08/04/2017 Sportscene

was the threat through it. The second half, it was scrappy, Dundee

fought their way back into it. It would certainly be a massive boost

for the boss, taking away some of the criticism for them. If it stays

that way, it will be one person -- one point away from both. You've got

to be concerned because you would be hitting reverse with five straight

defeats going into the date's game. A real chance to equalise. He

fluffed it. He's miles wide. It looked easy to score. That's the

last thing they need at this stage of the season. They need to pick up

points. They've been on a bad run but a big three points if they can

hold on. For Dundee, it's another poor results and you don't know

where your next point will come from. We talk about pressure on

manager is so much through the course of the season. At this stage,

is any manager at risk of losing his job, given how tight it is at the

end? No, there's nothing positive from changing your manager with six,

seven games left. But certainly for five managers who will be sweating

as we go into these last six games. -- four or five managers. Seems like

they have a lot of domination of possession if that is any guide. For

a while, Kilmarnock back into that match and look like Celtic might be

a bit complacent. They had drawn their two previous matches but

accelerating away once again. Yes, the manager wants to get in, get

players in but that should add something to the mix because

everybody will want to play in that semifinal, so I thought they gave a

performance labour Kilmarnock lost 6-1 earlier this season. A different

team now. Christian can't play against Celtic and they miss him at

the back. He's a big player for them. Ross County currently 1-1. Big

goal. They were down. As it stands, a 2-point gap over Dundee and it

could prove to be a hugely important goal. It could be a massive goal but

the contentious point was the sending off. We watched it coming

in. For me it is not a sending off, it's a yellow at best. He completely

misses the Ross County player. Hamilton are now battling away with

ten men. They've done well to stay in the game. Ross County have been

putting a lot of pressure on them. So five matches in the Premiership

today. One big match tomorrow in the Premiership and it takes place at

the tawdry stadium. Aberdeen going into that match

second in the table and of course a great midweek home victory against

Inverness and Caledonian Thistle. They've got the momentum and it

continues. Gas. It continues, especially at home. Caledonian

Thistle are battling, working Aberdeen. They've got back quality.

He must see that every time he goes to sleep, in his nightmares! Yes,

I'm not sure what he did. It's going to be the rest of the season. That's

asked to-0 down. But, yes, Aberdeen have been superb. Celtic have beaten

them this season. Ten games unbeaten at home. I expect them to go and win

the game comfortably. In terms of Rangers, midweek it was a 0-0 draw.

Craig Paterson, the big news was that Pedro named his team well in

advance, giving Lee McCulloch, the manager, plenty of time to prepare.

They are saying, the young left back is about five foot eight. They

knocked high balls and it kept them playing in the Rangers have so I

think it gave Dominic a little bit of an advantage. I'm not sure if

it's something he is used to using but it certainly strange and it

probably works more position than Rangers. You're baffled by Ed? Yes,

I think you're giving advantage to the opposition. I don't see the

benefit of giving your team lines away. The managers I've worked with

them to give them away. There are more events. This all

happening. It is turning into a horrible action Inverness. Down to

ten men and St Johnstone a penalty. Here comes Liam Craig, he takes his

time. His lot it in to the corner. Saint Johnson two, Inverness, zero.

That is a hammer blow for Inverness. It is looking 30 grams. In terms of

tomorrow between Aberdeen and Rangers, has named the Aberdeen

team. He is saying he has done his homework but I think it's a bit

disrespectful. I think the Aberdeen players will see it as that. Korea

to the press, I'm not sure what that is all about. There's been a couple

of decisions since he arrived at for me have been a fling and very

different. If that ease going to be, fine, but you got to back that up

with results. What is the explanation for this? He wants to be

different and if you are different, that's great but needs to get the

make it look big it makes any sense? It would be more different if he

changes his team every week and there were major changes. When

you're on a good run but you are, churning with in team out the

majority of people would get ten out of 11. It's about getting to know

his players, deciding who he wants to keep, who he needs to bring in

and is there a budget to do and he has the semifinal against Celtic.

There's no chance of catching Aberdeen per second place, he has to

get Rangers muttering into that again. He says ease expecting a trip

to help tomorrow. Wind, lose or draw, do you see Rangers managing to

get second-place? No, I don't. I've been there as a Rangers player and

the atmosphere is brilliant. It is not hell, it is brilliant. It is

always a feisty match and I'm expecting the same on Sunday. It's a

great atmosphere for a good game. Do you see any sort of Rangers victory

because they are 12 points behind? They do need to wind if they got any

hope of second place. Do you think they have a hope? They have a

chance. They were unlucky to lose the free kick. They beat Aberdeen at

Ibrox but the problems for Rangers or draw. Both teams have lost seven

games. That's why he would give them the edge because they have that

little extra firepower. How much credit does Derek deserved for this?

So much, I thought how much more can he do with this Aberdeen side,

specially with being stronger? He has done it and better. It is

phenomenal how distant he has been in terms of his team and they

deserve every plotted going. I think we have another goal and it has come

in the match between Inverness and St Johnstone. Inverness have simply

fallen apart. The Johnson now had three goals and they just watch the

ball into the net. It went further onto the next guy who was Graham

Cummings and he just slammed it home from about eight yards. The fans

here are streaming out, they know Inverness are now in deep, deep

trouble. It is 3-0. An ominous scoreline for Inverness. A great

scoreline present Johnson if they have had a turbulent week the terms

of their have been fined for Mac weeks wages. But they catch on? You

think so? I don't know but I think there's an opportunity that they

can. In The Times post-split, the last two or three seasons, Saint

Johnson finished Ray Wells or it wouldn't surprise me if they gave

Ainger is a good run. The Johnson tend to finish the season strongly.

This result means they will be three points behind, do you think they can

catch Rangers? Is debited possible. If they wind today, that is three

winds out of five. The full-time whistle of around Scotland. Great

scenes of celebration as part of this law secure a place in the top

six for the first time since the introduction of the split and they

will have their best league finish since 1981. The match decided for

the 13th goal of the season coming after 11 minutes time. A second goal

eluded the home side in the opening 45 minutes. Two changes made at

half-time. The second half was more of a contest. Motherwell Oglaigh na

hEireann best chance of an equaliser, a brilliant diving header

but the ball was clawed away despite Motherwell appealing that it had

crossed the line. It's been a great afternoon, a great last eight games.

Huge congratulations to project before. They are in top six. A huge

achievement. When you consider they won one of their nine games. Because

the what a team they would be, but massive for which. The players he

has brought in they are a. 13 you don't want to play because they are

always. If. An absolutely brilliant afternoon for the in the end. Or

really in relegation trouble who opened its absolutely spot on

benefits had a lot of ball, a lot of territory, they couldn't get enough

on the stop to quickfire. He obviously said something after being

cautioned and off he went and Saint Johnson went but the throat but

Craig slotted home a penalty into the corner slammed home, they could

have had another. Inverness, rooted to the bottom and really need a

winner Greg at Motherwell. I'm at the top of the table clash.

This means the Road club could wrap up the championship title next week

at home so need results elsewhere their way. As for today, Cummings

opened the scoring is, his 21st goal of the season. Play left foot shot

into the back of the net. Lies are coming from the penalty spot after

this date had been brought down by the Gregor. An easy task for the

referee. A great maturity or Graham. A wonderful pass by John again. He

delayed his advert. It would have been a winner. A glorious afternoon

here, watched by a cloud of 4229. It finished 1-1. But versus Dundee. It

finished 1-0 here in the glorious sunshine. It gives them a run of

defeats. Hart, is the first half and lead was almost added to with a

powerful header. Dundee substitute Craig White had a

terrific opportunity to level in 63 minutes seemed to kick the ball into

the top and it spun wide stop the chance went begging. Cards always

seemed to be able to hold on, which they did all three points. Celtic

wrapped up the title last weekend. This afternoon they were at home to

Nick. It finished 3-1 and, Nick gave Celtic a guard of honour as they

made their way onto the pitch. Took a deflection to give Celtic the

opener midway through the first half. Baltic dominated position

throughout this match and they were stunned in 65 minutes when Monica

went up. Celtic responded. Brendan Rodgers men made it 2-1 after 71

minutes. Five minutes later, James Forrest but the header. That made it

3-1 at the Celtic so they continue this unbeaten domestic run. 39 games

unbeaten domestic league. It finished 1-1 in what turned out

to be a butter point the county in the circumstances because the host

had to pay the first second half when this mild. The fact that ease

played for clubs like a C Milan showed in his finish from the edge

of the box. He got the ball and curled it beautifully into the top

corner. And it still looked vulnerable but they were holding out

until just before half-time. It was a turning point. It looked like a

foul but it did not neglect a red card. Yellow card at most but the

referee showed a straight red card to the Greek and that was meaning

1-0 at the break but Hamilton down to ten. Ross County pushed forward

and the goal, the equaliser came from Craig Curran. A corner wasn't

cleared properly and he hammered in his seven goal of the season. There

was a great chance at the end for Hamilton to steal all three against

expectations. A counterattack fired over but overall, a great home

record from Holden who have not lost here since the 24th of December on

Christmas Eve, against Celtic. Seven games unbeaten at home. A big match

at the bottom of the championship. It finished 1-1. The poorest

performance in weeks. A fine first half. Saints took the lead after ten

minutes. His third goal of the season together since the lead.

Dumbarton equalised. A penalty was then mist. Stephen McGill was

wrestled in the box. The second half was poor. Eventually, there was a

red card, a second yellow. Not a great performance. It finished 1-1.

Staying in the law end of the championship, John Furlan against

Raith Rovers. The penalty took Dunfermline Closer to safety in the

championship. The decisive moment came when Rovers captain bundled

over Paul Merton on in the box and Higginbotham chipped the bottom down

for his seventh goal of the season. He was one of the classier act

during a pretty per game of football. But when came after 48

minutes. It was nervy stuff at that point. After that, they put the game

to bed. Clark, uncharacteristically, missing two chances. But the them

straight at the goalkeeper. No team can afford to pass up

chances but especially when it applies to Raith Rovers, having just

scored two away goals since October. They have just won twice in their

last 21 league matches. It will take a miracle to stay in the

championship. Let's stay at the bottom of the championship. It won't

have escaped your attention that the one - one draw means that St Mirren

are of the bottom of the champion ship table. I was waiting all

afternoon to hear chicks voice booming out but it never arrived! We

will take the point because I think nothing of the bottom of the league

gives you that psychological lift. They have been there for so long. We

had the game in hand, should they wind that,. You're getting a little

bit cocky now, Roger? We could be right out of the play-offs. Been

playing well recently, no doubt about it. Today they played as well

as they have been doing but I will take a point.

Let's have a look at the classified results.

Let's have a look at how that leaves all the tables. Aberdeen play

tomorrow against Rangers, of course. Congratulations to Partick Thistle.

Motherwell in second to bottom place for the time being.

As we were discussing before the classifieds, Saint Mirren off the

bottom of the table. A United take their place.

Congratulations to Livingston after that result today. They are

champions and will be playing League 1 football next season.

Let's head down south for a look at the English Premier League table.

There it comes. Tottenham Hotspur with that great victory against

Watford this afternoon, they narrowed the gap on Chelsea. Chelsea

playing Bournemouth later this evening.

And at the bottom, Swansea city still in the relegation places after

that defeat by West Ham United this afternoon.

This is how the championship looks for the time being. Brighton and

Hove lead the way after their victory against QPR. Newcastle still

have a chance playing Sheffield Wednesday this evening to reclaim

top spot. Let's find out how that went on in

League 1 this afternoon. The match between Livingston of their

opponents. A beautiful day to be promoted into

the championship, and that's exactly what Livingston did this afternoon.

Two chances for their opponents in the early minutes but both were

quickly forgotten. A clean cut strike gave them the lead. A

stunning solo effort down the left wing gave them their second goal. A

corner kick and confusion in the box gave their opponents a goal but it

was too little, too late as the final whistle indicated. A title win

for Livingston and promotion to the championship.

Congratulations to them. Back to the championship. Well done

to them, you have to say. When you go down disappointed but you have to

have to try to keep your team together. They stuck with their

manager he could get the job done. Livingston definitely the class act

in that division. I think we can hear from the Saint Johnstone

manager now. Great victory against Inverness. A fabulous result, a very

good performance and a good afternoon. Yes, the end of a very

good week and a positive result against hearts during the week. We

knew it was difficult coming up there. We had to defend, lots of

balls in the box, so I think we went in 1-0 at half-time and then got a

good goal. Second-half, not a lot in the game but we looked comfortable

enough. Then the sending-off, adjusted to the men we were

ruthless. We scored two, we could have maybe scored two or three more.

Finish the game on a real high. What a remarkable job he does. We've

talked about him a lot. To get another victory against Caledonian

Thistle when they are three points behind Rangers. I thought they dealt

with that well and it's been a fantastic week for them. Every year

producing the top six. They never change to many of their playing

staff and tea extract every single ounce of effort he can from his

players. They organised, everybody knows their job. Nothing fancy about

them but fantastic for them this season. We watched the pictures

coming in here. Did you see anything from it that now suggests Caledonian

Thistle, who are four points from bottom, can stay in this division?

Absolutely not. Motherwell was their last victory way back and they are

drawing games but they are getting way, way behind. They are not that

far adrift but the good thing about the post-split is all the teams

playing, you are going to play those that you fancy beating, but they

have to play to get back. I think a lot is resting on this game next

week. They play Motherwell. That game has propelled itself into the

massive category. If Inverness lose that, I can't see a way back. If

they win it, is down to appoint a game. But everything lies on this

game this weekend. OK. Could be a valuable point in the final equation

in the Ross County game. A good point in the circumstances

but you probably feel you should have had a lot more out of today.

Definitely. In the first half we scored a good goal. More comfortable

in the game and I thought we could go on and scored again in the second

half. A big decision on half-time, the referee with the sending-off.

Janus has gone for the ball and I think it looks worse than it is

because of the speed they are going out. But no intent in the tackle at

all. Just trying to block the ball. How he can see that as a red card,

for me it just isn't. And I always say it - referees have a hard job at

that speed. But it seems to be for us that we are on the wrong end of a

few decisions. I know you've been predicting the

worst for them but they are actually putting together a half decent home

wrecker, aren't they? Yes, Craig and I were talking about it just

off-camera. It's pretty much save them up to this point in time and

today's result, he was right what he said. The sending-off is not a

sending-off whatsoever and had they kept him on the pitch they might

have well gone on to win the game but they will be happy with the

draw. We can now prospect of the Caledonian Stadium. The Inverness

manager on the end of a sore result today that has left his team four

points adrift. Obviously not the result you want.

You lose ground at the bottom. What were your thoughts on what happened

out here today? The chances to put the ball in the back of the net,

whether it was enough. I think sometimes there were two crosses in

the box. Corner after corner. We didn't have that desire to put our

heads on the ball, that passion. There's a confidence issue as well

that I can see with a lot of players. It's a tough time of the

season. It's tough bottom of the table but I need the players to

stand up and be counted and not enough of them did that today.

What did you make of that post match interview? A bit flat. You can't

celebrate a win, you can't get something to build on. Week after

week. Nothing to build on, a springboard. We spoke about

Motherwell next week. Absolutely massive game for them. They need

something to lift them and their supporters. They are conceding too

many and they don't score. You can't rely on one person to get your

goals. Others have to chip in and the games are running out. You think

you will be running out of hope? I think so. Certainly a very flat

interview. Craig's right. They concede far too many goals. The

confidence issue he spoke about, the ruthlessness. It's a word to Saint

Johnstone showed today. They were ruthless, Inverness weren't, and

they will be fighting. --'s a word that Saint Johnstone showed today.

How much did they need that? It's a relief because he doesn't have to

come out and give interview about a poor result and a poor performance

and people asking questions about his record and where the club is

going, so time to build on this. Friday night they go to rugby part,

Kilmarnock. Having played today and got the result they've got to use

that and go on and get another result. And it's the last thing they

needed? Yes, six defeats in a row, and you have to worry for Dundee

going into this. Thank you very much. Join us for the Premiership

highlights tomorrow night. On BBC One Scotland. No 6pm showing on BBC

Two this week due to the Masters coverage.

The football debate continues off the ball on BBC radio Scotland. A

quick recap of