06/12/2015 Sportscene

Good evening and welcome to Sportscene. That's unbelievable!

It's a spectacular opening goal in the derby. The shot is a beauty! A

chance. Is this a bit of history? It is! It's there! What a finish! That

is it. The heavy rain and strong wind is

having an impact. The Hearts versus Inverness game has been postponed.

St Mirren versus Queen of the South is off...

Good evening and a warm welcome after what's been

Storm Desmond battered Scotland's football fixtures.

But Sportscene survives - in shorter form this evening -

with three matches that made it through the rain.

With us in the studio tonight, windswept and interesting,

Michael Stewart and Scott McDonald, who for once enjoyed a Saturday

Dundee looking for their first home league win over

Despite the lack of wins and run of draws, Paul Hartley selected the

same 11 that started last Friday's game in Perth.

Paul Quinn has a virus so hasn't travelled. Ryan Jack is fit again

but is among the subs, the rest of the Aberdeen team picks itself.

It's been a bright start to proceedings by the Dons. McLean goes

down. Rooney claimed it should have been an advantage, but it might have

been getting away from him anyway. Kenny McLean. Not bad. It might have

been going past in any case, but Scott Bain didn't know that. He made

sure. These were very exciting games last

season. Aberdeen had the better of it. It's a Dons corner. The one

Dundee success against Aberdeen last season was in the Scottish Cup. It

was fired in to McGinn and Scott Bain did enough. Bain has dropped

it. Taylor. The keeper recovers. These are testing times for the

Dundee rear guard. Real pressure from Aberdeen. It is

Hayes' ball in, Taylor, to McGinn! It's pressure that pays off for

Aberdeen. McGinn has been superb in the game so far. He was the catalyst

against Ross County last week. He's got the Dons off and running at Dens

Park. Taken away from Low, away from

McGinn, good play by Niall McGinn. This is Aberdeen at their swaggering

best. That's good play from Stewart. He's

found Low. He's brought it back for a free kick here, Shinnie and

Considine - it might have been inside, you know. It's Low's free

kick. He left Aberdeen in the summer. He

will be keen to make an impression. McGowan has been pickpocketed by

another St Mirren man in Kenny McLean. Rooney. McGinn. Aberdeen are

probing. Hayes. Rooney! It's two. This is great build-up from

Aberdeen. What a good ball in by Johnny Hayes. He's been putting them

on a plate for Adam Rooney for years. He does so again. Rooney is

up to 11. Aberdeen haven't won away from home since that superb victory

at Tynecastle in September. That's Hayes. 2-0 up and looking for a

third before half-time. At the moment, they are looking a certainty

for the three points. It was Rooney who attacked it. No corner.

Nice flick by Stewart to Hemmings. Low.

Low goes himself. There hasn't been too much for the Dundee supporters

to get excited about in this first half. Nicky Low trying to provide

them with something. Stewart is going to get on to this now.

He will be disappointed. He can be so lethal with that left foot.

Stewart against Shinnie. Loy. Gets the break.

They are seeing more of the ball in the final third and that will give

encouragement to Paul Hartley and his players. Five without a win on

the road for Derek McInnes. Pawlett, the half-time sub. McLean over the

bar. Pawlett's initial effort was saved

by Bain and right on a plate for McLean. Might have been slipping at

the time - he was, to give him the benefit of the doubt.

A good run by Holt, didn't have the end product.

Four 1-1 draws in a row for Dundee. That won't be happening today.

Pawlett! Close. Went for power. He screws it off the bar.

Pawlett has his head down. He's looked lively since replacing McGinn

at the break. He is away from McPake. Good run. He has tested Bain

again. Both came through the Pittodrie youth system about the

same time. Dundee, if they are going to get

back into this, they need a goal here, you feel. Hemmings. Ward takes

no chances with it. They have left themselves with too much work to do,

you feel. Hemmings. Still Hemmings. Still... He's come closest, that's

for sure. Nikki Low -- Nicky Low scored

Aberdeen's second in the Cup Final. The horse has bolted for Hartley and

Co. I don't think we started well enough. Give credit to Aberdeen,

they started quicker than us. We knew that anyway. I felt that we

just didn't perform, we were off the mark in terms of it defensively as a

team and offensively as a team. We didn't pass the ball well. We didn't

defend well. We didn't stop the crosses coming in, we gave away too

many set plays. It's tough enough without the conditions, both sets of

players had to endure that, an energy-sapping pitch. I thought the

energy we showed, the eagerness to get after the game, the start in the

game was vital, and I thought that was evident in getting us the two

goals, I thought we imposed ourselves on the game. Terrific win

for Aberdeen. A fine run in the league at Dens Park continues. A

quick mention of Dundee. Seven games without a win, Scott. You play

yourselves at Fir Park next weekend, can you see them getting dragged

into that battle at the bottom of the table? We hope so. We are at

home. Our fortunes have been changing under the new management.

It's a game we look forward to, after the postponement this weekend.

Look, we need points, as does quite a few down there. It is one - it is

not a six-pointer or one that is a must-win. We'd like to win it! The

form is not the best, seven games without a win, Dundee. But 1-0 down

in this match, could they have had a penalty? Should they have had a

penalty? Technically, yes, it is a penalty. You can understand why the

referee has not given it. Low never gets into the box, he still falls

outside it. You see that the referee is very close there, but it's

understandable not seeing that. Technically, yes, a penalty. It

would be harsh to criticise the referee there. You probably could

say - we keep talking about this video technology, you know. Is it a

possibility for things and incidents like that, not just for offsides or

goal line, for incidents like that. Aberdeen moves to within four points

of Celtic, four points ahead of Hearts. We will talk about title

challenges next weekend, if Hearts - if Aberdeen can get a victory. What

was going on with the Aberdeen corners? They were causing - they

were looking to cause some confusion with the Dundee defence. Look,

ultimately, it didn't come to anything, in these clips we have got

here. As an attacking team, you don't want to be standing in there

static, you want to be on the move, it gives you an advantage when you

have a running jump. I think it is clearly trying to keep Dundee on

their toes and get them thinking about what is going to happen. Cause

a bit of chaos. This one comes back out to the second cross, they get

the goal from it. Yeah. I don't think that specifically was anything

to do with it. It is just looking to get the teams thinking defensively.

Do you see Aberdeen returning to their early season form? I do. They

have found a bit of that form again. Certain individuals now are

certainly picking up their form as well. Niall McGinn performed really

well again and Adam Rooney is amongst the goals again. They will

be favourites to be second, I think. We shouldn't say it, but the title

is all but won. OK. Aberdeen fans will

have enjoyed that. And those who were around 40 years

ago today will enjoy this as well. Straight from the Sportscene

archives, Rangers the visitors Long ball through the middle, it

must be for Aberdeen. Jarvie scores. Six minutes to go. Aberdeen 1,

Rangers 0. St Johnstone travelled north to play

Ross County in search County in contrast had been beaten

in three of their last four matches. They stick with the same side that

lost 3-1 to Aberdeen last time out. St Johnstone are in better form, but

they made three changes from last weekend. Fisher, Scobee and Craig

Cumming. --: come in. Conditions are far from ideal. Fish are playing it

Craig. That pass goes astray. Gary Woods. Straight into the back of the

net, would you believe? He just took the gamble to close down Gary Woods

and it pays off. On that occasion, he got the break and St Johnstone go

in front. Ross County looking to counter that poor start as quickly

as possible. Here is Martin Woods. It's a good ball in. That was batted

away by Alan Mannus. A good run to the near post by Boyce. Glancing

header well parried by the keeper. Liam Craig. A swirling delivery.

That had Gary Woods in all sorts of trouble but he does well to claw it

away in the end. He could not direct that goalwards. Forster curls in the

cross and that's a chance and a good opportunity. It is headed wide by

Murdoch. Wetherspoon, the scorer of the only goal in the match. Goes

past Murdoch and goes for goal again and he finds it. Two For St

Johnstone. It's his third goal in two games. The keeper might feel as

though he should have done better with that one. It goes straight over

his hands. It was well hit. St Johnstone have a comfortable lead.

Boyce does well to get that back to Woods. Straight down the throat of

Alan Mannus, though. It was well struck.

Jackson Irvine with the early cross. There is Boyce, and county have a

goal back midway through the second half. It's a good cross by Irvine

and they take the gamble at the near post and it pays off to bring co

right back into the match. -- County. He buys the corner kick for

his side. It is in. From two goals down Ross

County are level. The recriminations and there are questions being asked

in the St Johnstone backline. They knew precious little about this. It

ricochets off his head. Ross County will feel as though they have a

chance to take all three points having looked out of the match at

half-time. Here they come once more. Here is Jonathan Franks with the

cross. Boyce with the header. Did not connect properly. This was a

real opportunity for the Northern Ireland striker.

Maclean flicks it on and oh how the RAM has the pace to get past Davis.

He is hauled down. The referee Kevin Clancy will put Andrew Davies in the

book for that. In fact he was going away from goal, perhaps that is what

saved him from the red card. Nevertheless St Johnstone have a

real chance from the set piece. Dave Mackay curls it in and that will

surely win it for St Johnstone in the closing stages. The captain 's

first goal of the season will surely give St Johnstone their seventh win

away from home in a row. At this moment in time we are going through

a spell where the players are performing. In periods in the game.

When we don't... When we have possession that is when we seem to

be losing goals and it is not a good thing to have. At 2-2 I thought we

were going to lose. If he is not found he was in with the keeper.

Dave Mackay, we know that he is capable of doing a wonderful free

kick. Seven straightaway victories for St Johnstone leaves you

wondering, is this the best St Johnstone side ever? Can they finish

second and beat Celtic next weekend? Maybe yes and yes. I think possibly

it is the best St Johnstone team, certainly the most consistent. Yes,

they could finish second and beat Celtic next week. The job that they

have done there is phenomenal, seven away wins on the trot and that

speaks volumes as well. Great character being shown as well. A few

comical moments. Let's take a look. It was a day to forget for the Ross

County keeper. The first couple of minutes of the game, he is trying to

wait for the ball to settle and he gives the striker too much

encouragement. He has tried to kick it out the park but it is good

closing down by the striker and he gets his reward. This one is

comical. He just does not see it. It goes through bobbies and I will give

him the benefit of the doubt. You don't like this? You are

highlighting Jackson Irvine, it goes over his head and lands two yards

from the post, you want to get at least one man outside of the post so

that the guy can't bend it round. He has gone over the last man and it

has landed two yards inside the post. That has not been lined up

well. Four defeats in 54 Ross County. The one they won was against

us! Do you see them warming up their cheque-book? He has put his money

where his mouth is. They are recruiting well. If Jim wants

funding he will probably get it. We were speaking about continuity

within St Johnstone. They have got a similar sort of group so to speak

since the turn of the year. Last season. They have had a fantastic

group. I do think he would want to make too many changes. I think there

are peaks and troughs and people go through the spells and they seem to

be having one at the moment. Next to Rugby Park where Kilmarnock

hosted bottom club Dundee United - two sides who'd been left licking

their wounds after demoralising COMMENTATOR: Gary Locke made four

changes to the Kilmarnock team beaten 5-2 at home by Partick

Thistle, the first art in three months for Kris Boyd. United have

employed there far travelled Frenchman.

In goes Findlay and now Kris Boyd. That is Craig Slater. Josh

Magennis. That is a great ball in and Kris Boyd is back in the team

and back among the goals. Didn't he enjoy that? That is more than you

can say for the Dundee United defends here. It's a great ball in

by McGuinness. The three Dundee United defenders could not get close

to Kris Boyd. McGuinness with the long throw and it's allowed to

bounce inside the six yard box and what a save that is. Scrambling the

ball off the line after the hook shot. That is desperate defending

again. That was short with the pass and

surely that's a foul. Advantage played but not this time for the

foul by Connelly on Spittle. And a booking coming the way of Craig

Slater and a free kick for the Tannadice team. That is saved by

McDonald but here is Mackay. Penalty given. Against Stuart Findlay. And

it is a red card for the 20-year-old on loan from Celtic. It was Mackay

who kept this alive for Dundee United. It looked like a tap in.

There was a touch by Findlay and down he went. Penalty and red card.

A double whammy. Billy McKay, midway through the first half makes it 1-1.

It's just as well Mackay is scoring for United because at the moment, he

is the only person scoring for Dundee United.

Mackay is onside and he fails to take his chance. You had your money

on Mackay here to make it a quickfire double. The whole

complexion of the game is changing at Rugby Park. McGuinness on the

complexion of the game is changing move. Play goes on. It is played

in, and what an opportunity for Kris Boyd to score again. It seems to

come at him quickly. McGuinness was in the middle and Kris Boyd had the

chance. He the Reds it through. Spittle was

surely held back. He had a fistful of his shirt. There is no penalty.

Had it been given it had to be a red card as well and have been down to

nine men. He is furious. John Rankin. Spittle is in with another

opportunity for Dundee United. Reminiscent of the game the previous

weekend against Hamilton. Chances going begging here. Dylan's header

goes straight to Kielty, coming off the bench for Kilmarnock. Now it is

Craig Slater. Slater! Great effort, and so close for ten man Kilmarnock

to getting themselves in front again. Curling shot, that had the

beating of the goalkeeper. That was a good effort. And a flying

save from Jamie McDonnell, might have been going slightly wide. The

goalkeeper could not take any chances. I thought we started the

game brilliantly and we were on the front foot and created a lot of

chances to go 1-0 up and then obviously the decision, the penalty

turns the game. After that we still looked really good on the break and

I thought the boys did brilliantly. We were lucky not to win in the end.

The general play was not too bad. Of course we need to improve a few

things on the defensive side. I think it was a fantastic ball into

the box. We should have defended the situation better. We need to get

back to the training ground and improve. A point for both sides but

how many penalties should Dundee United have had? I think one, but

not the one they got. Yes, there is contact but is there enough to go

down? Surely he would tap it in unless he was impeded? No, his feet

are not in front of him and he is not sliding. This is 100% penalty

and a red card. I understand how the referee does not give it because

when you see the other angle there are so many bodies in front of him.

He just can't see the shirt pulling with too many folk in front of him.

That is definitely a penalty. He has not given the referee a decision to

make. It is one of those, it is great to see the player staying on

his feet but his manager is going mad, why did you not go down?

Because then the referee has to make a decision. Storm Desmond yesterday

meant that you are having your feet up, summer football? Is it something

you would like to see? Definitely. I have spoken about it before and I

think it would be grateful game. If not at the highest level I believe

that our grassroots it should happen. It is not fair on the young

kids that had to go out there and try to get football pitches. I know

that there are more Astroturf pitches but we could go on about it

all day. I'm a big believer. And you, Michael? It definitely has to

be looked at because there are lots of positives for summer football. I

would not jump in with two feet at the moment but there is definitely

need for a big discussion. After all of that this is what the Ladbrokes

Premiership table looks like. No positional changes,

Aberdeen four points behind Celtic, St Johnstone just one point

behind the Jambos. Dundee United still resolutely

in single figures. There was one game that survived

the weather in the Championship Dumbarton jumped

from ninth to seventh with victory Mark Docherty taking advantage

of the swirling wind to score direct from

a corner with 19 minutes remaining. And three minutes from time

the points were made safe. Grant Gallagher with

a close-range header. A few reports suggesting that Mark

Warburton was linked with the Swansea job, the Rangers manager. If

Gary Monk goes. And Stubbs being linked with Reading. Is that

something that Hibs and Rangers will have to get used to? Being linked

with big jobs down south? It shows that they are doing a good job and

obviously the fact that those guys are from down south as well,

ultimately there will be a stage when they will go back down, but

both of them will be here for a good time to come. Michael and Scott,

thank you very much fought a night. Gray

It's going to take more than Storm Desmond to take Sportscene

when we'll have more than three games, hopefully.