13/09/2014 Sportscene

Yes, good afternoon once again and welcome to the sports scene

referendum special. Business is booming. We are here to talk

football, football, and nothing but football for the next 40 minutes or

so. A six-game Saturday in the Premiership with a full card

elsewhere to boot, so let's look at the latest scores. Aberdeen against

Celtic was the lunch time match. So those, indeed, are the scores on the

doors. Let's push them open to get the stories behind them, starting at

Tannadice, it sounds like a rip snort of a match. What a game it has

been, two goals and a red card apiece so far. Ciftci scoring from

close range early on. But he was then booked, following a collision.

Antoine create scored the equaliser. But there was a provocative

celebration in front of the Dundee United dugout, second yellow card in

ten minutes and the inevitable red. It looked good for Accies when

Ciftci was guilty of guilt stupidity, getting his marching

orders for punching the ball in the net. Fojut went close to scoring a

second goal. At the moment Hamilton are heading to the top of the top

division on goal difference. Who would have thought that before a

ball was kicked this season? I was not aware rank stupidity was a

bookable offence. Seems like a couple of needless red card, if

there are such a thing. Celebrating in front of the opposition dugout,

which offends them, everybody charges out, it causes a commotion.

The two were involved in an incident with each other to get booked.

Ciftci, you have an extra man, and you punch the ball into the back of

the net and level it up. But it is about the two form teams. Both

managers should be relatively happy with a point. Jackie McNamara, as

the home team, they would have expected of one. Four goals at

Firhill for John Barnes to describe. Plenty of goals here at Firhill, the

scoreline is 3-1. Inverness Caledonian Thistle starting off

today as league leaders on 13 points. With the way things have

been going for them, they were unbeaten, they had not conceded a

goal, but they did this afternoon. They went ten hours seven minutes

without conceding. They had taken the lead through Alan Doran in the

13th minute with a low, driven shot from 16 yards. But Wallace with an

excellent strike as well in the 20th minute bringing it back to 1-1.

Abdul Osman scored his first goal for Partick Thistle from a corner

kick floated in by Calum Higginbottom from the right-hand

side. Osman jumped above everybody at the back post to head them in

front. Cali Thistle had a couple of chances before the interval to level

things up. Doran set up Billy McKay, but he delayed shooting. McKay had a

toe poked effort just over the bar, and an overhead kick he tried, but

it had no power in it to be the opposition goalkeeper. Early in the

second half, Caledonian Thistle created one or two chances, McKay

with a ball in, Watkins fired over. But in the 72nd minute, Partick

Thistle up there on the right-hand side, lovely flowing move, and

lawless involved, laid the ball back to Higginbottom from the 20 yard

rage, a right foot curling effort -- range. The scoreline remains three -

one with about 12 minutes left to play. You know me well enough to

know I am not the brightest, I was ogling pictures there of John

Hughes, Ryan Christie and another player, wherein Abraham Lincoln type

hats, they were celebrating a hat-trick of wins, player, manager,

Young Player of the Year awards. And straight after you going and suffer

what looks like it will be a defeat. Yes. Something had to give

eventually with Inverness. They have been on such a role of winning

matches and not conceding. When they score, Thistle, they tend to score

goals in clusters, three goals, four goals against Ross County. This is a

terrific performance, and what a win if they can close it out. Speaking

of Ross County, at home to Motherwell today, Andrew Thompson is

our reporter at Victoria Park. Motherwell are winning 2-0 after two

moments of brilliance. Both teams have been struggling of late, and it

is two sides facing off against each other here. I can just tell you Ross

County just got one back here, so that is 2-1. But Ross County just

scoring there. I cannot tell you who scored just at the moment I am

afraid, I missed the actual goal itself. But Ross County started the

game very, very strongly. They dominated much of the first half.

But Motherwell came back into it just before half-time. And they

dominated very much towards half-time. Just after the restart it

was to moments of brilliance really that gave Motherwell the lead.

Immediately after half-time, Vigurs broke the deadlock, a free kick into

the top corner leaving the county keeper with no chance. After that

John Sutton scored another amazing goal, chesting the ball down. Struck

a brilliant left footed volley right into the corner of the Ross County

goal. As I was saying, they have pulled one back in the last few

seconds from the voice, cracking one back in there. Very inconsiderate of

Ross County to score right in the middle of his match report.

Motherwell need a win after four defeats on the spin. Yes, against a

Ross County team who have lost all five, so neither team high on

confidence. Desperate to get somebody in goal-scoring form. Only

one goal on the opening day of the season. If they can hold on it would

be great for them. Under new management, Ross County, having got

the goal, the crowd will get behind them, little bit of time until the

final whistle, so it will be in nervous finish. Now to Perth,

McDiarmid Park, St Johnstone at home to Dundee. Another inventive set

piece as Paul Hartley's side have gone ahead. The corner was sent in,

creating real confusion for the Saints defence, and confusion as to

who got the final touch. Thomas corner certainly claimed, and

apparently it is his goal. It is a lead they deserve and they should be

out of sight here. Jim McAllister saw his effort deflected wide, and

Alan Manus pulled off excellent saves to deny Gary Harkins and Paul

McGowan. Harkins has been exceptional, pulling the strings.

Nothing from Saints going forward, and two players picking up injuries

in the past few days, so a real struggle for the home side here.

Tom, should Dundee hang on for a win or even a draw, they will be the

only side in the top division, incredible start. Great tribute to

Paul Hartley. His team have just taken seamlessly to the top league.

His management is very, very impressive. They are an attractive

side, Dundee. To go to Perth to win, if they do win, that is a big scalp.

He is a very confident guy, and creating something quite formidable.

They have not lost a competitive game this season, that is impressive

stuff. Richard, can you provide us with something impressive? Not sure

about that. It looked as though the deadlock would not be broken for an

hour, but there has been a rush of goals. Robinho had scored to come on

at five minutes after coming on as substitute. The shot flew across the

keeper and into the far side of the goal. St Mirren had enjoyed more of

the ball in the second half, but they kept spinning the chances they

had. In their hour of need, they were helped by Marc Connelly, he was

robbed of the ball just inside his own penalty area by Jim Goodman, he

played it forward to Maclean, who squared it across the goal, and Adam

Drury scored. Connelly redeemed himself, if you moments ago -- a few

moments ago he scored with a powerful header. St Mirren have

broken their duck but they are still chasing the game. Story of St

Mirren's season so far, plenty of the ball, but they cannot score.

Although they managed to get one today. But they need a win. They

need something on the board. Scoring a goal means nothing, they need a

point, something to build on, something to give them confidence.

Last season they did exactly the same thing, one point from the first

six games, and it looks like they will do worse this season. They have

turned it round before, but you try to convince the fans that will

happen season after season. It has been a poor start and if they lose

again, they will be rock bottom. They better hope Ross County keep

losing, it means there are two teams in that area. You are already

talking about a year long struggle against relegation. But as long as

you are not cut adrift, there is a chance you can get yourself away.

One that has already reached its conclusion, defending champions

Celtic at home to Aberdeen, and here is our reporter 's version of

events. Celtic got back to winning ways when they went from cruise

control to reverse in a second-half that made them in this narrow win.

Denny McGuinness will be disappointed by the goal is Aberdeen

conceded at the start of each half. After a brighter opening they fell

behind from the first Celtic on the game. Ambrose followed at goal and

it hammered in. That started the Celtic end and they dominated the

rest of the half with their new signings starting alongside

returning skipper Brown. It could have been three or four. The Dons

did not help their own cause, conceding another 24 seconds into

the half. It owed much to a big deflection off Logan as Commons

finally got on the scoresheet. Somehow Aberdeen snagged a lifeline,

good Willy heading home for his first goal for the club after good

work by Logan and confidant on the hour mark. They had a penalty appeal

waved away when the ball struck Commons's arm. That was waved away,

as were the Dons hopes of a point. First win in five to Celtic. STUDIO:

It a fist clenching there, it meant a lot to him. His team played well

for about an hour, and they were completely dominant, looking good

and slick. Scott Brown made a big difference in his comeback to the

team, first match of the season. Then it all flow of the flat.

Aberdeen became more adventurous -- then it all fell a bit flat. They

looked shaky. Ambrose was playing in the back for today. Aberdeen 12

headers in the six yard box. It is an important win for Deila. Did he

need to win? They are in the Europa League, the fans are not overly

infused, new players have come in, they have got to show they are

capable of taking Celtic to the next level. So it was really important.

Aberdeen were the challengers last year along with Motherwell. Celtic

have a fantastic record in the league against Aberdeen, the

expectation was they would take three points. You still see they are

a little fragile. Little bit of pressure and a couple of decent

saves but the big three points for Celtic. Aberdeen with just six

points from the first five games, but no need to panic or is there? No

need to panic, it is too early for that. I am disappointed with

Aberdeen, I think they are better than what they are showing. I think

they have more firepower. I understand why they do not score

more goals but they have attacking players. They have guys who you

thought would score goals, but they don't score. And it was a problem

for them last season, they did not score enough goals. That problem is

resurfacing again. There was one match last night in the

championship, Raith Rovers at home to Rangers, and it was a wee bit of

a one-sided affair with Rangers winning 4-0. Was it their best

performance of the championship season so far? For me the best

performance for quite a while. They took control of the game. Brilliant

header from Nicky Clarke. They never let it go. They helped themselves to

another goal. Bit of luck here with the deflection and over the

goalkeeper. But Raith Rovers at 2-0, you want to get a half-time, they

give the ball straight away from the centre kick, and Rangers with real

quality, 3-0, and there was no way back for the home side. In the

second-half Rangers added an extra one, on the cake. Big result for

them and Ali McCoist. Raith Rovers have had three good wins, but they

have also lost 4-0 at home to hearts and Rangers, and 4-0 away to Dundee

in the cup. Raith Rovers certainly not consistent. Four goals this

week, four goals in the last match for Rangers, they seem to be getting

there. Is it time critics laid off Ali McCoist? Every defeat at Rangers

is a crisis, I think he knows that. It is nice to be talking about

Rangers the football team for a change as opposed to the fiscal

basket case. Good goals there, and a bit of momentum at the club that

desperately needs it. It does need positivity. News about the share

issue, they did not get the 4 million they targeted, they got 3.1

million, and there were a lot of negative headlines all over the

place. I think it just tide them over. Rangers are still panting and

wheezing their way through the weeks and months. They need stability,

they need money. They will need another cash injection very soon.

Ashley, Dave King, we don't know who will appear, if anybody. Still a

troubled club, have no doubt about that. Full to the gunwales last

night, fans still turning out to see Rangers. Yes, what Rangers have is

this magnificent support, in numbers. But they need to mobilise

that, they need to get together. The gap between the fans and board of

directors is getting bigger and bigger and bigger, and until

somebody closes the gap and gets everybody moving in the same

direction, I don't see where Rangers are going to go with this. We are

moving in the direction of Firhill right now. Something is afoot in the

match between Partick Thistle and Inverness. It is a penalty to

Partick Thistle. Chris Doolin was upended, and he comes up to take it,

and it is saved. Wasn't the best of penalties, low to the goalkeeper is

right, but he did exceptionally well to get down low and make the save

and grab it away from the onrushing striker trying to get on the end of

the rebound. That would have finished that match once and for

all, wouldn't it? But it was a lame effort. It was a poor effort, not a

great strike and nowhere near the corner, so it does not deserve to go

in. You think how well Inverness were going, hadn't conceded a goal

all season so far, Partick have scored three and that should have

been a fourth, it was a real chance. Well it is all over, I believe, in

the championship match between Falkirk and Queen of the South, so

let's hear, without any further ado, from Charlie Mann. All over indeed.

I think the referee was pleased to get it finished because it was not

the best game in the world, I must say. A draw was about right between

these two teams in a game of very few chances. Most of them half

chances. Both goals coming in the second half. The first on 70

minutes, Gavin Riley's fourth of the season for Queen of the South after

good play from Daniel Carmichael, whipping the ball back into the box

and a good finish from Riley. But then for Kirk equalised with seven

minutes to go. It was typical of the game, a free kick McCreight Siddle

took it, there was a wicked deflection off Higgins and passed

his own keeper. Queen of the South, the board will take their time to

find a replacement for Jim McIntyre. James Fowler is the man in charge at

the moment and he will be reasonably happy with the draw, although the

rest of us might not be. Thanks. All over at Perth between St Johnstone

and Dundee, Kenny McIntyre? So the dream start continues for Paul

Hartley and the Dundee fans. There were 3500 here today to watch their

side pick up a thoroughly deserved three points. There was confusion as

to who got the final touch for the goal after another inventive set

piece. The stadium announced Thomas Harkins, but it looks like another

player got it. There should have been more goals of operations for

Dundee, as they passed up excellent chances in both hearths. Alan Manus

pulled off top-class saves to deny Harkins and Paul McGowan. As the

Saints, they were awful here today, failing to troubled the Dundee

keeper once the meantime match. Saint St Johnstone were awful. Tommy

Robredo said after the international break, they always seem to put in a

bad performance. Why does that affect some teams rather than

others? I am not 100% sure. It is the mentality of the players. Dundee

go and play really well, people say St Johnstone didn't play, maybe the

opposition did not let them play. Stevie May is a big miss for them

upfront. Great day for Dundee, they have taken to the top league like a

duck to water, brilliant start. I think it is full-time at Kilmarnock?

Yes, and it has finished 2-1 to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Familiar

story again for St Mirren with plenty of possession and nice

football but another defeat. It looked like neither side had the

confidence or the ability in front of goal to break the deadlock, Josh

McGuinness with a header lifting wide in the first half for command.

Maclean lifting a shot over after the interval. The game lacked a

cutting edge for an hour but then there was a rush of goals. Muirhead

finding the spark, coming off the bench and scoring five goals later.

- scoring five minutes later. St Mirren did not let them be dropped

and their perseverance was rewarded when Marc Connelly was caught in

possession inside his own penalty area by Jim Goodman, who said John

McGinn, and his cross was converted by Adam Shorey. -- Adam Drury. It

should have lifted them, but Connelly redeemed himself when he

hit a powerful header past the St Mirren keeper. A familiarly flat

ending for St Mirren, but a good winter command. It was all happening

last time we went to Tannadice, it has all happened, because it is all

over. A result that takes Alek Neel's side to the top of the table

above Caledonian Thistle and Dundee United on goal difference. United

manager Jackie McNamara will be frustrated that his team failed to

get the win to take them into first place, especially as the poor

defending was very much in evidence. Ciftci gave them an early lead, only

for blunders from a defender and the keeper to allow Tony Andrew and

Antoine career to put them ahead. Ciftci was sent off on 40 minutes,

stupidly punching the ball into the net having already been booked.

Fojut bailed him out with a headed equaliser in first-half stoppage

time. He almost scored again in the second half. Mickey Devlin headed

just over in the dying moments as Accies had to settle for the point

moving them into first place in the Premiership. Heading to Firhill now,

it is all over now. Inverness were celebrating a clean sweep of

manager, player and Young Player of the Month earlier. Today they

experienced another travel, with a negative connotation, conceding

their first three goals of the season -- another treble. Alan Doran

had put them in front, but Stephen Lawless in a lovely left footed

strike into the corner of the net. Three minutes later Partick were in

front, this time Abdul Osman at the back post getting his first goal for

the club with a fine header from a game bottom corner kick. Caledonian

Thistle missed a number of chances, Billy McKay, Alan Doran with efforts

that did not hit the target. On 72 minutes, Calum Higginbotham, after

some neat football around the edge of the box, struck a delightful

right footed shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net. The

scoreline could have been even greater because in the final minute

Chris Doolin was upended in box, that was a penalty. He did it

himself but it was well saved by Brill, low to his left hand side.

There have been 38 goals in the last nine matches at Firhill. John Hughes

will be ruined the awards jinx today. Our final full-time report

from the Premiership comes from Andrew Thompson, he is watching Ross

County against Motherwell. It is 2-1 to Motherwell, so a hard-fought

victory for the steelmen against a Ross County side still struggling to

find their feet this season. Under new manager Jim McIntyre, they

dominated much of the first half. Michael Gard and came close to

breaking the deadlock a couple of times. As has happened for them in

other games this season they failed to create many clear-cut chances.

Motherwell came back into the game just before half-time, and came out

of the chaps at 100 mph. Vigurs with an incredible free kick into the top

corner, and moments later John Sutton scored what could be a

contender for goal of the season. The Motherwell striker chested the

ball down on the edge of the box and fired a wicked left footed volley

into the top corner past the stranded keeper. County pulled one

back thanks to substitute Lee Boyce, he smashed the ball into the back of

the net from close range after being sent off by Graham Carey. County

came close to an equaliser in the dying seconds, but there was a good

save for Motherwell. So, Motherwell, who have struggled so far this

season, will get a real boost from this result. County, under their new

manager, can perhaps take some positives as well. A good day in

general for the Lanarkshire club is. Two of your former employers. A look

at the Premiership table, and Accies are top, can you believe it? You

would not have thought it after the opening day defeat against Inverness

but they have ground out results, they have not been conceding. To go

to Tannadice and draw with Dundee United, who are playing well, very

difficult to deal with the cat attack, another feather in their

cat. -- with the counterattack. They are building and building and they

have a wonderful cushion between themselves and the bottom two

already. They need to knuckle down and keep it going. It has been a

great start, they need to carry through the season. Dropping into

the championship now for the full-time report from Ron Maclean,

who was watching Dumbarton against league leaders hearts. Hearts have

never had a great deal of love towards Ian Mulley, and I don't

imagine that has changed, the former Hibs skipper is now the Dumbarton

manager. Masterminding a performance of real resistance for his team to

day against pars, who were looking to keep up their winning start to

the season. It was a performance of real spirit and energy from

Dumbarton, they really did spurn everything that is Hearts threw at

them. The closest Hearts got was a header in stoppage time from Sam

Nicholson, which came back off the crossbar. In truth they lacked

quality in the final third, Hearts, as they tried to carve out

goal-scoring opportunities. Chris Cain was impressive upfront for

Dumbarton. They are delighted, getting a standing ovation at

half-time and full-time from their fans, building on last weeks defeat

of Livingston. We can find out how the archrivals of Hearts fared this

afternoon. Substitute Jason Cummings was the

hero, scoring the winner in the fifth minute of added time. They

dominated the first half but struggled to break down the blue

Brazil defence. They stunned the home supporters with two goals from

Sean Higgins and John Robertson. Higgins also hit the crossbar but

with 13 minutes left, they were awarded a penalty as Jordan Forster

had his shirt pulled and the substitute hammered the ball home

from 12 yards. At that point, it looked like it would be a point

apiece, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, the ball was knocked

down to Jason Cummings, the first effort was blocked by the

Cowdenbeath defence had nothing they could do about the second attempt

past Thompson into the corner of the net. The cheers of the 11,000 crowd

were all from the Hibs fans. That is a rarity these days, cheering at

Easter Road? I did not think they had it in them, when they went 2-1

down, he was so chilled out, he said they would come back and win 3-2.

There is a fan, his 70th birthday, if he had to sit through a loss to

Cowdenbeath would have been too much to bear, at least Hibs showed some

character and steel that has been missing for so long. They are still

putting the fans through it though. Now we can bring you the classified

roundup. We will start with the Scottish

Premiership. That is have a look at the teams in

the tables. Hamilton should be at the top of the table on goal

difference and it has not been updated.

Hearts lost their 100% record today after drawing with Dumbarton.

Ayr United are the pacesetters in League 1.

I think that table is wrong I am afraid. Arbroath lost so they are

not the leaders any longer. I apologise for one or two

difficulties we are having with the tables but we will now find out some

more details about the matches down south, we start with Arsenal and

Manchester City in the lunch time kick-off. Where to start with the

story of this game, it finished 2-2 but either side will feel they could

have won it. Manchester City taking the lead with a brilliant breakaway

goal against the run of play, Sergio Aguero finishing off a Jesus Navas

pass will stop Danny Welbeck hit the inside of the post with his first

chance in Arsenal red after 12 minutes. Arsenal equalised with a

brilliant Jack Wilshere goal on 64 minutes and then took the lead ten

minutes later after Alexis Sanchez volleyed home with the side of his

foot to put them in front. Martin Demichelis with the equaliser with

six minutes to go was the last goal scored in the game but three times

Manchester City might have won it, hitting the post twice late on and

Samir Nasri had one ruled out for offside, correctly. A tremendous

game. One of the big matches down south today, another was at Stamford

Bridge, Chelsea against Swansea, the top two teams in the table. A

comfortable win in the end of Chelsea, winning 4-2, four wins out

of four, scoring 16 goals along the way, a very happy Roman Abramovich

in the stands. A hat-trick for Diego Costa, seven on the season for him,

all of his goals coming from the six yard box. Swansea started

brilliantly, they deserved more than an early John Terry own goal but

they did not take their chances and were punished. Loic Remy scoring on

his debut, he was a substitute for the ago cost. Jonjo Shelvey getting

a consolation late on but it finishes 4-2. I have Diego Costa in

my team, he has set the Premier League alight. -- my fantasy team. I

thought he was a fantastic signing but at the World Cup, I started to

wonder if he was a player you wanted to spend so much on but Jose

Mourinho does not waste Chelsea's money, with him in the team, I know

Manchester City still have the big-money but wait until he gets the

hang of it, he will be pretty good. Brilliant. That is just about it for

today, you can savour the choicest cuts of the matches and the

championship action tomorrow. The results show returns next week,

please join us then but that is it for today, thanks to Tom English and

Craig Patterson for their wisdom and occasional flourish of wit and

putting up -- and thank you for putting up with the rest of us.