12/08/2012 Sportscene

The second SPL weekend of the season handed Hibs the chance to

make amends for Derby defeat in the Scottish Cup Final three months ago.

Winners Hearts, whose manager John McGlynn joins Billy Dodds and

myself in the studio, were looking to extend an 11-match unbeaten run

against their biggest rivals and The Hibernian manager continues to

make changes to his team. Hearts had Danny Grainger available after

had Danny Grainger available after suspension but this was the team

that got off to a winning start was alive to the danger. He just

flipped it towards the back post. Picked up by temple can. He

scampers for word. Crowded out by defenders. He kicked the ball out

but his opponent was right in front of that. This year is certainly a

foul here on Templeton but there is going to be no yellow-card. Look at

his reaction. Hearts can consider themselves fortunate still to have

weak back pass. That was an error from one of the most experienced

players on the park. The visitors are ahead. Calamitous defending

their. Hearts looking to rub salt Leigh Griffiths. Expect the

unexpected when this man is around. Everyone expected that to go across

goal and it almost found the back Griffiths is onside with the

equaliser. It is the equaliser. A terrific move from Hibernian. Such

a cool finish. Through the legs of the goalkeeper and then off the

post. Hibernian deservedly level to keep his eyes open, I think.

Temple and swings it end. MacGowan target. No Pat Fenlon in D

Hibernian technical area following hand in this match. Can they edge

in front? There is Leigh Griffiths with a lovely touch. He cannot

match the turn with a finish. Terrific play but the really poor

in the end. Clancy again with another of his long throw-ins. A

touch of the head and this time the keeper has to throw himself to

catch it. Campbell took MacDonald. Campbell left all alone at the back

post. The substitute could have made a real name for himself there.

Hearts look to snatch a winner at the death. The keeper misses Beth

again but MacGowan could not find You are never going to complain

about a point at Easter Road but do you think today that the players

believe the pre-match publicity that they would find it easy?

might have been our downfall today. Last week against St Johnstone we

played very well. We had a lot of confidence and optimism setting out

today. We never really lived up to the hype. Did Hibernian replace

some of their pride after the hand and Horror Show? A think they did.

I think the formation suited them. I think now 4-4-2 is a basic

formation that allows the players to know the position and it showed

today. One of the most experienced players on the pitch made one of

the most basic mistakes here. much so. It was a gamble. It was

difficult for Alan Maybury but fair play to Andrew Driver who followed

it in and played very well. He read the game well and scored but there

was a good recovery. The goalkeeper should have had some help from his

outfield players. There was a big reception from the Hibernian fans

when this man came off. He is dangerous, isn't he? On his day he

is a very dangerous player. He is a threat. You know him well? I'd do.

I think it is all about Leigh Griffiths because his touch needed

to be perfect and he did not have a lot of time. It looks simple but it

was a hard game and are difficult shot to take. Was he lucky to stay

on the pitch for this reaction? may well have been. In this

situation here he certainly took a bit of training. He has certainly

been provoked by the amount of challenges and tackles. Perhaps if

the referee had blown for a free kick it would not have led to that

situation. Clancy is a little bit naughty as well coming in the air.

You cannot do what he did. He had a lash out and be referee handled it

well. It might have been the experience that sort him grabbing

his head that let him off. I do not think there was too much doubt

about that one. Afterwards the player is always going to be

walking a tightrope. This was the build up to the equaliser. Was that

a foul? Should he have been booked? He is going to run the risk when he

is putting himself about a bit. has got a reputation. I know I am

looking at that and once you have been booked, it was cynical, I

think Barr has certainly touched the ball and had to calm himself

because he was lucky to stay on the pitch. You had a home win and an

away draw in the Derby. The number of players you have lost, high

profile players like Skacel, Elliott, Craig Beattie, it is a

tough job? Yes, but I knew that when I took the job. I was very up

for that. I was caretaker manager and a youth team coach. I have

worked there for many years and know the sort of talent they have.

They have been playing well. There is a lot of experience in the team.

I am very much up for the challenge. Can you get more players in? Will

you? Are there any murmurings from abroad? Do you have any

alternatives for a central striker? We are light in the striking

department and we could do with bringing one or two end. Perhaps

getting a good score in Liverpool could help our chances. Until

September comes we will see what we have got. So you are going to the

chair man? You mentioned Liverpool, is that an exciting or a

frightening prospect to be squaring up to them in the Europa League?

bit of both. I had someone watching them today who said I have nothing

to worry about, it was a bit Tonge in cheek, to be fair! European

nights are fantastic. They have got such a pedigree in European

football. We will remember the last time they played a Scottish side,

Celtic on the way to civil, Celtic won. It is a tall order for any

Scottish team. In it is a different class. It is going to be difficult.

I would have preferred the best scenario Four Hearts to get through

a couple of rounds and then make Liverpool. It will be a tall order

Inverness were disappointed to miss out on all three points on the

opening weekend in Paisley when they conceded a stoppage time

equaliser. Could they get there at the second attempt? Kilmarnock were

the second attempt? Kilmarnock were in the Highland capital. Jane Lewis

in the Highland capital. Jane Lewis has the action.

Just over 3,000 fans turning out to watch this. The home fans almost

gave -- almost had something to cheer about. There was a shoulder

and vault in the opening goal. Draper knock it down with Andrew

McKay a rushed end. The Kilmarnock captain had to clear this danger.

Manuel Pascali did well. Kilmarnock had an opportunity to get back in

the match with half an hour gone. The referee pointed to the spot.

Danny Racchi kept his shot low. Ryan S and kept it out. The

Inverness keeper held on to the follow-up shot from James Dayton.

Another injury blow for Kilmarnock when there was an knee injury.

Better news after 10 minutes. Manuel Pascali equalised just after

half times. The header was untouched on the goal line. The

second half saw a few chances but some drama. As Tudur Jones raced

through, he was stopped in his tracks. The Inverness player was

not happy with the challenge and reacted. Straight red car -- red

card for the head butt. The manager said he could not complain about

the decision and would have words with him. Terry Butcher would have

been happy if his side had gone on to win with ten men and the newly

dead. This ball in was met by Nick Ross. Bell saved the day again.

Michael Nelson was unmarked, but went over. These sides were at it

went over. These sides were at it again as they shared the points.

How do you compare Inverness last season with this season? Andrew

Shinnie is back in and he was injured last season. He is an

excellent player. Terry Butcher has to turn around the squad every year

because of injuries. He has done a great job. Always a difficult game

because Terry Butcher's team are always fired up. Probably better at

Tynecastle than at Inverness I would suggest. We are looking to

win. Good performances by the goalkeepers yesterday. They work on

the training ground to make saves like this. Be is is what they do.

like this. Be is is what they do. They will have a second ball for

the reaction. Excellent reaction for the second one. This is a Cammy

Bell. He has been a good goalkeeper for a few seasons. He is excellent.

The goalkeeper has kept the scoreline down. In England, they

would look for someone taller. goalkeepers are capable of stopping

shops. One player you want face next weekend is Paul Waine Tudur

Jones who saw red. I don't imagine Inverness -- is Tudur Jones who saw

red. I don't imagine Inverness will appeal against this. He just lost

it. That I have been there myself. It is quite an knotty tackle. That

anger management course is probably needed there.

SPL new arrivals Ross County went to Pittodrie yesterday on the brink

of an amazing record. Avoiding defeat against new-look Aberdeen

would take them to a full year of league football unbeaten. 14,000

were there. Commentary from Liam lost and Celtic Park last weekend.

Mark Reynolds was on the bench. One change for Ross County. Sam Morrow

was support for the striker. A promising start to life in the

SPL from Ross County last week. Good work by the Dons. Good flick

from Vernon who was unlucky. This is the first real attack. There was

a shout for a penalty. Boyd was up ended here by Andersen. This one is

for Scott Morrow. This is a great chance for Ross County. He has to

try to get these shots on target. Hughes has options in the middle.

This is easy for Michael Fraser. Support is arriving to the right,

but he goes for goal. Michael Fraser will be delighted if they

come from that distance all day. Derek Adams is closing in on a

calendar year undefeated in a league matches. That is a fine

effort from Richard Brittain. If that had been on target, that would

have been a real test for Langfield. He is trying to get it on to his

left foot. He wanted to hit it on the left for it. -- oh left foot.

Aberdeen have plenty of players waiting for it. Hughes has been

terrific today. Veron and was there. Chance of the game so far. It falls

for Gavin Rae. Craig Brown must be getting worried as his team have

had so much dominance in the final third. They have not been able to

test Michael Fraser fully. Osborne again it took he's. -- Osborne took

Johnny Hayes. He must have thought he was scoring. The rebound was

wide by Gavin Rae. Aberdeen looking for three points. Johnny Hayes.

That is good stuff from him. He had options in the middle. This is

Grant Munro. Experienced player in the SPL. This is Richard Brittain.

Langfield saves and is screwed over by Scott. Good play by Ross County.

-- hit over the bar by Scott. Good play by Ross County. Vernon has to

score. It is not Aberdeen's day. It was not their day at Celtic Park

last week either. Stephen Hughes is not it renowned goalscorer. Fraser

was rooted. County have held firm so far. Aberdeen with lots of

attacking options on the park. The Seine is in towards Vernon, but it

no power in the header. The word go wasteful comes to mind at for

wasteful comes to mind at for Aberdeen today.

I guess you're probably not too surprised that they have extended

that unbeaten records -- unbeaten record for a whole calendar year.

It is tremendous. They will be delighted with that start. It is

striking the balance for Ross County. Will they have enough

attacking threat? I think it is about team spirit. There are no

star individuals, but you have the players up front and Richard

Brittain in midfield with two good defenders at the back. It is

eclectic, but they have not yet scored. Aberdeen are creating

plenty, but they would have wanted to get a couple of these away.

Craig has a strong squad in Aberdeen now. Last week, they were

unfortunate not to get a point at Celtic Park. The signs are good. I

would have loved to have seen them win the game yesterday. I think we

need a strong Aberdeen and Hibs. They have do when games like this

to get the big crowds coming back. We could lose a couple of 1,000

spectators. Vernon will score goals. After a midweek grilling in Greece,

and ahead of their next European challenge against Spanish side

Levante, Motherwell were at home to St Johnstone yesterday, both in

search of a first win of the season. from Motherwell following in their

exertions in Athens in midweek. No signs of tiredness there. That

might just have found the bottom corner. Craig. Making life awkward

for the Motherwell defence and four Randolph. Lot looking for options.

-- Law. Liam Craig can strike from distance and he does on that

occasion. The goalkeeper sees it wide. Taking no chances. Al

Hutchinson is caught by a fine. That will be a booking for the

striker in his first SPL start. That was slack from Motherwell.

Miller takes over on the edge of the box. Not too far away. One yard

wide. Not a great header from Hammell. Craig has space to shoot

and also for the rebound. Miller goes down and Hamel has been at

penalised. Penalty kick. This was terrific play from Liam Craig.

Miller burst into the area. Difficult to see how much contact,

but Hamel is off. Dave Nikkei will have the chance from the penalty

spot to put the visitors ahead -- Dave Mackay. What a save from

Randolph. It was not the most powerful penalty. Quite poor. Craig

swimming in the corner. There is Davidson! St Johnstone are in front.

They did not miss their second chance. No cover at the front post.

Three Motherwell defenders trying one. St Johnstone really piling on

one. St Johnstone really piling on the pressure now. That is a nice

glance down from Pegden. -- Higdon. There is the equaliser for

Motherwell. A man down and a goal down and they have pulled it level.

Hutchison spotted that one and is taking down by Vine again. Find is

going to go off here. That is his second yellow card of the afternoon.

-- Vine. It is ten men for each team. No doubt about it, that was

the correct decision. We carry gets something on him. -- McKay. What a

save! Hebden must have believed save! Hebden must have believed

that was goal-bound. -- Higdon. You were there yesterday for Radio

Scotland, Billy, do you think the heat of Athens affected them?

were not at their best but funnily enough they got the breakthrough

later in the game. It was really entertaining that game, a lot of

talking points and really good football. Overall I enjoyed the

match. A penalty and a sending off. The camera does not catch it

completely but it was not a huge protest, was it? I do not think so.

It was some sort of fumble. It seemed like the referee was given

no choice if it was going to be a penalty but it does look harsh.

two pretty similar charges on Hutchison led to Vine being sent

off? Once you have been booked for the first one it was crazy to fly

into it again. He held the ball up well and could have had a couple of

goals as well, he was a tidy signing. He has a great left foot

but the keeper did well. Another narrow pass and a great opportunity

there. A not a great struck penalty but the funny thing was, I think St

Johnstone in this part of the game should have killed it off. Credit

to Motherwell. They rallied and got the equaliser and could even have

nicked it at the end. Bearing in mind what the team had been through

during the week, they had a man set off and were probably knackered.

They showed great character and spirit considering be travelling

that they have had. It was a great header. This was Sean Hutcheon son.

Miller is celebrating their but as much as he gets the penalty, the

block and the clench of the firsts, sometimes the defending wins you

the match. A great goal and saving tackle. Are you envious at how they

have added to their striking players in the squad? They have

signed Craig Beattie and they have Rowan buying -- Vine. Indeed. They

have got a strong squad, they have made some really good signings.

Top-flight football returned to Dens Park for the first time in

it was snatched out of the a. Pressure from Parker. -- out of the

air. Kenny McLean is going for the dead and he has the opening goal!

He took advantage of the ball coming his way and that is

perfectly placed. The goalkeeper beaten at the post. The ball is

seen away. Sampson was not too happy with his defence but he was

rooted as that ball was going to go past them. Steven Thompson came

back. That was very clumsy. Ian Davidson goes down. Steven Thompson

the back of his opponent. The keeper says free kick. I think the

attempt was certainly there to play the ball but from another angle

that could have been a second yellow card. McGregor might be in

trouble here. Great play. Samson with a save! Searching for an

equaliser. Very direct but Sampson lines for the centre half. Conroy

plays it through. Kenny McLean has got a touch. The man went down. Any

Maclean look like he had played the ball. That was enough. No penalty.

He stumbled, but the ball was played. White to M8. -- Wide to

Imrie. And Sam Parkin scores! Just a couple of minutes ago Dundee had

a shout for a penalty and now they are down. A chance for Stuart. They

are creating chances. That will be giving be done be boss

encouragement. But they have got to take those chances. Davidson plays

through and here is a chance for a consolation goal. On D-Day they are

denied even that in the final Dundee had plenty chances. They

have got another chance next week at Tannadice. There were a couple

of games last year where they had an even bigger crowd. They have got

huge support. It is not their support that is going to let them

down. They might stay up. I do not know if it is too early to vote for

goal of the season but this one could be up for it? I think so. It

could not have been better. There are a couple of people asking if

Big Rab could have done better. He has cut it. You know the line is 42,

I thought you might make that mental leap and realise it was from

41. Our team of technicians worked it out because of the size of the

cut grass strips. Was it you or the technicians? Nothing to do with me!

I think it is all about Kenny McLean. Already a contender for

goal of the season. The intent to strike it with that much pace and

put car on the ball. It was a fantastic goal. Last season St

Mirren played a lot of great football so I guess for them four

goals in the first two games of the season is pretty good going? That's

right. They have good players up front. They will be delighted at

the start they have made. That man went to Queen of the South last

season from St Johnstone. I saw him last week and he looked sharp. You

are right, great football. This season they are scoring goals.

that is then top of the week! Just on goal business -- goal-difference

as you will point out! Delighted with that. Sitting at the top of

the table but it is early days. certainly is. Then be reckoned

there were some decisions which did not go their way but they did have

a player who could have been sent off. We have already spoken about

it in the programme that once you have been booked, you do not take

chances. I think he was not intending to do that. He was a bit

unlucky. He is not really a dirty player. He is more clumsy. He will

tell you that himself. We looked at this penalty as well. Is it a

penalty? He has a chance of getting the ball. He has clearly played the

ball. I think of the player still has a chance of getting it before

the goalkeeper... I do not know what you think that it could have

been given. There is confusion because yes, Kenny McLean does get

the ball but then he goes into the back of Mark Stewart so is it

getting the ball that is crucial or taking the player out that is

crucial? There are two phase is to it as you say. Let's just sit on