the cross, poor

defending and Vernon's header too strong for Paul Gallagher. It was

one way red coloured traffic and Dunfermline had a header wide. But

Foster would terrorise the Pars all night. So would Vernon. All

Gallacher keeping Aberdeen out. A long throw was partially repelled,

but his follow up cross found Vernon with the final touch,

probably from an offside position. But it stood and Aberdeen 2-0 in

front. Foster and Vernon combined to set up Fraser Fyvie for his

first goal since returning from injury. Aberdeen 3-0 up on the

stroke of half time. Friday night football not doing down so well for

Jim McIntyre. In the second half the one way traffic continued.

Arnson hit the post. And Fallon should have scored. A John porter

mistake then let in Vernon for his hat trickment but Gallagher

produced a fine save. And then there was ver none to claim his hat

trick. Give whran the season has served up -- given what the serve

has serve up so far, a remarkable has serve up so far, a remarkable

four nil victory. Are you a fine fan of Friday night football, or

will it interfere with your drink. Well if it gets a crowd in, it is

worth trying. I don't know if Dunfermline will vote for it. We

proposed it at Kilmarnock, but I don't think the police were happy

about it. I don't know if Friday night rates come in for over time.

Anything is worth trying. If we can improve the number that come to the

games. I think we should have a go. Myself, you're right, that is my

only night out. Aberdeen are behind it, that was an important win you

would imagine. And for Scott Vernon who has scored for them last season

with Maguire as a partner. And this is what he does so well. I think if

you play him up front on his own, it doesn't suit him. He is not the

quickest F you get the ball in the box and get it in the air, he will

attack them. And he is dangerous. You know, I think he needs a

partner beside him. So threfr signed Fallon and we have been

talking about partnerships, maybe that is giving him more freedom.

Yes I lope they don't click too well. They're in the same position

as us in the league. Not wishing anything afternoony and Craig, I

hope they're not as good. reality dawning for Dunfermline?

They are a point off the boot Tom - ebottom. It will be tough. But

maybe it will be tight as well? whole league is tight. There is not

lot between the teams. They have lost eight goals in two games. I

think that, I was talking to Jim today and they could have lost more

goals on Friday. I think their keeper had four saifrs. So I mean

it was always going to be tough. You come up a league and you don't

sail into it. But they have got a lot of lad there is a will fight

for them. I think they will do OK. You can see SPL highlights online

any time on our web-site. You can watch this show again on the

iPlayer. Two crunch matches for Scotland coming up. You can see