04/12/2011 Sportscene

Only five more SPL playing days until Christmas. All this when

Cairns -- weekend's action coming your way and we have Billy Dodds

for company. First Ibrox where Rangers had it and SPL stutter to

sort out yesterday. A couple of points dropped at home to St

Johnstone and then their unbeaten go into the lead. This weekend

Rangers left out Ross Perry, Ian McCulloch and Kyle Lafferty. There

was a first competitive start for Thomas Bendiksen. Dunfermline added

Paul Burns to their lengthy injured list. Joe Cardle was reintroduced

to the first 11 and Martin Hardie made his first start for three

months. Ranges looking to recover from an

and early chance for Rangers. The top scorer well picked out by

Davies. -- Davies. Steven Davis is it was a good one! Well saved by

Paul Gallacher. That is the first serious threat on Don Fermin's goal.

of Keddie and in. A bizarre own goal. It gifts for Rangers the lead.

Just when Jim MacIntyre's team thought they had got through that

all-important first 20 minutes unscathed they give a goal away in

Rangers in this first half. Down he goes. Penalty given. Dunfermline

are distraught. How much was there in this in the way of contact?

There's your answer, not very much at all. But the referee pointed

immediately to the spot. It is Nicky Gooch a Jelavic. 2-0. --

defence. Joe Kabul with a chance! They are back in the game. Just a

couple of minutes after Rangers made it 2-0, Dunfermline give

themselves real hope. Poor defending from Rangers and the

whole complexion of the game has solider lit -- solidly behind it.

screens across goal. Both Steven Davis and Broadfoot not far away

from getting a finishing touch on Kyle Berkeley had the chance and he

can't believe it is not a corner kick. He reckons there was a hefty

pretty disappointed he could not put on target. This looked well set

They are queuing up. Kyle Lafferty... Jelavic! Great save by

Paul Gallacher. That was curling into the corner. He stretched out a

left glove to touch it around the a point. A free header and he

a point. A free header and he should at least have hit the target.

The SFA could take action against Sona Aluko for alleged simulation,

Sona Aluko for alleged simulation, diving. Is he guilty? I think he is.

I am all for somebody giving you a little tired and going down, but

sometimes slight contact can put you off balance, but it is just a

touch. He is going down late. I think it is simulation and that is

not enough to put him down. He has gone down late. He can have no

complaints. What you can say is that the referee did not have a

good view of it. There was a touch on the arm from Martin Hardie so

there was some contact, but surely not the sort of contact that would

send him down like that. I have been in penalty boxes when people

are pulling your jersey. It is enough to put you off balance. That

is not enough to go down. That is a hand resting on him. He has

realised he is not getting the ball and he has gone down and got the

penalty. It is simulation. There's a touch of deja-vu about this with

the referee. He was the referee when Garry O'Connor escaped a two

match ban for this, Hibernian Dickinson Johnston a couple of

months ago. There was the prospect of the ban, he birdie and he

appealed and that was upheld. It is remarkably similar. It is and he is

in a decent position. It is clear simulation. It is coincidence that

it is the same referee. He has called the two of them and got both

of them wrong. Garry O'Connor got away with that one, I have a funny

feeling Aluko will not. Do you blame the player or the referee?

have to have a look at both, but more the player. He has to take

responsibility. As a former striker, I have gone down, but I never used

to dive. Aluko has taken a dive there. The play has to look at

himself, but the referee has to also make sure he is calling it

correct. Dunfermline have the worst goals against record in the Premier

League. It is not surprising when you see them giving away goals like

this. They are good going forward, but Paul Gallagher has been their

best player this season and he will be disappointed with that. He was

relaxed -- he was relaxed with that clearance. He tried to flick it

over the defender. Two own goals in two weeks for Alex Keddie, but I

don't think you can blame him too much for that. I was that the match

yesterday for Radio Scotland. We can question the penalty, but you

can't say Rangers did not dominate, especially in the first half. They

have a lot of chances. Yes, loads. The one thing over the last couple

of weeks Rangers have struggled with his creativity and Ally

McCoist picked that team yesterday by putting Gregg Wylde back in,

Dixon, Aluko, Jelavic. They were always going to create. The one

thing they did not do was kill off again. If they had got a third goal

they probably would have won it more comfortably, but they were

hanging on at the end. Tenacity here, queuing up, Rangers. In the

end it was Jelavic and it was a special save from Paul Gallacher.

He is a top-class goalkeeper and that is an exceptional save. He has

been their most consistent player. If that was in Alex Keddie's own

goal he probably would have scored! What a chance for an equaliser.

was a game Rangers had to win on the back of dropped points against

St Johnstone and Kilmarnock. have talked about Celtic and

handling pressure, Rangers went through a sticky period. They now

have to handle the pressure, there was a pressure game yesterday,

three points in the bag. In the less launched their latest bid to

avoid bottom spot yesterday. St Mirren were looking to a response

to a 5-0 defeat to Celtic last time out.

So ignorant striker Steven Thompson did not start the match at Celtic

Park last weekend. -- St Johnstone when it looked easier to score. A

well-worked corner kick. When it landed at the feet of Thompson you

for the Net would bulge. -- you the middle. Shinnie! He punishes St

Mirren. Andrew Shinnie's 6 goal of the season puts Inverness

Caledonian Thistle in front. This was all about St Mirren errors and

a cool pass and cool finish. Johnny Haynes and Shinnie combining. The

visitors' lead at the new St Mirren his into the back of the net but

the assistant had his flag up. That a goal! Steven Thompson. He missed

a sitter earlier on, but there was no missing that one. Completely

unmarked. His fourth SPL goal of half will give them confidence for

the second half. They are on the attack. Steven Thompson denied a

second goal. It was not the most powerful hit, just trying to guide

St Mirren with a chance to throw a few bodies forward. They looked to

go in front... Gary Teale goes for goal. The goalkeeper had to move

quickly to push that over the bar. Gary Teale almost catching Vicky

challenge. Clumsy. A penalty might Thistle back in front and what a

fine goal it was. He took it so early. The goalkeeper was caught

off guard. Caley Thistle have the lead once more. Dave Mackay might

profit. It trickled wide. He was really unfortunate, Dave Mackay.

Looking for a goal on his first start for the club. He lost his

opportunity. He holds on to it, the goalkeeper. St Mirren's chances

look to be up. We have been talking for weeks

about them getting off the bottom and they finally have. How

important is that for them? Huge. They have been threatening for the

last few weeks. They have not been keeping clean sheets and you can

see they have still not fixed that. But going forward they are always a

threat. They have scored a few but not won games, yesterday they

scored a couple and won. They have some good quality players. A good

goalkeeper, Jonny Hayes, Shunyi. Have they got the capabilities to

get up into the top six? Maybe but after the start, Terry Butcher will

just be delighted if they avoid relegation this season. Maybe

moving up another couple of places, but just make sure he gets up a few

places and Inverness they say. You have mentioned a few good players,

but there is a freshness and it is coming together. Why was the

defender up-to- there? He played it blind. Against Hibernian a few

weeks ago Samson lost a cheap goal. If you are going to play from the

back, that will happen. That is what you're talking about,

switching off. When you set up at set pieces, you get five markers

and Steven Thompson should have your best marker on him. But a

special goal here. No chance for the goalkeeper. That is a top

strike. A top talent. Since he has come back from injury he has looked

fitter and stronger and quicker. It is no surprise to me that since

he's come back in the team that Inverness are now winning points.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds

Hearts and St Johnstone got is the opening goal. Marian Kello

came wandering and did not get the cross from Dave Mackay. He was very

slow to get back, a lovely touch from Liam Craig and beautifully

finished with his left foot. Three minutes played and a terrific touch

against Hibernian. He brought it down well and tested Marian Kello.

Hearts have got such a poor record in the first half of finding the

net. They scored in the second half last week against Inverness. Will

they do so here again? He did not test Peter Enckelman but it wasn't

far away. A great cross, but just off target. Hearts trying to find

an equaliser. It fell to Stephen Elliott and Peter Enckelman was a

cure. Saints have lost goals in any two of their eight away matches

performance from the Tynecastle side. Sutton was being held and the

referee says penalty. O'Reilly in perfect position to point to the

spot. Jamie Hamill's ball in, Sutton clearly impeded and the

good save from the goalkeeper, not a great penalty from Jamie Hamill.

The trailing arm does the job. Steve Lomas getting his message

through. Relaying it to one and then it goes to Tommy Wright on the

bench. He will be happy with the simple decision and it is a yellow

card. Hearts took an age declare it. -- to clear it. Dave Mackay mates

no mistake from the penalty spot. The St Johnstone number two simply

says -- cents Marian Kello the have already left. They have seen

back in the match with four minutes to play, from Taouil. St Johnstone

feel Davidson was fouled here. Jonsson the man who seemed to trip

him. But that is a lovely finish from Taouil. He just guide it

inside the post. Paolo Sergio looking on. It is a real Grandstand

finish from Hearts and Elliott and Enckelman sends it over the top.

That was good play and Enckelman, terrific. The dying seconds. Kello

sends it long. McGowan! He lifts it over the top. This would have drawn

Hearts level. But he couldn't put it on target. Heart' manager had

some interesting things to say to wasn't great, was it? Kello at

fault or Webster? Tinge keeper can't come. Webster's got to head

that. It's got to be a better header. But I think he has got to

deal with it. Take nothing from Craig, he has got so much to do.

Four Hearts player and the keep tore get it over. It was a good and

well taken goal. Hearts have won one in six. Those quotes from Paolo

Sergio, is he talking himself into a redundancy. Well he is telling

the truth. Of course it is going to filter through to Mayers, they have

not been -- players, they have not been paid. We have seen in the past

if your manager makes those quotes at Hearts, they have lost their

jobs. It will be interesting to see. There is a history at Tynecastle of

that happening. For few years, yes. A tale of two penalties, I suppose

they decide it. Had Hearts taken this opportunity it may have been a

different game. Were they both ppbltys. I think is. -- Were they

both penalties? Yes McCracken has stopped him from getting to the

ball. But Englandle man has had his moments in his career. I think that

is a great save. He should be going with his right hand. He realises it

is at a height he can't. But to get that left hand up is a great save.

This is Jonsson on Davidson. More of the stone wall variety that.

Davidson can arrive in the box. And then Mackay scored a free kick a

few weeks ago against Hibs and dispatches that. A good penalty and

St Johnstone carry on their good form. They're now closing in on

third: They play Motherwell and that could get them closer to third.

It seeps there has been a seamless transition between Derek McInnes

and Steve Lomas. Well they have a good squad. The front two go out.

They played Haber and Finnegan and it worked. Yes and they won the

game. But I think they have a squad. But within that it brings pressures.

Managers will tell you you take over a good team and you start

getting a couple of bad results, it doesn't look good. For Steven Lomas

to go in with that pressure and maintain that has been magnificent.

They could be contendersers for a European place. Yes they have the

confidence and the calibre of player, the manager's, it has been

seemless, they will finish top six. What Kilmarnock wanted to do after

last Sunday's defeat at Rangers was to put another three points on the

board at Rugby Park and get into the top six. That meant beating

struggling Aberdeen. Jonathan surt land reports. -- Sutherland reports.

A wintry Rugby Park has seen the last stand of many a beleaguered

Aberdeen manager and this mistake didn't help Craig Brown. Harkins

taking advantage for Kilmarnock. Considine's header far too weak and

Kilmarnock far too easily taking the lead in the fifth minute.

Willie Miller Alex Miller and Mark McGhee, all Aberdeen managers whose

last games have been defeats to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. For now,

Craig Brown's job looks just about safe. McCardle with the long range

attempt. James Dayton replaced Paul Heffernan and the English march

would make a big impact on the match. -- Englishman. He raced

through the Aberdeen defence to fire home and effectively kill off

the away side's challenge. And the win for Kilmarnock, a good follow

up on their 1-0 victory over Rangers last week. James Dayton

showing good poise to beat Brown. The noises coming from Aberdeen

this a Craig Brown's position as manager is not at risk. There was a

rally of sorts from the Dons, Foster with the cross and Fallon

just failing to make contact. There are some signs of life from

Aberdeen, but for the moment they're bottom of the league. You

were there. Craig Brown said it was embarrassing that Aberdeen had

slumped to bod bottom. Do they have the quality to get out of there?

would say right now they have got two maybe three players have got

quality. I don't think they have enough to say they will definitely

climb off the bottom. I'm sorry to say it as my old club. But I don't

see it. They have no right to get out of there. It is about quality

and also attitude. Yes they're a huge club, but on the evidence of

yesterday and the way that they responded, there was no response.

They just accepted it and Kilmarnock got their two goals and

I don't mean somebody flying into a tackle, but somebody showing

frustration, trying to do something. There was knob -- none of that.

would be disappointed if you concede a goal like this on a

public park. The ball travelled 70 years. Considine has been

consistent and you got to get more on the header and Brown's telling

him to go the other way. I don't think he gets any bravery awards

for doing that either. Harkins, again don't take anything from

Harkins to chase that. Win the tackle and score. What about this,

is this a defensive shambles? there, Aberdeen are on the attack

and Foster is not marking anyone. He has been their best player, but

their back four were all over the place. He does well, Dayton, going

n cuts across, Considine scores. But they rolled it into Fallon and

Foster must show a better reaction to get pack and get on his man.

Dayton was free on the left and with Foster being forward, the two

central defenders never covered themselves in glory. It was poor

again from Aberdeen. In attack for Kilmarnock, it has been Heffernan

and She'lls who have grabbed the headlines, but Harkins made one and

scored one. Here is a couple of goals. You worked with him before.

He has got the best talent you can get outwith the Old Firm. You get a

special awareness. He scores you goals and spots passes. He is a

real talent. He is not the quickest. But he is a real talent and he is

flourishing. He is not play flg my honourable friend field, he has

found in behind the striker and he is versatile and played there for

Blackburn in his early years. But a special talent. Now the Friday

night experiment continued at Fir Park. It started but it didn't

finish. It was a shame, there was 7,000 there. I was there.

Everything was going smoothly. There noise doubt with the crowd --

there is no doubt with the crowd it worked. Hibs had their new manager

and then the generator failed. very good goal? Yes they turned

defence into attack. That is a blistering finish from O'Connor.

They started the season well. But just striking that home. There is

so much to do. Look at that. A great finish. From defence to

attack, good and then the old lights went out. It got to half

time. That was as far. Did you not have your toolbox with you? I'm not

great about the house. It was a shame. But let's hope that that

gets a repetition. It is not just about putting a match on the Friday

night, the prices were reduced. People were enticed to the game. It

is worth continuing with? A bit of everything, Pat Fenlon getting

unveiled, 1,500 Hibs fans. The ticket prices. But it can get

better, it was a stinking night. You would get more fans and

geographically it could be better. There was an Aberdeen Dunfermline

and that is a big hike for the Dunfermline fans. Better to have

more derbies. Without a shadow, Aberdeen and Dundee uted, St Mirren

and Dundee United. But they could put it correct and on a good night.

Celtic having hauled themselves back in the title frame wanted to

maintain the momentum against Dundee United. They have are now

back in contention. Rangers extend their lead at the top. They made

that look Eades easy did Rangers. McGregor with no chance and

Kilmarnock have the lead. Celtic straight back in it. It is a hooper

hat trick. Same again for Dundee United, this was the team that drew

with Motherwell last week. Celtic were without Joe Ledley. Gary

Hooper was a starter. Celtic's league form of late has been of the

winning variety. They will seek to couldn't get there. Almost the

perfect start for Celtic. A great run by Samaras. Stokes was ifrplgs

-- inches away from the opening rises, but not high enough to

and Celtic move ahead after just 12 minutes. Forrest and Hooper combine

to deadly effect and it is SPL goal No 9 for the season for Gary Hooper.

That Hooper goal will have settled any nerves Celtic may have been

feeling. That is forerest one two with Stokes. Almost a lovely second

for Celtic. Look at this - a climbs, but couldn't get the power

on it to test Forster. That is just about as good as any move Dundee

United have put together so far. Samarra on -- Samaras on to the

right foot. Well wide from the distance and that is very ambitious

from Russell. It rather sums up has taken a sore one on the ankle.

Scott Brown, having signed a new contract, replaces Glenn Loovens.

As Brown returns from injury and immediately starts bark orders at

Forster's goal not threatened by on to the left foot. Well wide from

Forrest. What a talent he is. An exciting player for Celtic and

he took that shot. As a result it didn't threaten the keeper. And the

referee Craig Thompson brings proceedings to an end. A fifth

consecutive SPL win for Celtic and rae.' lead at the top it back to

four. -- Rangers' lead. A match Celtic had to win and the goal that

settled it as a former goal scorer, you must have appreciated the

quality of this. He could have slipped him in and I thought the

chance had gone. Once the pass comes, his touch is sublime. They

have had some special goals in the last couple of weeks. That one

today was right up there. Because the pass, the touch, but look at

the execution there. You can't put it any closer to that post. Celtic

from what you're saying well worth the 1-0 advantage at half time.

Maybe more. Yes they should have had the goal over by half time. But

they were good first half. Pace, tempo got their goal. But the onus

wasn't on Celtic to get more. United were that bad that Celtic

knew they wouldn't get a chance. You usually get one chance, but you

knew United wouldn't get one. They were that poor. Celtic have done

what they have had to do and put together a five-match run. And at

this stage they are under pressure. Yes, I think this was the turning

point in the last, well the last five games. This goal here, because

there was ten minutes to go against Motherwell and they could have

fallen further behind. This was an unbelievable goal. It was going to

take something special to break down Inverness. Hooper and Stokes

are coming back into form. For rest has more than played his part. We

will see the young boy. That is Hooper's hat trick and this was the

one you talk about. The young boy running 80 yards and scoring a Roy

of the Rovers special. At the start of it, Lennon wz -- was staring

into the abyss. He must take credit for having pulled the team out of

it? That is when you earn your corn as a manager. It is great when your

winning and you maintain that. But when you're struggling, especially

at Celtic, you're going through a a horrendous run, and you manage to

tirnts around. You can only compliment -- to turn it around.

You can only compliment the manager. I think think the central defenders

are suspect. But if he can get that sorted out, there is momentum there.

Scott Brown has signed a three year contract extension, having joined

the club in 2007. A key player. He is the captain of the club. He has

the ability and the attitude to pull them through difficult times.

And now he's in a sense launching his next phase at the club. I think

it is that momentum we talked about and you get this guy back and it is

funny, there is a section of Celtic fans don't like him for some reason.

I think this guy has got everything. I have always admired him as a

player. He has got a nasty streak, a drive and determine in addition,

-- determination, but he has got some etechnique. But I think he has

got a bit of everything. The thing that is lack for him is maintaining

that fitness. If he stays fit, he is the captain and the leader and

it is a bonus for Celtic. Presumably he is is about to esm

bark on a rich vain of form. Because he has not been fit for a

long time. That is what has hindered him. He can play, but he

has to stay fit. It is no coincidence when he was out, Celtic

were struggling. If they can make sure he is fit, he is a huge player.

They have got other players, but they have not got a drive and

determined character the way he is. You touched on it, but how bad were

Dundee United? I don't have to tell you, because the manager came out.

It is probably, they worked hard enough, but it was a right bad day

at the office. They couldn't pass it five or ten yards and never

created a chance. It was as bad a performance as I have ever seen at

Dundee United. And that is saying something! Still four points

between the top two. And four moipbts between third and fourth. -

- points between third and fourth. Kilmarnock are into the top six.

Inverness making a significant move in the bottom half. Up three places.

And replaced at the foot of the table by Aberdeen. Next up six

Saturday games next weekend. Starting at Easter Road, Hibs