04/08/2013 Sportscene

new season, new titles, and a new name. The SPL has gone, in comes the

Scottish Premiership. With me to review the first chapter, Michael

Stewart and Stephen Thompson. If this season is anything like last

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds

season, we should have plenty to predicting the demise of Scottish

football but still plenty to get excited about. Fans of every club

with hopes and dreams of good times to come. Coming up tonight: Ross

County out to persuade the champions that they are up for it. Saint

Johnstone and Heart of Midlothian squared up in Perth. The goalkeepers

provided the Friday night thrills at Firhill. Controversy as Inverness

Caledonian Thistle hosted St Mirren. Difficult watch for summer Easter

Road. -- some fans. Celtic ran out 16 clear of the rest last season and

few are betting against the similar outcome this time. Neil Lennon's

team welcomed Ross County. Derek Adams's site exceeded all

expectations last season. Two based at their second season in the top

at their second season in the top unfurled for the 44th time in

Celtic's history. It is a debut for Derk Boerrigter. There is no

Georgios Samaras. Neil Lennon will hope to have him back for the

Champions League. Five debut players. They all start for the

What a goal that is. Darren Maatsen, the new signing, silences Celtic

Park will not one blast of his right boot. In off the underside of Fraser

time it is Celtic's new boy from Ajax. What about the ball from Kris

Commons got the winner in Champions League qualifying in midweek. He

will take the corner himself. Ross County cannot get it clear. Shout

for handball not given and Anthony Mikael Lustig. His effort came off

the post. Anthony Stokes was on hand. The Irishman will feel a lot

better getting his first goal of the well have to go off now, Derk

Boerrigter. Just beyond the 30 This is life post-Gary Hooper. He is

are pounding the Ross County it has been Celtic. Exerting their

pressure again. It was though not upended. It is a free kick in a very

good area. The challenge from Tony Anthony Stokes! No penalty, says

Willie: -- Willie Collum. It certainly looks like a penalty.

winner. They have got it! Anthony Stokes with his second of the

afternoon. The champions have come from behind to lead and will surely

begin their title defence with victory. Anthony Stokes break the

hearts of the Ross County players. The build-up play was fantastic. We

have hit the post, worked the goalkeeper, Anthony Stokes, Kris

Commons could alter goals. Even if it had been a dry would have been

happy. -- a draw. I thought the first goal that Celtic got where we

do it -- was a wee bit fortunate because they handled the ball.

Overall, not too disappointed. The season starts next week. Some

controversy there. Derek Adams referring to the handball. I think

looking at it you could understand. When you see the replay it gets the

underside of his hamstring area, then it dropped stone for Mikael

Lustig to have an attempt at goal. will take those all day long.

did you make of this? Definite penalty. He barged into his back. He

has a very good view of it, the referee. You can see him coming

across. It is a penalty. Fantastic start for Ross County. Dream start

for Darren Maatsen. What a debut. I read after the match he has never

hit a goal like that. That makes two of us. An incredible strike. Fraser

Forster did not have time to react. Two minutes into your first game.

What should we expect from Ross County? Much of the same. Very

hard-working team, they were excellent at home. I think Derek

Adams has said the players he has brought in will help them be more

dynamic going forward. I would expect them to be good again.

are heavy favourites for the Premiership. How important is it

that they strengthened? I think Neil Lennon has been on record saying he

is desperate to strengthen the team. In terms of forward areas, Anthony

Stokes, he has got two goals, he was a real threat. He was a big mess for

them. He will come in and help out. Neil Lennon will be looking to add

to that partnership. Saint Johnstone have started the season with plenty

of gusto, blazing a trail in Europe. A welcome Hearts side that

start the season a 15 point deduction after going into

administration, but the fans have rallied. 4000 hearts fans

travelled. Tommy Wright started with Stevie May up front alongside

Stephen McClain as the home side looked to win their first opening

fixture in the top division since 1975. In front of a large travelling

support, Hearts lined up with Danny Wilson at centre back and Jamie

The referee was in a good position. Stephen Anderson stretched out, got

a couple of touches on the ball. Ryan Stevenson went down. Hearts

were looking for a free kick. It was certainly outside the box. It did

the coroner regulation marquee finds it. St Johnstone ahead after 25

minutes. He went over to consult and you can clearly see he says goal.

The offside goal -- legislation has changed in the close season. There

was a movement towards the ball. Lovely acceleration and curl into

the corner. He gets the opening goal and it is a cracker. Certainly worth

-- Hearts, being pushed further back. What a job Gary Locke has.

Claude over the top by Jamie MacDonald, he will be a busy boy

this season. -- clawed. Tommy Wright will be happy enough. His team are

across. Great delivery. The header McCarthy who fell. Was it his arm or

his chest? It came off his chest. Well worth the shout from the St

Johnstone players. The slip was unfortunate but did not lead to any

more dire consequences. It was Wilson who was back for hearts. They

their first five in the SPL. Stevie May should have slid it back. A

chance for Stephen Maclean. That would have wrapped it up. They have

not put hearts away -- Hearts away yet. Good partnership. Did not slip

back to his partner. Deflected wide and headed off target. We have a

Young's award and we will get days like today when we are frustrated.

We did not do enough in the final third of the pitch. If we get the

decision and it finishes nil nil, that is it. We have tried to be

positive. Everything we have done, we have tried not to be negative,

playing teams in Europe that are mid-season. The players have bought

into it. A slight bit of controversy over the cold. The fever website

says movements or making a gesture which in the opinion of the deaf and

the deceives or distracts an opponent. Even that, issued this

goal have stood? It's good that clears it up! The laugh. I do not

think it actually stopped his movement. It is all quite clear that

it is one fluid movement from Jamie MacDonald. He clearly sees

Wetherspoon but I think it was the right decision to keep that goal.

Was the keeper distracted? I do not think so. By the letter of the law

he does with his boot towards the ball which might catch the eye of

the keeper. I would question whether it was a short order across and

should they ruled out. It definitely was a goal. You are at McDiarmid

Park, how impressed were you nice and Johnston? I was very impressed.

Down the right ear was a good partnership with Mackay and Miller.

The two Stevie 's upfront, the two of them linked up really well with

each other and with the rest of the team. Pall Mall has played with

Stevie McLean and he will tell you he is a fantastic links layer.

Here's a very underrated player. He has failed intelligence and links

the play so well. Here's a massive layer for St John's in. I have got

to ask you about hearts. From what we saw today, Saint Johnstone were

the better side. They put hearts under real pressure from the off. It

was a difficult and frustrating day. There will be a lot of Hearts fans

going home disappointed. It is up to put Audrey next where the results

source of renewed optimism. Kilmarnock have got a promising new

manager. Could he bring some of the magic that he brought to Queen Of

The South to the Scottish The South to the Scottish

premiership? Over 13,000 inside the premiership? Over 13,000 inside the

tawdry. The danger perhaps that the hope would go unfulfilled. Craig

Samson with the save but the ball stayed in play and from the tightest

of angles johnny he's made it 1-0. He secured his lease in Scottish

football history. The first ever goal-scorer in the Scottish

premiership. Could kill Marnoch respond? The almost dead after a

quick free kick just after the half-hour mark. The Kenzie screwed

his short wide of the post. Along with the new faces Aberdeen have

retained last season's top goal-scorer. He teed up he's on the

wing who crossed for well below flood to head Aberdeen into a 2-0

lead. Flood a key addition to the Aberdeen ranks. The mass ranks of

Aberdeen fans enjoying the spectacle. Flood then showed his

combat is instincts. His options were limited awards the call but

Josh McGuinness was brilliantly picked out however he failed to hit

the target. I use full colour Marnoch side were looking

second-best but they needed Kris Boyd to give them some hope. There

were some rather unkind chants from the Aberdeen fans that he resembled

as a more wrestler. -- Su Mo wrestler. For many, Aberdeen have a

big chance of doing something this season. He's almost restored

Aberdeen's weed. Apart from Celtic, for many Aberdeen is potentially the

strongest squad in the division. This man should good race but there

was a great block. The bar was rattled as Aberdeen underlined the

claims to win this match. With Chris Lloyd upfront, kill Marnoch remained

a threat. How Aberdeen's top goal-scorer from last season would

have loved to have gone off the mark with a goal in this game. Flood gave

him a chance at it went astray. Still, Aberdeen went home with three

points. What did you take out of it today? Just the way the boys kept

going. The second-half performance, some of the chances we catered

weren't really positive. This is a team who were still jelling.

Although one player started today who played in the closing game of

last season. Yes, look at the players we have lost, it is going to

be a building job. Remember there are longer highlights on the BBC

sport website. Aberdeen have made a lot of eye-catching signings. They

do look stronger. Flood caught the eye yesterday. How impressed at you

with him? Here's a good layer. I plead with him in Cardiff. Here's a

driving force in midfield. He is so nations and has already on the ball.

He sees battling quality here. If there is a bouncing ball to be won

in midfield you can guarantee he will win it. Here's full of energy.

When he plays well Aberdeen will play well. In terms of Kilmarnock,

Allan Johnston out of the helm, we should mention Flood again. This was

a wonderful finish. He needs to do more of that, he had at the energy

to do so. I would like to see him score more goals. A lot of

youngsters in the team yesterday, Allan Johnston comes with a great

reputation from Queen of the South but how difficult will he find it at

goal Marnoch? There has been a big turnaround in the playing staff that

Kilmarnock have got. It was a tough game to start going away to a strong

Aberdeen side. Do you think he will still be looking to make additions

to his squad? I think so. He has managed to sign up Kris Boyd again.

It is definitely the need for a strengthening of the squad at goal

Marnoch. Interesting times ahead for both sides. Back to the premiership

in a moment. Plenty of food all coming up from the BBC. On Wednesday

the champions league third-round qualifier, second leg with Celtic.

Then next weekend chapter two of the Scottish premiership will unfold for

your very eyes with sports scene result at four: 30 on BBC Two. And

next Sunday we are back with a second week of highlights at ten:

25. Novak to the food all this evening. Partick Thistle and in the

top flight of Scottish football once again. The match with Dundee United

played on Friday night and the return to Firhill for Jackie

McNamara and Simon Donnelly. This'll opened up with witty much the team

that won then the league formerly known as the first division. His

predecessor at Firhill has taken Jackie McNamara with him to Dundee

United. There were three players making their debuts and good Willie

is back on loan. Fraser on loan from Bolton. The 19-year-old with a

corner kick. Down goes Taylor. He is looking for a penalty. He left the

does not have replays but if he did he might have seen some serious

grappling going on there. Keith Watson's cross. Good Willie! Great

save. Taylor Sinclair with the flow. Lawless is lively. That is a lovely

ball. In again. It is merely an own goal. -- almost an own goal. Watson.

Good ball. The keeper has got the better of the strikers. That would

hefty challenge. In goes Elliott. The tackles are flying in now.

Stephen is brought down by Lawless. This looked a nasty one. Not even a

free kick given. You can just sends the temperature being turned up

inside Firhill. This is Butcher lunging in against freezer. He did

not like it. This'll do not like it and delete Thomson has got some

sorting out to do here. He flew into the challenge did the 22-year-old

central defender on his debut. Is it going to be yellow? In from or

Donald. The flexion. Readers Baird! In and around the six yard. Good

play and good awareness. Baird cut setback. " Butcher, no penalty. No

further punishment either for another lunge from richer. --

Butcher. Were you happy with that? We wanted all three but we were

happy that our energy levels were there. We were unlucky maybe not to

steal the winner. It was a great game with a deal fizz about it

despite the lack of goals, how impressed were you? I think it was a

good advert for premiership football. Both teams wanted to play

football and it was a good spectacle, minus the fact there were

no balls. Some good shots of those crunching tackles. This seemed to

really spark things off. You can see this was a straight leg tackle quite

high above the ball. That is probably the least dangerous of them

all. That one is a real cruncher. I think that, there is no doubt that

is a straight red card. Should he have in sent off? For me it is a red

card offence. You cannot leave the ground and go over the ball. That

was an extremely dangerous tackle. Does that make you wince? I'm not an

ex-pro but it does make me wince! I do not want to dig him out but it is

too bad challenges by the boy and I think he needs to tone it down a

bit. It made for a good spectacle. The defences were so far off the

pace, it was a thankless task for the midfield. They had a huge area

to cover. It was end to end stuff. It made for a really enjoyable

spectacle. How do you see Partick Thistle faring? They will do really

well. They look really well-organised, great team spirit.

They will do well. In terms of Dundee United, how do you see them

finishing? A lot of it will be how Goodwillie comes on. If he hits the

goal trail it could really propel them up the league. Just to clarify,

Steven Thomson does still play. Steven Thomson does still play.

Every season it seems as if Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager

Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Terry Butcher has to rebuild his

team. Every season, he manages it. Last season was pretty memorable, as

they missed out on a place in Europe narrowly. St Mirren was a case of

highs and lows, finishing second bottom in the league but the glory

of that league cup. Danny Lennon's side in the Highland capital. Close

to taking the lead with skipper Jim Goodwin fancying his chances from

the free kick. He was not far away either. While the visitors were

inches away from going ahead towards the end of the first half, they fell

behind early in the second. Inverness Caledonian Thistle went on

the attack. It resulted in the referee pointing to the spot. Billy

McKay's knock-down was there for the taking for James Vincent but the

referee blew the St Mirren player for blocking the shot with his hand.

-- booked. James Vincent opted for the casual approach and got his

first goal for the club since his hoping to put that spell behind them

but it did not quite pan out that way. Straight from the restart they

found themselves in more trouble. Ross Draper set up another attack

for the Highlanders, which Danny Grainger tried to deal with. It

ended disastrously. The goalkeeper was under pressure from the short

backpass. He passed the ball straight to Aaron Doran, who made it

2-0. It was not a great afternoon for the keeper, on loan from

Swansea, as he was beaten again. Much to the delight of the home

team. David Raven's teasing costs will -- teasing cross was

beautifully fixed in -- flick them. As if the scoreline was not bad

enough, remember that yellow card? He received another one and was off

with ten minutes to go. Difficult for St Mirren, but a great start for

for St Mirren, but a great start for Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Delighted with this good performance. In the second half they

were ruthless, came out of the traps well. They really approach that very

strongly and very well in the second half and got two goals very quickly.

The third one followed soon after, The third one followed soon after,

and it was over then. Within 60 minutes of the restart there was a

big decision. It went against us. The players in their felt very hard

done by. These things are part of the game. We let that affect us. It

was the biggest disappointment. Steven Thompson involved in that

game. In your other role, should the defender have been yellow carded?

Definitely not a yellow card and definitely not a penalty. I'm

obviously going to say that, but the ball does strike his hand but his

hand is in behind his body. Not only that, he is only one foot away. How

can he possibly react? How can it possibly be deliberate. I agree with

him. You can see that his arm is away from his body. If the ball had

hit that it would be an argument. But it hit the harm that is across

But it hit the harm that is across his body. A decision. What are St

Mirren expecting from this season? We had a game plan going up to

Inverness. It worked very well until half-time. It limited them to very

few chances. We need to stop giving goals away. You cannot legislate for

the first one. The second one was cheap. It was a slack backpass. The

goalkeeper should have put his foot through it. We feel as though we

have a very good squad. We feel capable of mounting a challenge but

we need to put in work to rectify the sloppy goals that we are losing.

Typical day yesterday. Inverness Caledonian Thistle had a good

season. How good are they the season? The team had a very familiar

look to it. They brought in 11 players but there was only one

personnel change, Andrew shinny, who is irreplaceable. James Vincent

looks dynamic will stop the team itself did not look different. The

one thing you can guarantee, they will get goals. Top six finish for

them? I would suggest so. There has been lots of personnel coming in but

they still feel familiar. They will still mount a challenge for the top

six. We shall see. Finally, we head to Easter Road. After losing 9-nil

-- 9-nothing, Hibs were hoping to get themselves on some more sure

footing. Plenty of changes for Motherwell this time and they were

licking their wounds after a defeat Nelson and James Collins making

their debut. James Collins will play the main striker role. Motherwell

make one change following their handling by Ben Williams. Not a bad

connections to beat the goalkeeper. Not enough power, and Jon Sutton was

did not get the touch on it. He could not get the proper connection.

Stevie Hamill was chasing in, he did Stevenson. Through two James

Collins. As far as Robertson. Great effort. The volley there from Scott

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds

minutes from the end. The Estonian striker, there was an off-site claim

but he got in behind and beat Ben but he got in behind and beat Ben

Williams. A fine finish. Delighted with the victory. Once we settled

into the game we commanded it but did not create great chances. Some

of our players looked a bit weary. When you put substitutes on you ask

them to make an impact. Disappointed we did not get anything out of the

game. I thought we would get something but it is disappointing.

We dealt with a lot of stuff, really well. One long ball has outdone us.

There was a suggestion he might have been offside. It looked pretty

level. What did you think? I did not think it was offside. The goalkeeper

seems to go down, it makes his decision very easy. I do not know if

he put the goalkeeper. As you can see... This joint defence here. The

centre halfs crossed over. One long ball has caught out the whole

defence. That is not unlucky, it is pure defending. The defensive line

needs to be a lot straighter. He needs to be worrying. That was not

the threat. He got the finish brought a little bit but it goes

where he wants to put it. That became zero points for her burning

-- Hibs. How much pressure is he under? Serious pressure. It is the

new campaign, they need to be setting their sights higher than

just looking for one point at home. Five men in midfield, it becomes

repetitive, it was far too negative. It needs to be more open and

expansive. Unfortunately there is not that under Pat Fenlon.

important is the Edinburgh derby? Massive. Taking all the stuff away

from the stuff around the game, the Troubles, it is a massive game on

its own. When you add that to it. It is a huge game. Huge credit to

Motherwell. They have a huge season last season but they have lost a lot

of players during the summer. What do you make of the personnel

changes? They have lost five players who were on the team sheet every

week. They have replaced them with quality. It is a mark of the

manager's man management skills that he has integrated those players so

quickly. They have been incredible. Do you see them finishing second?

They will be up there. They have lost six of their starting team from

last season. He has done a great job to replace them, and I think they

will be up there again. Plenty happening in Scottish football.

Let's look at the back pages of tomorrow's newspapers. We start with

the Scotsman. They are focusing on the Edinburgh teams. A long, hard

season ahead. Both sides lose this weekend. The Daily Mail goes with

the Rangers story. Paul Murray has been trying to get back on the

board. The Daily Mail say that might not be able to happen. The Scottish

Sun. Ally McCoist has given quotes to that paper, saying Walter Smith

is holding the club together as the battle lines get drawn. Some

breaking news this evening from Rangers, BBC Scotland has learned

that Walter Smith is on the brink of quitting his post following days of

infighting at the club. He has already indicated that he will

definitely walk away if Ally McCoist is forced out. He might even go as

early as this week. What is your reaction to that? I think the

Charles Green personal attack on Ally McCoist was disgusting. He

should keep his nose out of football. Walter is the one person

at Rangers who the fans believe in. He is Rangers through and through.

It is going to be strange. Definitely. Charles Green should not