11/03/2012 Sportscene

# There's a love that's everywhere. How do you find the winner when it

is right before your very eyes? Eight becomes seven, but we must

have four suspects to choose from. One must be eliminated and.

Hibernian put themselves in charge! One of them is the victor. One of

them will be at the top of the Would you believe it! Celtic and

Dundee United have met each other in four finals. Celtic have crush

them on every occasion. Motherwell last won at Cup in 1991, when they

defeated Aberdeen on the way. Could this be a coincidence? We must wait

for them to show themselves. Who will be top of the circus? Player?

Manager? Winner? Who will win the Mission accomplished for Hibs

yesterday in the William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-finals. St

Mirren and hearts are still spying a place in the last four. A

detailed investigation coming up at what happened at Tannadice and

Firth Park. With us is the Aberdeen manager, who left the Motherwell

Motherwell breathing down Rangers next in the SPL and on course for a

place in the Champions' League qualifiers. At Fir Park today, Paul

Scottish Cup in the 20 years that have followed suit since 1991. Both

Motherwell and Aberdeen have not reached the finals since 1991.

Motherwell have to go back a dozen years since their last final.

Motherwell were... Just one change winning sequence in the SPL last

Saturday to maintain their own good form. Clarke Robertson comes him,

he slots into left back. -- comes in. A handshake between the

managers. Stewart McCall and Craig Brown know which other very well.

39-year-old Craig Thomson, referee four times in the Champions League

this season. Under way in the afternoon. Perhaps the change in

already this season for him. Simple footballs from Motherwell and

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the corner, although Keith was certain he did not get a touch on

Vernon had plenty of power. Aberdeen a nearly doubled their

Hayden was going backwards but he was pulled down by Clarke and

Robinson and the referee said had the hand on him and pulled him

be heroes from the spot kick. -- have a hero. He denies Michael

Higdon! He cannot add to his 14 from Rory Fallon and Aberdeen have

scored two at Fir Park for the first time in five years! Both

goals supplied by Rory Fallon, and the Aberdeen fans are absolutely

things, this should be entered into it. What a brilliant finish. Rory

Fallon, simply tremendous, and that is the last action of the

first half. One that has been very satisfying for Craig Brown. More

this William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final. No changes on the

park. The one change is the fact that Stewart McCall is now watching

the match from the stand, having had a severe disagreement with

Craig Thomson, the referee, at half-time. Now he sits in the

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Clarke delivered. Mitch was there full backs you do, covering it

straight red card for Keith Lasley, who is sent off at home for the

play and Keith Lasley, the skipper, is ordered off. His side were

struggling. He was trying to win the ball. Keith Lasley's afternoon

ends, and perhaps do Motherwell's chances in the Scottish Cup.

Unfortunately it looks like the stretcher is being called for for

Fraser Fyvie. The Frenchman gets ready to come on from the bench for

the 5th time this season. Fraser 5 ft has been absolutely terrific in

beautifully done -- missed by the. Mickey Rourke gets Motherwell back

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into the match! Jason Brown it the pressure for some the

been flowing through him because That was Tim Clancy! Never scored

in senior football, almost did for the very first time! Jason Brown

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Robertson sense it away. Randolph it wide! Randolph will launch this

one along. Comes down on to Clancy. Jennings, behind blog. -- Law.

Unless you are an Aberdeen fan, this is fantastic. Chris Clarke

wants the full-time whistle to go. Aberdeen have survived the

onslaught! It is a double from Fallon that sees them through. Last

season's finalists were short. It is Aberdeen's Day at Motherwell.

Success for a Craig Brown. Motherwell 1-Aberdeen 2. For 10 or

15 minutes we were feeling sorry for ourselves but certainly in the

second half, going down to 10 men, I thought be if there was

outstanding. The whole team did really well. We worked hard. At

times we could have kept it ETA but it is club football and a bit

frantic at times. Everyone gets decisions wrong. All you have to do

is look at the reaction of the Aberdeen players. You see it happen

week in and week out but it did not happen, we lost the bottle. When

you see it on television you can seek the decisions were

seek the decisions were embarrassing. The Aberdeen manager

is with us. Do you have some sympathy? Yes. We thought from

where I was it was a corner. If there had been a hand ball

situation, for example, if it is not seen, that is directly

resulting in a goal. Here we have that situation where is the chance

to defend a corner kick. There were still opportunities for Motherwell

to defend. I think the lads lost concentration. I think they were

disgusted at the decision. We benefited from that, there is no

doubt. It was a strange one. The assistant was looking straight at

it. It was a fantastic game. It is an odd way that the ball comes off

but we cannot, the referee does not have a direct view but it is as

clear as daylight. The assistant on the far side, he has not got

anybody in the way. We had this discussion yesterday and I was

trying to make excuses for the decision but now and again they

make an absolute error. It did not directly result in at all. The goal

came from the corner kick. The had the opportunity to defend the

corner kick quit they did not do. Yes, but it was the wrong decision,

I think we have got to admit that. Great action from the start but it

was not exactly an area will bombardment. They are a dangerous

peer, aren't they? They are a very dangerous peer. -- pair. There was

a great chance for Vernon later when it was headed across to him by

Fallon. From a goal kick it is an area will opportunity to get a

flick on. We did that against Celtic. You could see the goal that

Gavin Reid did not score. They earn and laid it in the path of brave.

We get benefit from those head flicks. Motherwell had the chance

to get all square with a penalty for stop was this experience

against inexperience? I think he did a lot of cleaning and backing

in throughout the game. He is not trying to jump and head the ball. -

- leaning. It is a great save by Jason Brown. You were telling me

that this was a bit of research. And the tutelage of Jim Leighton.

Absolutely, Jim Leighton keeps the goalkeeper for a while and looks at

penalties. Even by today's and Merron days. He had a good list of

them. -- St Mirren. He knew, he thought anyway where it was going.

This call was a great finish. Something like 90% of these end up

out of the stand. He keeps very calm about it. His body position is

good but it his his movement just before it as well. Good strikers do

that. The understand how to do that. Average strikers get dried up to

the ball. That is a fabulous goal. I thought Aberdeen deserved to be

2-0 up at that point. A much impact do you think Stuart McCall being

sent to the stand had? I do not think it would make a massive

difference. In the context of that goal, if he is left footed, that is

a particularly good goal because he did it with his right goal. Back to

the point and I hate to see any manager in trouble. I was sent off

in Croatia in the international. I always felt aggrieved, as he felt,

that it was a harsh decision. That is an outstanding youth coach

behind him. I do not know if he is allowed to make contact with the

dug-out. Three or five-day lift the Park on crutches today, we will

hear about that. -- Fraser Fyvie. When someone you like and admire

does something like that you want to make an excuse but you cannot.

He turns and walks off because he knows that is a horrible challenge.

Whether he actually meant to heart the player, it looks as if he did

but I will not go so far as saying that. He knows it was absolutely

reckless and the referee got it spot on. A young lad like that is a

great talent and for him to possibly be out for a period of

time is not what you want to see. His ankle is badly swollen. I do

not agree with Pat, I do not think he meant to injure him at all. He

would not do that. It was a bit naughty but he was late, that is

all. He did not go to injure the other player, I am sure of that. I

am certain he was late. It looked a bad challenge. I am quite sure he

was trying to get the ball. He is quicker on his feet and I think

Wasley was unfortunate to be sent off. -- Lasley. I know him and he

is not that kind of chap generally. What about the goal that brought

Motherwell back into it? It could have been cut out. It is an

excellent and impressive one but the past two Humphrey was not

acceptable. That was a good ball across the face of the goal. There

were at least three possibilities. Rory was not expecting the

goalkeeper to let it pass 10. It was as soft goal from our point of

view. I heard you saying you thought Aberdeen were lucky to be

in the semi-finals, do you still hold with that? I think we are

fortunate, yes. But if you look at the fact we had six first-team

players unavailable, two of bend the best players in Scotland, we

must be lucky. A full-strength team would have coped better but I give

great credit, I am really proud of the team that the lead. -- the team

that played. The worst thing that happened to us was going to 10 men.

It gave us a persecution complex. I would have been happy if it had

stayed at 11 against 11. I thought we were a bit fortunate at the time

but we might just have deserved it. Well done. Before we show you the

other quarter-final there is another chance to see the key

cleaners. Thomson, it is a hand ball. It is not being given. It

looks like handball, it has to be said. They cannot believe it. It is

1-0. You cannot deny they deserve that. An outstanding 3 Dec. St

Merryn draw first blood at Tynecastle. -- St Mirren. A real

good corner kick. The second goal. The flag went up for offside but it

was not given. They have played onside. And that one is offside! It

will not count. He did so well to get this on target. Rudi Skacel, he

is waiting in the middle. The comeback is complete! What a

surprise. It is the Rudi Skacel! Is this a chance for us and Merron?

Nigel Hasselbaink. Ideal opportunity. They'd say they! Oh,

but it has gone then! Would you believe it? Nigel Hasselbaink has

levelled things up for absent Merron. They are of the canvas and

still in the Scottish Cup. -- St Mirren. Off the canvas. Hibernian

have the early break through. This is going to be a penalty kick. The

referee gives a yellow card. Leigh Griffiths, a fine penalty.

Hibernian but themselves right in charge of this Scottish Cup tie.

O'Donovan again getting his head to it. There is another chance. How

did that stay out of the net? Eventually the keeper in is the

danger. That look for all of the world like it was going to end up

in the back of the net. Doherty. He is sliding India saw the ball come

off his arm. At Tannadice Dundee United were hoping to complete an

Old Firm double. Today they were at home to treble chasing Celtic.

Their last Scottish Cup meeting was the 2005 final. Neil Lennon was on

the winning team. Today's against the 2010 winners and two of

the inform teams of Scotland right now. Celtic have designs on a

domestic treble but Dundee United are a substantial obstacle to

overcome. United are unbeaten in seven and that is in part down to

consistency. Peter Houston sticks with the same starting 11 as the

team that beat Caley Thistle last weekend. Celtic have been virtually

invincible of late. 25 domestic games without defeat. They make

thorn in United's flesh. Seven goals in seven appearances against

them. Including the last time they met at Tannadice. Jonny Russell has

already got two goals in Scottish Cup ties this season. He would like

to add to that tally this afternoon. This is shaping up to be a

scintillating Cup tie. Dundee United have been in such fine form

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there. That was the first real they Phelps got Roberts and was

fouled before Nielsen fouled Samaras but the referee does not

from Fraser Forster! Victor Wanyama smashes it clear, but an

unbelievable save by Fraser Forster to deny Jonny Russell! Russell must

have thought he was going to score to his name in the Scottish Cup

this season. -- goals. Penalised Neilson... He has already been

booked, it is a straight red card for Robbie Neilson! Samaras took a

this. The forearm right into the face from Samaras. The referee

shows the straight red card to Robbie Neilson. That could well

undo a lot of the good work that United have put into this match so

far. He has given his side a real uphill task now. It is a long walk

to the tunnel from Robbie Neilson as they prepare for substitution.

Mackay-Steven is the man to make way. That is a real loss for Dundee

United. It is a double blow because losing the thread of Mackay-Steven

has done them no good at all. -- Forrest, good pace from him. The

first run he had managed to get few words to say to his players at

half-time, and I don't think they will be kind ones. The referee

brings the first half to a close. John Daly had a good only chance.

Jonny Russell had a glorious one brilliantly saved by Fraser four-

star. The referee then sent Robbie Neilson off for a forearm smash on

pleased with their side's performance in that first half. But

they will wonder what might have been had Robbie Neilson not been

goes down. Celtic have the free were looking good for a semi-final

place, the way they started the are delivery yes! It is the first

time in their side has really threatened in the match -- art

Dillon, and Joe Ledley got away manager. That is pure relief, I

think, coming out of Neil Lennon. The Celtic fans are really

beginning to enjoy themselves at Russell, he was under pressure from

Celtic's league, and surely now the cup-tie is beyond Dundee United!

Another excellent free-kick from Charlie Mulgrew. No one can stop

Samaras at the back post. United for two behind. Samaras's second

frontman, Russell. It has not been his day for a goal. United still

shoving they are still a threat. -- from point-blank range somehow.

league gybing Anthony Stokes. -- the Celtic fans are light-hearted

rounds it off! He missed an absolute sitter only a few minutes

ago but he didn't miss that time. He timed his run to perfection.

Four goals in the Scottish Cup this season for Anthony Stokes. Celtic

Sean Dillon clipped the angles of Georgios Samaras and this is the

danger, Samaras's persistence. He tumbled under the challenge. Sean

is an emphatic victory for the SPL's runaway leaders. Scott Brown

puts the cap on a good Celtic performance in this second half. It

has been professional and methodical. Scott Brown, who lifted

the Scottish Cup last season as Celtic captain, will hope to do

Ultimately, a resounding victory for Neil Lennon's Celtic. Dundee

United can be very proud of their performance. Certainly in the first

half. Joe Ledley got the breakthrough for celtic just after

half-time. Samaras added to it. He also won the penalty for Celtic's

fourth. Anthony Stokes scored in between times and Scott Brown

rounded it all off from the spot. We started magnificently well. It

is hard enough to beat the champions of the SPL with 11

I think it was a dangerous tackle but brief took full advantage.

you believe you have lost it 4-0? No, it is a bit hard to take to be

honest. The sending of has put a dampener on it a wee bit for us but

we worked hard. It is a bit hard on us. Celtic, 26 domestic matches

unbeaten. Dundee United's chances seemed to evaporate with the

I thought they were the better side up until that. Celtic had a couple

of games where they have not been their best but they still managed

to get the result. This is a very interesting one. Not a lot made of

that attempt. I do not think he was going for the ball. He takes the

player out. All the way from the start I thought this is a team that

are fearless. They have a great opportunity to do something. As

soon as they lose the player, this is a great opportunity, the form

that Russell has been on, he has not been losing many of them. At

that point you were thinking, what a great chance Dundee United have

got today because Celtic are not at their best but Celtic have been

ruthless when given the chance. would you be shaking Nielsen warmly

by the throat? By think I would be having a word with him but I agree

with Pat Nevin, Dundee United in the first have were absolutely

excellent. That save was wonderful. A You are just not going to get

away with this, are you? You are not I am afraid. The referee was

right, he had no hesitation. It is a shame because just for that one

second Dundee United's chance of winning the Cup, they have had

added run so far, but a moment of complete and utter madness. I do

not think anyone would argue that it should have been a sending off.

Was it the right decision? They are asking someone who will be slightly

biased here, it is always the winger who gets taken off in those

situations. You have to put on a defender. I think honestly that was

the obvious thing to do. I have no doubt that the forward players were

doing well but I think if you were in his shoes you would replace like

for like under those circumstances. His team were doing very well, they

looked very competent. Joe Ledley has a habit of getting important

has a habit of getting important goals. This is the big thing.

Obviously Nielsen was going off but you have to move Delon out to this

area here. We know that stalks can twist and turn very well. Celtic do

well putting pressure on but in the end because Nielsen is not beer. As

the winner what you have got to do is turn defenders so that he has no

idea what position he is then. If you are the defender you do not

want to be facing a wave. He has done exactly the wrong thing.

can talk because he did that repeatedly. He was turning full-

backs inside out. I saw it at first backs inside out. I saw it at first

hand. That was Robbie Nielsen again. He left the team out of order. It

is a real blow for them. Without wing mirrors you are struggling!

Georgios Samaras using his head which she does not do often enough,

what do you think of that, Craig? think it was difficult for him. He

seemed to start to come towards the ball and then go back. It is too

easy to sit here and look at that on television. The shape of that

on television. The shape of that ball coming in was terrific. The

delivery from these crosses are exceptional. We could hear that to

shreds. One defender goes, the other one stays. For the quality

players that Celtic have got, that is easy. At Pittodrie it is exactly

the same. Just one side and no more, looking online -- along the line

brilliantly. There is no one better at it than he is. Georgios Samaras

was running end to the penalty for a number four. He did cause all

sorts of problems. Obviously the referee has no concerns or worries

about that. It is just his strength. He is probably on the line when he

went down. I have to say, for me, Celtic looked a better team when he

is in it. He is maturing a lot more and after a poor start to his

Celtic area for a variety of reasons, I think he is a big, big

man to have in Celtic and he seems man to have in Celtic and he seems

to help everybody else around him. Let's look at the draw for the

semi-finals. I guess your main thing, take, would be to avoid

Celtic? Obviously. We are not afraid of Celtic as we proved last

week but they are the best team in the country at the moment. To avoid

them is fortunate for us. We will have to play better than we played

too deep to get around them. Celtic another step closer to the treble,

the odds are shortening all the time. They are, they are massive

favourites to win the league but they are also favourites to win the

Scottish Cup the way they are playing just now. They are such a

for Inverness. Caledonian Thistle looking for a break through. He is

not far away, belay Mackay. He did have support but decided to go it

alone. Sutherland. Another good run by Mackay ahead of him. That shot

saved by a Cammy Bell. Great stuff from the Kilmarnock keeper.

Kilmarnock are trying to make inroads. It has been Inverness's

game at the moment. Still 0-0 though. Somehow it Roman Golobart

turned that past the keeper. He would not have managed to do that

again with one-hundredth times of trying. Sutherland. That has

somehow made its way through to Richie Foran. It is that man they

will once again. He has made the difference. -- Cammy Bell. That is

going to come back at Kilmarnock. Still plenty of options in blue and

red in the middle. Richie Foran. Cammy Bell once again. He scored at

both ends! That is a redemption. Roman Golobart, the man on loan

from Wigan. At least one point is from Wigan. At least one point is

what they deserve from this one. Roman Golobart got both of them.

Kilmarnock moved above Aberdeen in Kilmarnock moved above Aberdeen in

the table. Inverness are one point better off. Talking about a

Kilmarnock. Next Sunday is the League Cup final at Hampden. The

Scottish Communities League Cup final at Hampden. We will have John

Hartson, Craig Levein and Pat Nevin. Hartson, Craig Levein and Pat Nevin.

We are into another week, tomorrow, of Rangers stories. One would

imagine they have managed to stave off the redundancies at the end of

last week but presumably further revelations to come? For the

Rangers fans it would be nice to just beat again for a while. There

were days and days when we thought it could not get any worse and then

discovered that yes, it can. At the end of East season it will calm

down and they can work hard behind the scenes. There was a big story

for me that the administrators got the would get HMRC to agree to a

big tax deal. If they get that deal I think the Rangers fans could

start to believe that they might get out of this. How fearful are

you, take, for Scottish football as a whole because of what is

happening to Rangers? How much does it impact on anyone else? Rangers

do bring a big support to each club that the visit and television

depends on the Celtic and Rangers matches. For that reason alone I

think Rangers are very important for the whole game in Scotland.

one constant in among all these stories, all the road to recovery

seemed to involve Craig Whyte being edged out of the picture? No one

seems to be on his side. When he brought the administrators then I

thought he had made things good for himself. He is the one who seems to

be pushed to the side. We will wait to see but nothing will surprise me

now. There will be further stories and even if and when this is

finally sorted out, there are really big questions to be asked

which will have to be answered. I do not think Rangers fans will care

about that, they just want their club to survive and make sure they

go forward with someone or a group of people in charge that they can

finally trust. How much does it change the complexion for Aberdeen

down in the bottom half of the lead to have the prospect of a cup final

appearance at the end of it? Rangers have had an impact in that.

The State of flux the RN at the moment has made it difficult. --

they are in. Last week they lost 2 Hearts making it difficult for us

to get into the top six. It has affected our chances because

Rangers have lost three of their last four games at home. When they

lose league fixtures against our rival teams, we were unlucky, we

played Rangers just before all this administration staff and we drew.

You have only got Hibernian in the semi-finals and it is the Scottish