06/10/2013 Sportscene

Good evening. It might only be October but it's never too early to

start worrying about relegation for some of the vested interests in the

studio this evening, St Mirren's Stephen Thompson, and the former

Hearts cap taken, Michael Stuart. The bottom two teams squared up a

match where the victory for Hearts would see them cut the gap to Saints

for six points. The results the other way, we see the gap extend to

12 - the classic six-pointer. Mind the gap. Brian Stephenson makes

his first start since 11 August against Hearts. The only change by

Gary Lock to the side that drew against Tynecastle last weekend

against Dundee United. Paterson has gone himself. He had

support, Callum Paterson, decided to strike himself.

Sends it long. Header, down on to McGowan, takes it

the first time, and almost scored. McDonald was struggling here. Might

have been on target. Just looping over his arm.

It is a chance. Not clear. McGee was struggling for

Hearts at the back post. The ball was presented back, and

Thompson so close. Paul McGowan just off target. Not

going to plan for Gary Lock. He's having to defend again.

From Callum Paterson to walker. Hearts are pressed here. Jimmy

Walker came off McGregor, and Paterson off target.

He. The back post to score. There's no doubt the impact that

goal could have. Nicked past Jamie McDonald.

Stephenson. No way through for Hearts.

Callum Paterson. It's another chance for Paterson.

Some day you bury these, on other days, they bury you.

It's Paul McGowan. Well, Dillon McGowan should have cleared it. Paul

McGowan didn't let him, and he just stabbed it into the net.

Horrible goal for Hearts to lose. McGowan couldn't get it under his

feet and away. Paul McGowan was left celebrating with a simple tap in the

back of the net. Angled ball once more. The header

from MacLean. Almost a third - pushing Hearts to

the limit at the moment. A look at the watch will bring no

consolation. Away by Thompson, Walker.

Walker takes the scenic route. Tries to get the shot away. He will get a

corner. Good play from Jamie walker. Twisted and turned away from Kenny

MacLean. The angle exceptionally narrow.

Trying to make an impact. Hamill on the outside of him.

Good strike for the goalkeeper. He brings it down.

A decent hit from Kevin McHate but off balance.

-- Mc Hatty. Almost a third in the closing stages

of the match. Thompson can't put it on target.

It is a big result for us and it gives us three points. It takes us a

little bit further away from Hearts. It takes us another place above kill

Farne mock -- Kilmarnock. It's nothing more than the players

deserve today. We asked them to go and continue where they left off on

Monday evening, and they did the little things very well on Monday,

and I am delighted that we've come here today and applied that

application, that desire, that hunger once again, and the finished

the job off today and been awarded with three valuable points. Only

nine games in, OK, it was a bad result today and a bit of a kick in

the teeth, but there is a still long way to go. I always say at the start

of the season this wasn't going to be easy especially with a young

side. Today was probably the first game this season where we've

probably not turned up for the last period of the game.

Huge credit to St Mirren. A smile finally on Stephen Thompson's face.

You were there yesterday. How culpable were Hearts in their own

downfall? I think apart from the first five, ten minutes, maybe 15 at

a push, there were I think Hearts started really well. It went

downhill from there. St Mirren all credit to them, they came back in

the game. I think you will see from all these clips, there are far too

many balls coming into the Hearts box. They weren't stopping the

crosses. They weren't picking up inside the box. This is a great

opportunity from McGowan. He needs to hit the target. I think there was

a little bit of an argument after that. Ken can I -- Kenny was saying

I should have passed it. So many chances for St Mirren, and Hearts

very culpable. They just didn't defend good enough at all. Was it a

purposeful tactic from St Mirren to get as many balls in the box? We've

been working on it in training, getting more bodies into the botch.

At times, our crosses will be coming into the box, John getting his

oversized head in the ball there! We've been working on it at

training. We get virtually fo men into the box every time the ball

goes in. Seeing this one again, he gets out to the ball but he's got to

stop that and he has Jamie McDonald and goals. That was a terrible one.

Hearts had an opportunity to go 1-1. They didn't score, and it just

wasn't a good goal from Hearts' perspective. A massive result for

your side. We saw some of the green shoots of recovery maybe on Monday

night against Aberdeen. You scored in that game, but in terms of

yesterday's game, what did it mean to you, what did it mean to

everybody associated with St Mirren? It is been a huge week for us. The

relief in the changing room was palpable. Mondays game, we showed

signs - Can I highlight the on-off there. I did control it with an area

of my body we shan't mention! It was important for us to build on Monday

which was a good performance but I think on Saturday, yesterday was the

first first time where everybody is performing to the levels that we

know people are capable of and they pect to perform at every week. Week.

It was no point not taking it into the next game. We're still down in

the strong area of the league. Michael, how do you rate Hearts'

youngsters of bouncing back from this? What does Gary Locke have to

do to finish Hearts finishing top of the table? He made a point it's

never going to be easy but it's only nine games in. I think with

youngsters, you don't want to let them get too high when things are

going well and not let them get too low when things are going badly. You

get that withperson, learn to ride a bit more in the middle. That's the

key this season that they try and keep their heads up. It is ten

points. If they get that down to five by Christmas - If they look at

every five points, they're minus 15 they started with, you will think

that's achievable. Definitely. They're looking at ten points I

think they are behind Kilmarnock. In the grand scheme of things, it is

not too bad. Next, we had Inverness against St Johnstone. It had been a

sticky few weeks for the home side without a league win since the

middle of August. Co-at the thunder things round -- could they turn

things around. They went into this match on the

back of a comfortable home victory over Hearts.

St Johnstone without injured central defender Stephen Anderson, Gary

Miller is the - Inverness are minus David Rasin, and Ian Polworth making

his first start. Room for him to drive it across

goal. That is McDonald, and it is scooped off the line by Dean Brill.

St Johnstone claiming a goal. Stephen MacLean the referee says no.

Fraser right with the long diagonal. Up went MacKay, driving forward,

Gary McDonald! May opens the scoring, with his seventh goal of

the season. They have blasted out of the blocks,

have St Johnstone, not looking like a team short on points in the

Premiership, playing with bags of confidence, this was a slick

build-up, May's finish 1-0. Brian Eastern, Chris and Miller.

Great passing and movement from Tommy White's team.

Wants it back from me. It is Steve MacKay.

What a goal that was. Inverness unable to do anything about this.

Bursting into the box, MacKay. Make that 2-0, and even already it

is looking like a long way back for Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Hasselbank threatening to go further ahead.

David Wutherspoon's corner. That flush was up ahead of Graham

Shinney. Josh meakings. A good touch from the teenager of Polworth. Room

for the shot. It was a good one. The first serious save of the match

for Alan Manus. May! Powerful strike.

And it was beaten away by Dean Brill the Inverness keeper has been very

busy. Racing away. Still Stevie May.

Wanted that one to bend inside the post rather than just outside it.

Losing pods. Stephen MacLaine dips L MacLaine chips it forward for the

Stephen May. Back to Stephen MacLean. That surely is game over as

Stephen MacLean picks his spot, no attempt to - no attempt at blasting

this. He was putting it where Dean wasn't going to get it - 3-0.

That just about sums things up today for the former Premiership leaders,

it seems. Possession given away cheaply by

Dorun. Stevie May loses it and then

immediately gets it back from Graham shinny. Wins the battle at the

corner and sets up MacLean. That surely round things off for St

Johnstone. It is goal number four. Their last win was 4-0 against Ross

County. Now it is 4-0 against Hibs. It has been -- Inverness Caledonian

Thistle. It has been stunning against St Johnstone. Inverness has

been thrown away. That was almost a complete performance from the first

whistle to the end against one of the best sides in the country, a

team that has only conceded four goals in the egg league. To do it

against Inverness shows you the goals in the egg league. To do it

quality of the performance. It took 16 games to get to 19 points last

year, we're there on eight, it hurts libelling this because we've lost

two away games in a row, we lost to Aberdeen. In a way, we're very, very

good. We were confide and stretched and we didn't get the second balls

in particular which we did against Hearts last week. Yes, it does hurt.

No-one likes to loose but -- no-one likes to lose but 4-0, they were

father better than us, we got a smashes, we've got to take it on the

chin and move on. Fantastic result for St Johnstone. Not the first time

this season, Stevie May started the show. Impressed by him. He got his

seventh goal of the season yesterday. He was involved in

everything that St Johnstone was doing. He links the play very well.

He looks really strong. He links up with MacLean ever so well. Lots of

one-twos, they're balancing off each other very well. Here, he comes

wide. He ends up toe-poking this across the face of the goal. It is a

third ball and Stevie doing the right bit at the right time. Says

Stevie wants to keep this form going and stick a claim for the Scotland

senior squad. He is already part of the under-21 set? There is no reason

why not. He ask one of those strikers that if he keeps scoring

goals like this, he's got the attributes. He is very physical and

that's one of the things he has worked on. He looks strong. The one

thing I would suggest an improvement would be that he would have to get

his haircut if he wants to get in the Scotland team. He looks more

like Brian May there! Why did it go so wrong for Inverness yesterday?

Pretty much a blip. He said he was disappointed, second to every ball.

Inverness have been so consistent for the last two years and this year

they've been superb again. I think he's got to put it down to a blip.

It's the first time he has played a changed side. They've been every

league game, had the same side, and yesterday had to make two changes,

and whether that will have an influence in the game or not, I

don't know. Inverness will continue to get stronger as the season goes

on. They're too good a side. Next to Celtic Park after their defeat to

Barcelona next week, always the possibility of a Champions' League

hang over. Stuart McCall hitting their

Premiership stride, five wins from the last six games. The record at

Celtic Park wasn't good. Pukki is the replacement today. No

McFadden or Anier more Motherwell. McFadden could be out with a

hamstring injury for a couple of weeks.

He picks out the cross as well. Hollis misses it completely, and

then it is brown. They couldn't get it through a ruck

of players. Hollis is mightily relieved about that, because he

missed that completely. Matthews wasn't expecting it.

Motherwell with one here since 1999. A much better record against the

Celtic at home. As you might expect, that's a great ball for comments

from Matthews. Well, he was taken right out of the game by Lalsli. He

has been stretchered off in the wake of that challenge.

James forest, he -- James For he was came on for Matthews as the

substitute. Still alive for the champions.

Not back there by stokes for cookie. Motherwell have done just enough in

defence but Celtic bossing things. ZBLCH Celtic have the chance to go

to the top of the Scottish Premiership today. This is Stokes,

and brown. Back in from Lustig. That is a

horrible bounce. It's taken it away from Hollis. That's Stokes! What a

good finish, the man for stokes. The goalkeeper came out but he was

in no man's land, he was helped by the bounce, but Stokes finding the

goalkeeper noting anywhere near it still had a lot of work to do.

Forest raps effort blocked as well by McMahon must. Thumbs up from Neil

Lennon. He is happy what he is saying. Carswell lost the ball.

Another one of these big runs up to the opposition penalty area.

Celtic live to rue the fact that 0- one could be - Motherwell have

plenty in support of this attack. It comes to Ainsworth.

Just before half-time. He puts it over making his first

start in the league. He scored a goat against Dundee

United recently. That's Commons. A great run from

Kris Commons. Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant from Commons.

Vigers gave it away but nothing to Commons' run here. He went all the

way himself, away from McManus and from hasly. It is a -- Lasly. He is

a man in form. Celtic have a few of those right now. The nutmeg on the

former Celtic manager set it all up. It is 2-0. Stuart McCall's team

haven't really performed as they can do in this game.

He botched it. Big chance for the Irishman's second.

Annier a sub. A real block from the steel men, you have to say...

Motherwell know one goal back into this, and the nerves could start to

jangle amongst the home support. It's Fraser Foster again. He's done

it again. That is outstanding. We want to improve on our domestic

form. I think it is been a great start. Obviously, the Champions'

League we're four points worse off. If we can do that, then it is been a

fantastic start considering the games and the workload that we have

had had over the last couple of weeks and months. I think any team

that finishes above Aberdeen will be in a European spot. There is a long

way to go and we will take the positives out of there. Comfortable

victory for Celtic. Looks like a bad injury for Adam Matthews who has

been Britain for Celtic, Michael. You expected him to be out possibly

by the end of the year with a collarbone injury? I think that's a

good tackle. Stevie Hamill has got the wall inside him. I can

understand why Celtic supporters weren't happy, it's not the tackle,

it's the way he's landed. It's football we're playing. There is

always going to be physical physical contact. I think it's a good tackle.

It is really unfortunate that Matthews got injured. It is been a

good week for Fraser Forster's team, then in the England squad, and this

is a save. He has been compensational for Celtic now for a

long period of time. He is so agile there, you know, considering how big

a guy he is, to be able to show theagility to make these kinds of

save. He couldn't time it better. Bad day for Motherwell, in terms of

Celtic, good goals from Stokes and Commons. Anthony Stokes this

contractual wrangling he's having with Celtic doesn't look like he

will sign for Celtic any time soon. Do they need to get him tied down?

We see here Commons scoring as well and the two of them have struck up a

good partnership. Celtic need to look at it from a case how much

would it cost to replace him? It's a no-brainer. He wants to stay there,

he's a Celtic guy, loves the club, he said that he wants to stay. It is

a simple deal as far as I am concerned that it's like a

referendum, yes or no, they will get down to doing it. You think they

will, Stephen? Ee, definitely, and Commons as well, that was his sixth

goal yesterday, and when he's not scoring goals, he's creating goals

for Celtic. He's been essensational. He talked about Celtic going through

this domestic season unbeaten. Is that realistic? It is possible, but

I think somewhere along the line they're going to lose the game. That

he will not be from the top of the league for the rest of the season,

that's for sure. It's good to see players coming out saying those

things, normally you hear the stereotypical it is one game at a

time. Celtic are capable of going through the Stephen undefeated.

Chances are they will lose one. . Shows a lot of confidence, that is

for sure. Tomorrow night, Partick thistle go searching for the first

home lead win of the season. The best of the action will be available

on the BBC Sport website from midnight tomorrow.

Working out a pattern to Ross County's season has been tricky so

far, hot and cold things up and down. They went into the match to

Aberdeen unchanged with Stephen Ross continuing to lead the line, as for

their opponents the only change - the story of this game, here is Jane

Lewis. Half an hour in, and there was a

substitution in this one - not a player change but referee was

injured and replaced by the fourth official. That caused a seven-minute

delay, but it didn't have an adverse effect on Ross County as they came

close. Stephen Ross did well to steer the

ball towards Quinn but Aberdeen goalkeeper, Jamesy Lang field,

followed the danger all the way. Aberdeen came into this game in

great form unbeaten six matches. But it was Ross County who made the

breakthroughful 52 minutes in. Good strength was shown, and then a

perfect ball for Quinn to run on to and neatly put put away. That is his

second goal of the season. Certainly well worthy of the celebrations, and

contrasting emotions from the dugouts.

The angle was a tight one, and Quinn finished brilliantly.

Aberdeen not happy with that, and they were left frustrated when they

felt Ritchie Britain handled the ball in the area. A nice

turn-and-shot - ball to hand or not, the referee well-placed as play was

waved on. Both sides continued to carve out chances. MacLean's ball to

Paul Ross a good one as was his attempt to get the better much Jamie

better much Jamie Lang field's. Great work from Graham Kerry, but

Lukeson should have done better perhaps with the header.

Another header, this time from Aberdeen, and Niall Aberdeen, and

Ross County held on for another home win which halted the dons' unbeaten

run. We know that, for us to be at our best and to cause opposition

more problems, we've got to play with mortem at the. If we started

the game the way we finished, we may well have had a better outcome. I

was frustrated in the first half because we had good play, got

ourselves in good areas, didn't take the opportunities to take the goals.

You feel that the other team might get the opportunity. Then you get

late on in the game, Aberdeen pushed everybody forward but to win 1-0,

keep another clean sheet, that's the third of the seaso that is pleasing.

They saw a steadier ship than they were earlier in the season, and De

Lewe, what do you make of him? Highlighted this one, where I think

Stevie Ross, we circled him, he makes a great run pulling the

defence to the right-hand side. There is a huge gap at the left-back

area, and I think Quinn makes a great overlapping run. There is a

good pass from De Leuwe there. He spots the run. Something you would

be proud of, Tom. Indeed, it was a phenomenal header. You need to take

into account that they've brought in a lot of players Holland,

especially, and no matter where you're going to a new club,

especially to a foreign country, and Ross count bi- have had a settled

team four or five years. This year was the biggest turnover they have

had. With the form players coming in, that's been the reason why

they've been inconsistent to begin with. It looks like he's finding his

feet. In terms of the Aberdeen results, not a good result for them.

Did you guys take it out of them on the Monday night? I don't think so.

That's Aberdeen's first league defeat I think in six games. They

have had a very good start to the season.

You know, it will Derek a bit of time in

He found space for the shot and forced Craig Sampson to get down

there to make the save. A good build-up play from United, and Gold

off the right foot this time. Spots the pass. And back off the

post. Greatest moveme there. Fine pass

through from goal. He found the upright.

Robertson - continuing his run. He was looking for the ball for him

at the back post. Fine stop again by Craig Sampson.

United creating another opening. It is Sampson once more to deny

United. Excellent shot-stopping there by the

man who was in the last Scotland squad. Dropped out this time, but

certainly showing the form that's caught the eye of Gordon Strachan.

Excellent finish by Nadir Ciftci. United in front.

The man from Turkey dispatched it beyond Sampson. It was a terrific

volley. His fifth goal of the season, and what a great accusation

he has been for Jackie McNamara. That wasn't far away. He's gottwo

goals so far this season. He's trying to claim his third there.

Killie fans are a bit bemused at the moment. Some not too happy with that

man. There is Jackson out there.

Certainly got down there well to make the save from the Kilmarnock

substitute. He's been on the park a couple of

seconds and already he's testing the goalkeeper.

It is Craig stamp some again to the rescue for Kilmarnock.

Frustration for GoodWilly but excellent skills from the man they

called GMS. High boot there from a Kilmarnock

defender. It still wouldn't go for Kilmarnock.

Kilmarnock still looking for a leveller.

A great save, that. It looks as though Kilmarnock are steering the

statistic ten games out a win. I thought we is could have made it a

bit more comfortable. While it is 1-0, Kilmarnock are still in the

game, and it is taken a fantastic goal for the -- fantastic save for

the goalie there. I've got to take responsibility for that. It is me

that picks the time, does the tactics, so, goes on my shoulders,

you take the plaudits when it is going well and the flak when it is

not. This guy, Nadir Ciftci fast becoming a cult hero at Tannadice.

He has come from Dutch football, impressed. How have you been by him?

I remember when he first started the season a couple of games, and he

struggled a little bit but technically he was a good player. He

has shown that technique a fair bit of strength and pace as well. This

is a fantastic ball, a lot to be desired from Kilmarnock's defending,

defending, mind you, but you have to have quality to produce that. We've

got him highlighted here. The amount of space that he's allowed by

Kilmarnock, as that ball comes back from GoodWilly, the Kilmarnock

defence need to close him down. It means he's got enough space to get a

shot off. Not taken away from him, that's a fantastic finish, but from

Kilmarnock's perspective, that's not good enough defending. Ful Ciftci

has had great tradition of bringing through young talent. I was there

myself on Monday! Here is Ryan Gold. He's an exceptional player. Look at

his passing. Such vision and skill. If you believe the paper he hassing

tracked by Real Madrid. Again, composure on the ball, but my advice

to the youngsters would be stay, play. They've only played I think

under SPL sports. They've got to learn and play the game, make 100

games for Dundee United, wait until your 17, 18,, 20 years old. Get 100

games under your belt. They will be developed as players, no doubt about

that. You would hate to see them go down south, and you get lost down

there, playing the reserves in a big team. You see the thing is, if they

were to move down south, you see a lot of youngsters on these clubs go

out on loan to teams anyway. They're going to get the experience and

learn their trade where they are. Good business by Dundee United,

signed three-year contracts in January. That's basically the

situation at many Scottish clubs find themselves in at the moment. Of

course, good business, signing them up, it means that they can plan for

the future, and as you said, great bit of business from Dundee United.

That is it in terms of the action for the season. Let's look at the

Premiership table, and how it is changed:

Time also for a sneak preview of tomorrow's back pages. Here's what

they will be saying: The Scottish Sun: This

is the Rangers' story rumbling on. No Sportscene next Sunday. The long

international break is here. From all of us here, good night.