04/11/2017 Sportscene

St Johnstone lost 4-0 to Celtic

earlier. Tomorrow, Hearts against

Kilmarnock at Murrayfield. In the

Championship, Brechin City and

Dumbarton is 0-0.

To McDiarmid Park, where Celtic were

hoping to break their 100-year-old

British record for the most domestic

matches unbeaten. They were 62 not

out before facing St Johnstone, so

what happened?

This victory was the embodiment of

Celtic under Brendan Rodgers,

clinical and dominant performance.

Another Scottish opponent put to bed

in spectacular fashion. Sinclair

gave them the lead in the first

half, and they didn't look back.

Armstrong teed up Dembele for the

second before the interval. The pick

of the bunch was number four, this

century-old record was smashed at

the venue of their last defeat. 63

stick games unbeaten is quite an

achievement, as the British

benchmark was eclipsed. A 51st

league game unbeaten,

league game unbeaten, Rodgers's side

have scored 54 goals. The recordss

keep on coming. Thick. The Saints,

five defeat in six without scoring a

goal. Much to ponder as the

champions wallow in yet another

Rodgers record.

We will hear from

our experts shortly, but let's hear

from the managers. Brendan Rodgers

delighted to break that century-old

British record.

You look back to the

team that will you marry had. I had

grown up and been aware of players

from that era. That tells you the

level of the team, the quality of

that team. To break that record,

that was the point I said to the

players before the game, we want

three points, but it is also, we

have equalled our record that

another team has set, and it is

important for our ambition that we

can get out on our own. The only way

to do that is to win today, and we

want nothing more than a win. It

means everything. It's an incredible

feat by the players.

I have got to be disappointed,

conceding from a corner. We wanted

to keep it 0-0 for as long as

possible, and I thought we weathered

the early storm. The first two

goals, we got caught, and probably

the second goal, we shouldn't go

tight when it is a two against one

situation in the area. They have

better players, and they are better

all over the park, and icon to be

too critical of my players. For a

manager, they worked hard and gave

me everything.

Celtic record breakers. Brendan

Rodgers describing it

Celtic record breakers. Brendan

Rodgers describing it as a great

feat.

Phenomenal, do have that level

of consistency, to keep the standard

high, that is the most impressive

thing for me, to keep the levels

high. It was for such a long time.

Phenomenal. I saw the team he

picked, he picked a shoreside to win

the game.

Should our Bucharest, 104

games is the world record.

That

Link and read in school 88 games

unbeaten.

Unrivalled knowledge at!

Stuart, remarkable, but a redneck

for the rest of Scottish football.

I

don't know about that. In order to

assess how good an achievement this

is, and I agree with Steven, it is

the nominal, none of us have any

real insight into how good the

Celtic team that set the record had

Dean, because it was an era before

media and televised football. We can

only guess they were a decent team.

Even Brendan Rodgers, who is a

Celtic fan, knew very little about

the team, and knew them by

reputation. Measuring it by those

criteria, they have done something

that no one else has achieved in

Britain, and that has to be good for

Scottish football, and good for

Celtic.

Will Brendan Rodgers set his

sights on the Bucharest record?

What

a great goal, the first goal, 18

goal.

They didn't look as if they

were in top gear today, all were

vague?

Come on! They broke the

record.

The first half was a bit

stuffy, but no supplies that St

Johnstone didn't score.

This is

relentless, brutal... are you

allowed to intimate and bully

people...

Sam Johnstone, it has not

been the best spell for them Cash St

Johnstone.

I think we set that bad

record of six games defeated way

back in 2011, and obviously, this is

asked equalling our own bad record,

but that being said, where the

problem has been is that there is

not a goal in the team just now. I

have watch St Johnstone home and

away over the last few weeks, it is

pretty depressing. There isn't an

awful lot going on there at all. A

lot of things have happened to the

club, firstly, Steven MacLean, one

of our great players, historically.

Maybe he is ageing, he is less, kind

of, alert than he has been before,

Graham Cummins, our striker, hasn't

scored at all significantly this

season. O'Halloran is the top

scorer, but he is going into a

period of poor form just now. He is

a midfielder or wing are more than a

central striker. We have struggled.

Usually, St Johnstone's midfield,

whether that is Davidson, whether it

is Liam Craig, or David Wotherspoon,

they are good for four or five

goals, but none are scoring. If your

midfield are not scoring, or your

strikers, you won't score a lot.

First for a bounce around the

grounds. I will tell you what is

happening in Rangers against Partick

this or at Ibrox. Rangers were

cruising to victory, 3-0 up against

Partick Thistle. Graeme Murty's

second as interim manager. McCrorie

getting the scoring up and running

today. Candeias getting the second,

Windass putting Rangers 3-0 up a

couple of minutes into the second

half. Let's hear from Jonathan

Sutherland, he is watching Hamilton

against second placed Aberdeen, New

Douglas Park, it is definitely

Jonathan Sutherland.

Jonathan Sutherland.

1-1, but

Hamilton could be 3-0 up. They took

a lead through Dougie Imrie, a free

kick, left foot, flashing past Lewis

in the Aberdeen. Hamilton going

close here in... What a great chance

for Darren Lion, he rounded Joe

Lewis, but fires into the side

netting. Aberdeen have had the

better of it, but Hamilton could be

3-0 up after the Dougie Imrie goal.

Two great chances, the first was a

lobbed effort, which Joe Lewis

saved. The second was even better, a

quest from Greg Docherty, Templeton

decided to volley it first time,

when he could have taken a touch,

that blazed it wide. Hamilton

regretted that almost immediately as

Ryan Christie played through Greg

Stewart, who over the keeper to make

it 1-1. Entertaining stuff at the

super Seal Stadium, New Douglas

Park, if you prefer, Hamilton 1-1

Aberdeen.

Glancing out of the corner of my eye

on that, my impression is Hamilton

were unfortunate not to be ahead.

They have missed the few big

opportunities.

opportunities. Templeton especially

has missed three massive chances.

The goal they scored was a good free

kick from Dougie Imrie, but there

could have been a foul in the wall.

Who is the new striker they have

signed? Nudging into the side of the

war, it might have been a foul, but

it was a good free kick. Shinnie was

good for Aberdeen's goal, but it has

been a good game to watch.

Time to

hear from Jane Lewis, she is

watching Ross County against

Motherwell. Good afternoon Ross

County 3-1 Motherwell.

Ross County

haven't exactly been all over

Motherwell in the first half, but

they have put away their chances.

They have been clinical, they

welcome back their captain for this

one. He played a pass for the

opening goal, Michael Gardyne made

it 1-0 after 12 minutes. Motherwell

were trying to get back into the

match, Peter Hartley's header from a

free kick clipped the bar, Alan

McCrary was kept busy in goal. Ross

County added to their tally. A lot

has been talked about Keeler done,

he made it 2-0 before half-time. The

rebound fell to guard dying, who

grabbed his second of the afternoon.

Motherwell made changes, and the

half-time team talk would have been

a roasting, two changes, Eliot

Freedman Ryan Bowman came on, and

what a difference they make. Eliot

Freedman setup bowman, who headed

in, putting Motherwell back in the

game. Still a mountain to climb,

they still trail 3-1, so are they

back in or will Ross County hold on?

That is the question. Are Motherwell

back in?

They were excellent in the opening

period, Michael Gardyne was

unplayable.

Bowman coming off the

bench has got them back in the game.

I think Ross County will score

again. They have been so much on

top.

Plenty of entertainment for the

home fans, that is where they had

been struggling.

He will be

delighted with the way they have

played today, they have been

excellent. It should have been five

or six.

There has been another goal

at Easter Road 's. John Barnes.

Hibernian are now 2-1 in front. That

goal coming in the 63rd minute.

Simon Murray with his 13th of the

season, unlucky for Dundee, who came

back into this game. They lost a

goal after 63 seconds. Martin Boyle

scoring when he picked up the ball,

just ten yards inside his own half,

mazy run, feeble challenges from the

opposition, firing low into the

bottom right-hand corner of the net,

not the start Dundee wanted with

Elliot Parish between the sticks,

the former Aston Villa trainee,

taking the plays of Scott Bain, a

decision Neal McCann, he would not

discuss it. Apparently, he would not

pay a fine after a bust up with his

manager after the match with

Hamilton last week. Dundee was

bonded to going behind early,

because they got back on level

terms, Marcus Haber in the two 81st

minute with a fine header after a

good cross from the right-hand side

by Roarie Deacon. Early in the

second half, a terrific save by

Marciano kept out El Bakhtaoui. A

skirmish in the middle of the park,

a couple of bookings, Anthony Stokes

was booked, Ryan Porteous was

booked, both those players started

on the bench. There was a challenge

in the middle of the park in the

second period, and they got a yellow

card. A few seconds ago, Simon

Murray popping up, lovely ball in

from Stokes on the left, Murray was

there to volley it into the bottom

right-hand corner of the net. Hibs

2-1 up against Dundee.

A star performer dropped because of

dressing room disco, not what you

want when you are bottom of the

table.

Certainly not. There are

issues there. One of the issues I

feel about that, and I have never

been a professional footballer, and

the guys know more about this than

me, I don't like the idea of someone

being fined two weeks wages. I don't

mind a system of discipline, or what

ever. It seems to be the wrong way

to go around punishing someone for a

perceived misdemeanour.

Can you do

that in this day and age?

Yeah, you

can. Football is a law unto itself,

and you can find them two weeks

wages, Scott Bain is appealing it,

and that story has a long way to go.

We have a long way to go as well, we

will break up the Premiership action

by heading to the Championship,

Dundee United at home to St Mirren

this afternoon. Jim Spence is on

tenterhooks at Tannadice to tell us

what is happening.

It is tenterhooks, the game is

raging from end-to-end. St Mirren

trailing 1-0. A free kick into the

box from Fraser, Craig Samson seem

to be amused. It was running wide of

his right-hand post, but the ball

nestled inside the post. That is how

it stands at the moment. Dundee have

dominated the last 10-15 minutes of

the first half, 7-1 up in corners,

but no group to goal. No clear-cut

chances.

Brian is watching the Falkirk versus

Dunfermline.

Yes, it's an absolute

cracker as well. Falkirk one,

Dunfermline one. A brilliant match

in front of a crowd of around 6000,

including 1500 fans who have made

their way across the river to the

Falkirk Stadium. The visitors are in

front after just 28 minutes. Coming

from the penalty spot, Kallum

Higginbotham. He received a yellow

card from referee Craig Thompson

after he clipped his heels of the

Falkirk defender John Magee. He was

very lucky not to be shown a red

card in the first half. Into the

second half, Falkirk were much more

dominant and they still are. They

were given a lifeline when

Higginbotham received his second

yellow card of the afternoon.

Dunfermline were then down to ten

men. The equaliser came from Jordan

Magee, a magnificent free kick from

22 yards, took one bounce and ended

up in the back of the net. It is a

cracker here at the Falkirk Stadium.

We have played 65 minutes.

Off we go

to Livingston now. Kenny Crawford is

at the stadium.

70 minutes gone and

it is 0-0. The two conclusions I

have drawn is that this is not a

classic and that I should have

brought a hat, because it is

absolutely bolting it down. But I do

have the long johns on.

have the long johns on. A win to

Livingston would mean they go first

in the league, but they don't look

18 worthy to be there at the moment.

They only had one chance in the

first half which went wide of the

post. At the moment, the two teams

are cancelling each other out.

are cancelling each other out.

Two

of your former teams, Stephen.

of your former teams, Stephen. Did

you want to commentate? You made a

mess last time you tried it. I think

I know where your allegiances lie,

but it is tight.

It is tight at the

top. St Mirren's form has been poor

recently. They drew the last two

games and today they are struggling

in Dundee. You would expect Dundee

United to be challenging. Livingston

have been the surprise package for

me. You said four different teams

could be top of the league.

could be top of the league.

One of

the other things, I have always

called it Alcatraz about that

division. Season after season, it

breeds intense and sometimes

inexplicable rivalries that only the

fans fully understand. The media are

absolutely focused on the top

league, so you don't understand why

people dislike each other as badly

as they do. It is a fantastic league

football.

But hold on.

football.

But hold on. 6500, Brian

was saying, were attending.

I know

Paul has been struggling. Ellis put

his name in the ring for the Dundee

United job.

United job. This could be another

great result for him.

The only team

without a win in that division is

wrecking city.

wrecking city. -- Wrekin City.

Obviously, they are largely a

part-time club with limited budgets,

even by comparison with some of the

teams we have been talking about

like Dunfermline and Falkirk.

They

have a much smaller fan base to draw

on, so it is not surprising that

they are bottom of the league. But I

would not rule out a loss teams

here. Inverness and Falkirk started

the season poorly. It would be a mug

that would rule either of them out

at this stage.

Goal, Aberdeen.

That

is why we pay you the big bucks.

What happened?

It looked like poor

defending.

defending. Somebody asked to

describe it better than me.

His name

is John Sutherland. What actually

happened?

It was no challenge at

all. A fantastic attempt from

Stephen Thompson and an even better

attempt from Arneson. Fantastic

header from the Icelandic

international. He has given Aberdeen

the lead in this match. Hamilton

Accies will be kicking themselves.

They had chances in this match to

take the lead against Aberdeen. They

haven't taken them. Martin Canning

will be furious about that. But

great character shown by Aberdeen.

Stuart was accusing us of being

cruel earlier when talking about St

Johnstone, so I am going to give him

a treat and squeeze in some English

football by finding out how today's

lunchtime match in the English

Premier League went, Stoke at home

to 11th place Leicester City. It was

watched for us by John Murray.

It

was good and entertaining. Leicester

twice in front, Stoke twice drawing

level and Zouma nearly won it for

them with a header that Schmeichel

saved at the end of the match. There

was a fine save from Butland, but

Shaqiri levelled before the break.

Mahrez edged Leicester back in

front. But the evergreen Peter

Crouch, 36 years old, arrived at a

substitute to equalise with a very

good header from a corner. And so

for a third season in a row, Stoke

City versus Leicester City finished

2-2.

Stephen Thompson, striker

extraordinaire, how old are you?

39.

Three years older than Peter Crouch,

and he is still doing it. He said he

has not retired from international

football, but I think England have a

lot of irons in the fire.

He has had

a fantastic career. He always scores

goals.

goals.

You were eulogising English

football.

Goal for Hamilton! It was

a good goal this time. That was

better commentary.

better commentary.

Jonathan,

Hamilton versus Aberdeen?

That was

good from Stephen Thompson,

actually. Templeton squandered

chances in this match. Hamilton

Accies could have been 3-0 up if he

had taken two of his chances in the

first half, but he has made amends

to some degree here at the SuperSeal

Stadium. Aberdeen had just taken the

lead, but Templeton has made it 2-2.

It is game on here and it is

fantastically entertaining stuff.

He

is a terrible reporter. Commit to a

screen, it was 21-2! Do not adjust

your sets, it is 2-2.

If you saw

Martin Canning's reaction to that

goal going in, I have never seen a

manager celebrating with such

relief.

He is probably feeling

pressure.

Let's head up north again,

Ross County and Motherwell.

No more

goals to speak of. Ross County still

lead 3-1. Motherwell have made two

changes which we talked about, with

Elliott Frear and Ryan Bowman coming

on. Bowman scored with the early

second half shot. The game has died

down a bit. Ross County are in no

hurry to see this one out. They are

happy to hold onto that lead. If

anything, Motherwell are pressing

forward and creating more chances.

As yet, those chances have come to

nothing.

nothing. As I say that, someone was

making a run, but the danger was

snuffed out.

Still 2-1 at Easter

Road, Hibs and Dundee.

Hibs are on

top at the moment.

It has changed to a back three in

the second half. He has altered it

in the middle of the park as well.

And they got their reward with that

goal from Simon Murray.

goal from Simon Murray. We have

played 76 minutes here.

Plenty more

to come from our reporters, but now

we will take a wee break and took

about the international football.

There is no results show next week

because of that international break.

The Scots have a friendly against

another team that Celtic will fight,

the Netherlands, at Pittodrie,

through the week. The SFA's

performance director is in charge as

interim manager, taking over from

Gordon Strachan. I spoke to

yesterday and asked if he wanted the

job on a permanent basis.

If a

Scottish manager is asked to be the

manager for their country, there are

few that would say no. But I have an

important job at the moment. But for

the next month, I am delighted to be

involved.

So it is not at the back

of your mind, thinking, this could

be my audition for the manager's

job?

job?

No, honestly. Right now, it is

about preparing the group for next

weekend. There is a short period of

time between Gordon leaving and this

game happening. So that has been my

full focus for the last couple of

weeks.

Dundee United are 2-0 up now.

Alan, that was not a no. Does that

mean it is a yes?

I think if he was

offered it, he would take it.

offered it, he would take it. If he

walks away, it then brands it

worthless in my opinion.

worthless in my opinion.

And the

target for project brave is the

start of next season.

But the real

project is to deliver, not just get

it up and running. We want to see

the next generation of Scottish

talent coming through into the full

international team. Often, people

get confused. In this case, I am not

even sure that the -- SFA should

offer him the job. If they do, it

means they are not sure what they

were doing in the first place. That

is something the SFA do regularly.

We have had another goal.

Yes, a

goal at Dingwall. Let's find out

about it from Jane.

I wonder if it

is game on. It was a delicious goal.

is game on. It was a delicious goal.

Moments before that, Ross County had

a couple of fine efforts, but

Motherwell have been the better of

the sides in the second half and

Louis Moult grabbed his second of

the afternoon.

the afternoon.

If Louis Moult was

Scottish, would he be in the squad?

Scottish, would he be in the squad?

Yeah gentleman,

Yeah gentleman, we only have two

strikers left.

Christie, is he a

striker?

No.

I think Robertson will play

left-back.

left-back.

Or Robertson could be the

wingback. Plenty of fresh blood.

Shinnie is unlucky that he is

playing left-back.

He can play

midfield he can.

Ryan Christie has

been arguably the best player. He

has been brilliant.

Is the talent

being recognised, or is there an

element of cynicism about it because

tickets have to be sold? They

deserved to be in the squad this

week, but not last week.

They have

deserved to be in the squad for a

long time.

If Malky Mackay were to

be interested in the job, if he

making a statement by saying, I am

bringing in fresh blood, this is the

future?

That is the way it has to

go. We can all sit here and

pontificate.

But he ultimately has

to decide who comes in and who

doesn't. McGregor was not involved

in the last campaign until the end,

which was shocking.

which was shocking.

I feel that is

the right thing to do as I football

nation, to look at the best talent

that has come through in what is

still a relatively competitive

league, albeit Celtic are the

dominant team. The spine of the

Celtic team are in there and good

players have come through from

Aberdeen as well. I think it is a

good thing that he has done that,

but we need someone who will be

there for the long haul and sort out

the performance manager thing.

Malky Mackay has added a bit on, if

he walks out, it will be someone

else, turning into a farce, for me.

Me, too.

The game against the

Netherlands, a top team that didn't

make it to the World Cup.

Much like

Scotland, this will be Dick

Advocaat's last game, and they are

looking for a manager. They have

been underperforming for years. It

will give an opportunity to look at

players like Christie, like

McGregor, I hope McGinn starts, he

has been fantastic. It is a good

chance for players to get in.

Eraso

many good players down in England,

the young lad that left Rangers to

go to Nottingham Forest, John Fleck

is flying with Sheffield United.

Is

there anyone that has not made it in

this time that should be there?

McGee has been outstanding. He has

performed better than Ryan Jack.

Rangers with Ryan Jack.

You are

trying to take me in... Yes! Causing

me greater grief, I have not seen

enough of him this season, but he

has a propensity to get sent off.

Sometimes actually in friendlies and

things like that. I don't think that

speaks well, but there were people

talking for him to be capped when he

was at Aberdeen, so they can't now

flip it and say he shouldn't be

capped.

It should be based on

current form. Somebody to cheer and

somebody do have a go at.

Shades of

Ian Blackford!

We will head back around the

grounds, starting in Hamilton,

Accies at home to Aberdeen, still

2-2.

The last five minutes of what

has been a hugely entertaining match

here this afternoon. Dougie Imrie

gave Accies the lead with a

fantastic free kick, Stewart

equalised with his first Premiership

goal for Aberdeen. Carrie Arneson

with the header to make it 2-1.

David Templeton then scored to

equalise.

equalise. It could go either way in

this game, very, very even indeed,

and it remains Hamilton 2-2

Aberdeen.

Ross County still ahead by

a single goal?

They do have a slim

lead against Motherwell. Motherwell

are pushing forward to grab an

equaliser. What a turnaround that

would be. In the first half, Ross

County, although they didn't have

the lion's share of the game, they

weren't overly in great position

against Motherwell, but were

clinical in front of goal, and

deservedly had a 3-0 half-time lead.

The first goal was scored by Ryan

Bowman for Motherwell. Ryan Moore

scored a second with 11 minutes to

go. The clock ticks on. Motherwell

are pushing forward, trying to get

an equaliser. At the minute, Ross

County, as I said last time, are

holding on.

To Easter Road to hear

from John Barnes, Hibernian against

Dundee. Hibs still would be upper

hand?

They are looking for a third,

coming forward in droves at times in

the late period, less than five

minutes left to play. A flicked

effort to the back post, corner kick

prevented Dundee going 3-1 down. A

dink around one defender set up for

Simon Murray on the right-hand side

of the box. He cut it straight back

to McGinn, who was flying into the

box. A low delivery and it would

have been put away. But it was high

and wide, to the frustration of the

Hibernian midfielder. It remains

Hibs 2-1 Dundee.

No change there,

and no change at Ibrox between

Rangers and Partick this all.

Rangers scorers, McCrorie and Conde

is, Windass increasing the lead in

the second half. Partick yet to

score in that match. A minute left.

Well, gents, Neal McAdam, I was

reading, it in the paper am saying

there is no need to panic, but this

will be their fifth straight defeat.

It looks like they are going to be.

It is a real problem for them. There

is unrest in the camp, as we heard

early on, not scoring goals, leaking

at the back, a recipe for disaster.

If you weeks ago, it was Alan

Archibald under pressure, and it has

shifted to Neil McCann.

A second

victory for Graeme Murty as interim

manager, talk of Derek McInnes,

should they consider keeping him on

in that job?

No. He did

fantastically well, he did well last

time he was interim manager. It is

great on his CV. He can organise a

team, we can see that. But Rangers

can't afford to have a rookie

manager as their manager, they have

to get this appointment right, and I

don't think it will be Graeme Murty.

Interim Manager of the Month?

A new

category!

category!

I think St Johnstone are playing

them next week.

They get a week off

next week.

Yeah, the week after.

That they have definitely brought

something quite special to the mix,

because they are a decent team, I am

a romantic, so I am a fan of Simon

Murray, because his football

background is not a conventional

one. It is good to see him doing

well, scoring and whatever. I was

intrigued about the guys talking

about Dundee's Neil McCann. It is

easier to be a football pundit on

the telly and it is to be a football

manager.

Alan has done it.

It is

difficult to be a manager. I was up

early to write things down, and I

would be up for the rest of the day.

When you are a player and you look

after yourself, you are the manager

and you look after the whole club.

Neil is finding that now.

He says

there is no pressure on him.

It is a

results driven industry.

The other

thing is, it is an area of life

where you have two the a superb man

manager are all people manager,

rather than necessarily also being a

good analyst of the game. In the

dressing room, there are so many

dynamics, so many different human

beings and personalities. I don't

think it will work out well for the

McCann.

The job has evolved.

It has,

and everything else that goes with

it, video technology comes, and the

scrutiny on you all the time. It is

not something I would like to do it

again. I didn't enjoy it.

We said

last week he wasn't finding pressure

with the job.

Stuard was talking

about how Martin Carney had

celebrated that equalising goal at

New Douglas Park, 2-2 there, that

would be a good return. They are on

a decent run.

They are on a decent

run. It has been a brilliant game to

watch, it really has. Aberdeen

putting them under pressure in the

last five minutes, but they have

been on a good run. They were rock

bottom, struggling, but is nice they

have come back. They always manage

to come back.

A wee bit of a frack

are.

You are putting the words in

the same sentence.

He was acting as

the Peacemaker, that is good to see.

That game, Ross County against

Motherwell County, running down the

clock, I had to say, I don't like to

see it.

Taking the ball to the

corner, three added on minutes to

go. It would be a great result, but

it is a game of two Haas, God I'm in

the first half, played well. But a

couple of changes got them back in

the game. It will be difficult, and

what a 3-pointer that will be for

Ross County.

They have had a revival

of late.

They have not beaten

Rangers since 1993, I wasn't

expecting them to get anything out

of it, Partick.

Alan Archibald was

under pressure a while ago, it has

moved off him.

He just shifts week

to week. So little between the

bottom of the league, there really

is.

Who is in danger at the moment?

Dundee, eight points.

Dundee are in

the worst form. I like to Chuck

Hamilton in there, but they played

well today.

Full-time in Hamilton

Accies against Aberdeen, Jonathan,

all square.

all square.

Hamilton 2-2 Aberdeen, a

wonderfully competitive and

entertaining match, it shows the

Scottish Premiership in its best

light tonight this afternoon. Dougie

Imrie lit the place up with a

fantastic left foot free kick,

flashing past Joe Lewis into the net

to make it 1-0 to Accies. David

Templeton lobbed Joe Lewis, but he

made a good save. Greg Docherty with

a cross to Templeton, he could have

taken a touch, and then taking a

more controlled effort, he chose to

volley first time and blazed wide.

Immediately after, Hamilton would

regret that moment as Greg Stewart

burst through to equalise for

Aberdeen. 1-1 at half-time, loads of

chances in the second half for both

sides. Carrie Anderson bundled the

ball over to make it 2-1 to

Aberdeen. In the end, Templeton

would make amends for his earlier

misses by equalising for Hamilton,

2-2, and a deserved point for the

home side. It finishes Hamilton 2-2

Aberdeen.

Full-time in the

Championship match, late drama?

It

has

has finished 2-1, United hauling

themselves level with St Mirren at

the top. Matt Dunn scoring the

first, Stanton adding the killer

second. St Mirren had possession,

but couldn't finish. Scott Fraser's

free kick on 12 minutes was saved.

free kick on 12 minutes was saved.

United took the lead, a long ball

trapped by Fraser, low past Samson

by Stanton from 40 yards. From the

left-hand side, 35 yards out,

Eckersley hit a speculative shot,

cracked over the head of the keeper,

cracking of the bar and over the

line. St Mirren down and out, Dundee

United 2-1 St Mirren.

Back to John

Barnes at Easter Road, Hibernian

against Dundee, full-time.

Hibernian

extend their winning run to four

majesties is named third place in

the Premiership. Martin Boyle

getting the opening goal after only

63 seconds. Dundee was bonded to get

an equaliser through Marcus Haber.

In the second half, Hibs or altered

their formation. They went close on

a couple of occasions through Simon

Murray. Dundee themselves almost

took the lead with El Bakhtaoui with

a terrific shot, saved by Marciano.

But 63 minutes, Simon Murray with a

superb volley from Anthony Stokes

made it 2-1 to Hibs, securing the

victory in the end. For Dundee, a

fifth straight defeat that leaves

them bottom of the table.

It is all over in Dingwall, Ross

County holding on.

Dingwall had been

a happy hunting ground for

Motherwell recently, but not today.

Motherwell were better in the second

half, Michael Gardyne got Ross

County off the Mark. The ball in

from skipper Andrew Davies, back in

the starting line-up, God I'm

finished off brilliantly. Motherwell

had chances, God I'm turning

provider, the effort smashed in. God

I'm then make it 3-0 after Jim

O'Brien's chance was cleared off the

line.

Motherwell made two changes at

half-time, and it seems to have the

desired effect on the substitutes

combining well to get Motherwell

back in the game and they made it

3-1. Motherwell looked livelier and

with 11 minutes remaining, it was

game on, a lovely header from Louis

Moult. Motherwell went pressing for

the equaliser, Adam McCreery in

goalkeeping call as he kept a effort

out with minutes to go. The

Motherwell manager watched from the

stands, not great viewing, but Owen

Coyle, the Ross County manager, he

will enjoy his night, he will enjoy

this result. Ross County 3-2

Motherwell.

Rangers supporters will

enjoy this result, they Wing 3-0 at

home against Partick Thistle was

afternoon. Josh Windass scoring the

third early in the second half,

adding to the total. Conde us with

the second. McCrorie with the first.

A second win on the spin under

Graeme Murty.

Let him or from Brian McLoughlin,

watching Falkirk against

Dunfermline.

It finished Falkirk

one, Dunfermline one, the visitors

ending the game with nine men on the

pitch. They took the lead before the

half-hour mark from the penalty

half-hour mark from the penalty spot

after Dunn bundled into Nicky Clark.

Kallum Higginbotham sent the keeper

the wrong way and have the perfect

penalty.

penalty. Just 19 minutes into the

second half, he received his second

yellow card and then a red card.

Falkirk pushed more men forward and

equalised through a wonderful free

kick from Jordan McGee. It was end

to end at that point. Anybody could

have won. Falkirk pushed more men

forward and with five minutes left

to play, Dunfermline were reduced to

just nine men, Declan McManus

receiving his second yellow of the

day. There was also a header in the

last minute of stoppage time.

Magnificent drama for the 5500 fans

inside the stadium.

I thought it was

6500 earlier! 1000 must have left

early.

early.

0-0 with this match. I can't

live up to the excitement that Brian

just shared. Clean sheets for both

sides and both keep up the good

recent form as well. Livingston have

only lost once in their last six

games. Inverness haven't lost at all

in their last six games, so after a

shaky start, the Highlanders are now

studying out. It was a poor game

overall, very few chances.

There was very little in all that

Livingston had to offer. The main

reason they will be disappointed

will be that they could have ended

the day to put the championship with

a whimper, given that St Mirren have

lost. They have not taken the

opportunity, but it was still a good

season for the West Lothian side who

many would not have predicted that

there would be up there at this

point of the season.

Alan, you were

a manager at Livingston once upon a

time. Would you have predicted that

they would be so giddy early on?

I

don't think so.

don't think so.

Between first and

fifth, two points.

fifth, two points. It is close. It

is the international break next

week, so maybe they will get a

chance to regroup.

They need to. A

wee break just what they need.

We

talk about the new boss bounce. It's

such a phenomenon emerging?

Well, it

would appear so, because there was

one at Rangers and there is one here

as well. I just feel there is

something about this league that

becomes almost impossible to call,

because only a few weeks ago, a lot

of people were wondering about

Inverness. Suddenly, they put a wee

string of results together and they

are not far off. It is quite an

incredible league.

I am going to put

a longer string of results together,

because it is time for the

classified round-up.

classified round-up. No, I didn't

like that link either, chaps. We

start with the Ladbrokes Scottish

Premiership.

managers in the Premier League after

all of today's

Let's have a look at the league

tables.

There are four pages of results. So,

significant results today in the

Premier League, Celtic opening of a

points gap over Aberdeen at the top.

That was fairly predictable. At the

start of the season, I said I don't

think they can go the whole season

unbeaten again. I think they will

lose, but they are just so

consistent. Today was a fantastic

result, with some individually

brilliant goals.

Aberdeen will be

disappointed to drop points away to

Hamilton.

They have always struggled

there. You would not battle against

Hamilton at any stage.

Hamilton at any stage.

They thumped

us up at Perth eventually. I thought

it was a close game than the result.

it was a close game than the result.

One thing is interesting is that if

you look at the top of the English

Premiership, I only look at it when

I have a point that proves that

Scotland is better! And that is that

people talk about Celtic running

away with it, but actually, Celtic

are pegging back much closer to

Hibernian and Aberdeen, with Rangers

coming up. If you look at the top of

the English Premiership and you look

at Man United and Man City, Man City

are running away with it.

You are

right, that was interesting. See if

David Templeton can say anything

more interesting. He spoke after the

draw with Aberdeen.

David,

congratulations on the dole. How

competitive was a?

As a fan, it

would have been a good game to

watch. There were loads of chances

at both ends. For myself in the

first half, I had a couple of great

chances. I should have scored. I

think I scored the hardest out of

this with three of them. After the

two I missed, I think you could see

I was happy with it.

So he scored

one, but he could have scored a few.

He should have scored a hat-trick.

He should have scored a hat-trick.

Next, it is the Ross County manager

Owen Coyle, celebrating a 3-2 win

over Motherwell.

You will be happy

with that.

I am delighted. We knew

it was going to be a tough

challenge.

challenge. The club have already

played them twice, so it was

important that we set about the game

as we did. We got a good lead to

take into half-time. It was

disappointing to allow Motherwell

back in the game. They scored two

wonderful headers. But there is no

doubt that we deserved the three

points.

points. We have to make sure we

don't allow Motherwell back in. But

if somebody had offered you that

before the game, I would have

grabbed it with both hands, so

absolutely delighted. It shows a

very good turnaround.

They are

creeping up that table. They are up

to eighth now.

to eighth now.

You were already

pre-empting the Hearts versus

Kilmarnock game, are you?

We have to

see what happens.

They have done

well. It is their home form that has

changed things.

It seems to have

reenergised things.

I think they

have stepped up. They almost threw

it away at the end, but they

deserved to win the match.

There is

a personal performance by Gardyne,

who was outstanding in the first 45

and faded away a bit in the second.

But a really good performance.

Hearts tomorrow at Murrayfield, and

attitude run of home games at

Tynecastle.

It is not a neutral

venue any more, and that is what

Hearts need. There is no advantage

to Hearts playing there.

They have a

long run of home games.

Very much

so.

Chaps, we have run out of time

for another week. The best of the

Premiership action can be viewed in

its glory tomorrow at six o'clock on

BBC Two Scotland. Stephen and his

on-screen family will be here for

that. No results show next week.

Console yourselves in the knowledge

that Stuart Cosgrove will not let

you down. He will be on the hour

with off the Ball Saturday

supplement. Get your nominations in

14 of the day. Thanks to Stephen,

Alan and Stewart for sharing the

experience with us and see you soon.

Take care.