:00:00. > :00:44.Sportscene's invite lost in the post...
:00:45. > :01:21.This is what they're missing out on tonight.
:01:22. > :01:23.Bafta kicking themselves over on BBC One.
:01:24. > :01:26.The leading lights in the studio tonight, Steven Thompson and Stuart
:01:27. > :01:36.A difficult few weeks for the champions.
:01:37. > :01:40.Defeat to Ross County in the League Cup and an uninspiring
:01:41. > :01:42.victory over lowly East Kilbride in the Scottish Cup.
:01:43. > :01:44.Ross County the opponents once again.
:01:45. > :01:59.The manager has reverted to type with the line-up. There is a home
:02:00. > :02:07.drink asked home debut for Sviatchenko, Gordon is restored in
:02:08. > :02:08.goal. Andrew Davies is injured. His armband goes to Quinn. His place
:02:09. > :02:20.goes to Robertson. Celtic began that League Cup
:02:21. > :02:24.semifinal 13 days ago on fire, got that goal inside 30 seconds. They
:02:25. > :02:29.have begun positively here. This is Griffiths. Denied goal number 30 of
:02:30. > :02:38.the season by Scott Fox. The red card really did change the
:02:39. > :02:57.complexion of that last tie. Stefan Johansen, the won the player
:02:58. > :03:03.of the year cleric -- last year. Fox does enough. Mackay-Steven began his
:03:04. > :03:14.career at the stag is. You could say he is a lucky. -- unlucky. This is
:03:15. > :03:15.better from County. Haven't really been seen as an attacking force as
:03:16. > :03:28.yet. This is Irvine. I am sure Gervinho would have played
:03:29. > :03:33.that threw in his mind, scoring against his old team. -- I am sure
:03:34. > :03:41.Irvine would have played that through in his mind. Gervinho loses
:03:42. > :03:47.out, that is Stefan Johansen, and it's going to come through to
:03:48. > :03:56.Griffiths. -- Gervinho loses out. You can't convert. He knows he
:03:57. > :04:01.should have done. A despairing dive from first Quinn, and then Fox, who
:04:02. > :04:08.couldn't believe his luck, as this is pegged straight back at him.
:04:09. > :04:18.Tierney, trying to torment Franks. He has got the cross in. Its
:04:19. > :04:28.Griffiths! It is 1-0. And it is dirty for the season. -- 34 the
:04:29. > :04:29.season, for Celtic's number nine. A wonderful finish from Leigh
:04:30. > :04:41.Griffiths. Here comes Celtic again. It's going
:04:42. > :04:47.to come through to Mackay-Steven. He is claiming a corner, goal kick
:04:48. > :04:56.only. He will be annoyed he hasn't hit the target here.
:04:57. > :05:04.Stefan Johansen worked it to Sviatchenko, a second chance here
:05:05. > :05:14.for Celtic. It's a clever ball, Boyata makes it two. That could be
:05:15. > :05:17.game over. Well, it's a lovely ball in by Stuart Armstrong. Scott Fox
:05:18. > :05:23.won't be happy with his positioning. He is caught out at the front post
:05:24. > :05:29.when Armstrong crossed it in, and Boyata did well. It is 2-0.
:05:30. > :05:44.Celtic, without really turning it on, are deserving of the lead that
:05:45. > :05:52.they have. County have barely laid a glove on them. It was a poor ball
:05:53. > :05:58.there, it has allowed it to be slipped through for Gardyne. That
:05:59. > :06:03.could have gone anywhere. Celtic are so comfortable, that a County goal
:06:04. > :06:21.could change things dramatically. Reckord pinches it back for County.
:06:22. > :06:28.The shackles are off a little bit since they went 2-0 behind. Craig
:06:29. > :06:37.Gordon wasn't sure. Still, it is County. It is well over from
:06:38. > :06:41.McShane. After frustration for the visitors, it might have been bending
:06:42. > :06:47.in Tommy you know. We gave them a yard, they got closer, the first
:06:48. > :06:52.half we started to get closer to them and we were quite good in the
:06:53. > :06:56.second as well. Passing could be better. To lose the goal just before
:06:57. > :07:00.half-time lets them relax a bit, lets the crowd relax a bit because
:07:01. > :07:05.the crowd will start to get on their case and obviously again you are
:07:06. > :07:11.hoping to get that 70 minute mark and then maybe have a bit more of a
:07:12. > :07:16.go at it but in that game we lost another poor goal, which we should
:07:17. > :07:21.defend. It's been a difficult couple of weeks, a 2-0 victory against Ross
:07:22. > :07:25.County might give them a bit of breathing space? He certainly under
:07:26. > :07:29.scrutiny. Celtic were not at their best, yesterday. Quite a lot of
:07:30. > :07:32.their players underperformed but they got their result. Ross County
:07:33. > :07:37.wherein the game for large periods but again, Griffiths, his 30th goal
:07:38. > :07:41.of the season making the difference but just before half-time. Celtic
:07:42. > :07:46.didn't run away with it. It's been a tricky couple of weeks for Ross
:07:47. > :07:51.County, a difficult match midweek against Hearts, so maybe feeling a
:07:52. > :07:56.bit lately? Possibly so, they didn't perform as well as they would like.
:07:57. > :07:59.They lost goals just at the wrong times, just before half-time is a
:08:00. > :08:03.killer for them. Anything they got yesterday would have been a bonus
:08:04. > :08:06.for them but they have had a good season until now. They need to kick
:08:07. > :08:12.on and solidify themselves in the top six. How positive should Celtic
:08:13. > :08:16.fans eat? There was more dynamism in the attacking midfield, supporting
:08:17. > :08:19.the attacking play yesterday? They were trying their best to get
:08:20. > :08:24.forward in numbers. Here, you see they win the ball. It's really
:08:25. > :08:29.intelligent run from Mackay-Steven, from end to end, probably should
:08:30. > :08:33.score and open up the bottom corner. But Celtic attacks well. This is a
:08:34. > :08:36.really good chance. Griffiths will be kicking himself. He does
:08:37. > :08:41.everything right, goes around the keeper and doesn't quite get his
:08:42. > :08:46.angles right. Absolutely, Leigh Griffiths with 30 goals for the
:08:47. > :08:52.season. Look at this, Celtic have so much attacking talent, they can
:08:53. > :08:55.attack at pace. They have Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Griffiths, Tierney
:08:56. > :09:01.and the fullback areas, so much pace. I think at home in the big
:09:02. > :09:05.open spaces especially when they go a goal up and the other team have to
:09:06. > :09:08.come out at them it leaves counterattacking. You look at the
:09:09. > :09:12.pace, they will always be a threat. There is still the sense among the
:09:13. > :09:15.Celtic fans, the crowd wasn't the best Celtic crowd, questions over
:09:16. > :09:19.Bonnie Dowler but with Aberdeen playing tomorrow the pressure goes
:09:20. > :09:24.in Aberdeen to see if they can get a victory which they will now need
:09:25. > :09:28.against Inverness, to keep pace with Celtic. Yes, Derek will look forward
:09:29. > :09:31.to going to Inverness. It was Inverness who stopped the great run
:09:32. > :09:36.at the start of the season when Inverness beat them, but it will be
:09:37. > :09:40.a good bit of business in the window, Church has come in, a good
:09:41. > :09:44.player. Nip and tuck, when you play a day after the pressure is on
:09:45. > :09:49.Aberdeen to win but it's a game they can do so. Aberdeen are on a great
:09:50. > :09:57.run but Inverness always difficult opponents for Aberdeen, it seems?
:09:58. > :10:01.It's such a difficult venue to try and win. Aberdeen are in a position
:10:02. > :10:04.where they have to win every game, and with Celtic already having won
:10:05. > :10:08.yesterday puts that bit of pressure on them. I think they are capable of
:10:09. > :10:11.rising to the pressure. It is interesting for us.
:10:12. > :10:13.Next to Fir Park, where Motherwell took on Kilmarnock.
:10:14. > :10:16.Killie caretaker boss Lee McCulloch back at one of his former clubs
:10:17. > :10:20.These sides with just one league win between them in 2016.
:10:21. > :10:35.The Motherwell captain makes way in the starting XI. Kilmarnock
:10:36. > :10:40.caretaker manager Lee McCulloch sticks with the sides who drew 0-0
:10:41. > :10:43.with Rangers in the Cup last time out. Chile haven't beaten Motherwell
:10:44. > :10:48.in the lead in the last five attempts. -- Dalmarnock. Both sides
:10:49. > :10:52.know defeat today will leave them in the relegation play-off spot.
:10:53. > :11:01.Kilmarnock currently occupying that birth, as things stand. That ball
:11:02. > :11:05.was clipped in towards McGuinness. It tees up Kiltie, deflected, just
:11:06. > :11:11.drops the wrong side of the post from Kilmarnock's point of view.
:11:12. > :11:12.Nice holding play from McGuinness, Ripley was scrambling to get across
:11:13. > :11:27.to it. That is calm play from Stevie
:11:28. > :11:32.Hamill. Driven into the penalty area, a sure saved by Ripley. But
:11:33. > :11:38.let off for Motherwell. Sloppy play on the edge of his own box by Gomez.
:11:39. > :11:43.Had a couple of nibbles, once he got into the penalty area it was
:11:44. > :11:53.straight at Ripley. Stevie Smith and Craig Slater over race, Slater,
:11:54. > :11:55.touched over the bar by Ripley. A decent strike from Craig Slater but
:11:56. > :12:05.the Motherwell keeper would expect to save this one. Stevie Smith to
:12:06. > :12:10.have a go this time. Up, and over the wall, a terrific save from
:12:11. > :12:16.Connor Ripley. A beautiful free kick and a save to match. Delivered in
:12:17. > :12:19.towards McManus. Just over the bar, that a big defender got high but
:12:20. > :12:30.couldn't directed goalwards. Stevie Hamill took him off the ball,
:12:31. > :12:37.Kilmarnock play on Slater switches the blade towards Stevie Smith. It's
:12:38. > :12:43.a great cross the back post, Kiltie! Greg Kiltie gets Kilmarnock the
:12:44. > :12:51.lead, and it was a terrific move. That's a fantastic cross from Smith.
:12:52. > :12:58.Kiltie there to supply the finish. The goal-scorer, Kiltie, coming
:12:59. > :13:04.forward. A nice path towards Craig Slater, allowed to drive out the
:13:05. > :13:09.Motherwell defence and scores. Craig Slater doubles Kilmarnock's lead,
:13:10. > :13:14.and it really was all too easy. Kiltie slipped it passed to Slater,
:13:15. > :13:21.nobody tracks is run from midfield. It was allowed to travel and he
:13:22. > :13:28.picked his spot. MacDonald looking to fashion an opening for
:13:29. > :13:33.Motherwell, finds Pearson. Johnson's slides his effort into the side
:13:34. > :13:38.netting. A rare sight of goal for the home site. In fact, there was a
:13:39. > :13:43.couple of Motherwell players waiting on the cutback, that never arrived.
:13:44. > :13:52.Kiltie has found some space. McGuinness. So close, the number 34
:13:53. > :13:59.Dalmarnock, Josh Magennis, just couldn't directed that on target. --
:14:00. > :14:11.the number three, for Kilmarnock. Almost falls to Frizzell. Not too
:14:12. > :14:18.far away. Powerful drive, just angled away at the last moment.
:14:19. > :14:28.Three minutes of injury time Motherwell have defined something
:14:29. > :14:33.here. What a chance that was. Really should have scored from there. It
:14:34. > :14:40.just about sums up Motherwell's day. The most important thing today was
:14:41. > :14:44.the point Gore on the board. The way they play, especially second half,
:14:45. > :14:50.created chances, Motherwell goalie made a good few states today.
:14:51. > :14:53.Gretchen Acra saves. Could have been one or two more. Delighted with the
:14:54. > :14:57.performance but it's only the start of the hard work. By far the worst
:14:58. > :15:02.performance we've had since I've been here. I always remind people, I
:15:03. > :15:07.was brought here not because we were flying but because of what needed
:15:08. > :15:12.doing. Occasionally we will have setbacks like that and setbacks like
:15:13. > :15:16.the run we have had recently, but we have to find a way out as quickly as
:15:17. > :15:23.possible. It's up to me and the coaches and players to dig ourselves
:15:24. > :15:30.out of it. Lee Clark will be the new Kilmarnock manager, he's the former
:15:31. > :15:34.manager of Huddersfield, Birmingham City and Blackpool. Is he the right
:15:35. > :15:40.man to keep Kilmarnock safe? I hope he is. He took a difficult job on at
:15:41. > :15:43.Blackpool and struggled a bit. Good record at Huddersfield, good
:15:44. > :15:48.experience. He will be going into a buoyant dressing room. He's got
:15:49. > :15:53.terrific results, 0-0 at Ibrox in the cup and a good 2-0 victory at
:15:54. > :15:58.Motherwell. That is the thing with the league with, like, they lose
:15:59. > :16:02.against Hamilton then pull out a victory over Motherwell. And so
:16:03. > :16:08.tight fairways virtually nothing between fourth and 11th. They've
:16:09. > :16:11.been getting better results away from home this season, Kilmarnock,
:16:12. > :16:15.yesterday was a huge result. Still a lot of work to do to make sure they
:16:16. > :16:20.do not finish in the play-off spot. One bit of business he did was keep
:16:21. > :16:25.hold of Greg Kiltie who played a big role yesterday at Fir Park. He is in
:16:26. > :16:30.the number ten slot, it helps to play with a centre forward like
:16:31. > :16:36.Magennis restructures the game. He goes and becomes an actual striker.
:16:37. > :16:40.Great ball by Stevie Smith. He's in there, poor defending by Motherwell.
:16:41. > :16:45.Get in between the left-back and centre-back. He is in acres of space
:16:46. > :16:50.because Magennis can stretch the game. Motherwell are deep. Runs off
:16:51. > :16:57.the back here. Gomez. Again, running in. Could have slipped. Really good
:16:58. > :17:04.goal by a highly rated youngster, Slater. Kelly playing in that area
:17:05. > :17:10.gave Motherwell a lot of problems. Pace in the wide areas and Magennis
:17:11. > :17:16.upfront. Great play from guilty, not by Motherwell. He was Manager of the
:17:17. > :17:21.Month, then it has gone pear shaped, what has happened, they are second
:17:22. > :17:25.bottom of the table. Mark said it was the worst performance since he
:17:26. > :17:31.has been there, in previous games last minute penalty against Dundee,
:17:32. > :17:34.it was never a penalty kick. I was at the Partick game, last-minute
:17:35. > :17:37.deflection, even Inverness in the cup was last minute. They haven't
:17:38. > :17:41.been playing badly but results and confidence will get affected. What
:17:42. > :17:44.they've got, and it's a good thing, they go to Dundee United on Tuesday
:17:45. > :17:48.and when you've had a really bad performance as a player you want to
:17:49. > :17:52.get back out on the park and it's a huge game for them on Tuesday. Quick
:17:53. > :17:56.question about Lee Clark and he's coming from English football. How
:17:57. > :17:59.difficult will it be for him to come straight into the Scottish game?
:18:00. > :18:03.Difficult moment for Kilmarnock. He will have done his homework, he will
:18:04. > :18:07.know the Scottish game if he is applying for a job in Scotland. It's
:18:08. > :18:13.a difficult task, he's probably aware of that. He's faced a
:18:14. > :18:15.difficult task before, certainly at Blackpool, and he will come
:18:16. > :18:17.positive. Scottish Cup replay with Rangers on Tuesday night.
:18:18. > :18:21.Well, every game is huge for Dundee United these days
:18:22. > :18:23.as they desperately try to claw their way to safety.
:18:24. > :18:25.They were away at Hamilton Academical -
:18:26. > :18:28.one of the sides they were hoping to claw back into the mire.
:18:29. > :18:38.Hamilton looking to pick up where they left off with that big win at
:18:39. > :18:48.Kilmarnock two weeks ago. Without suspended McKinnon, the replacement
:18:49. > :18:55.is grand Gillespie. Dundee have won two in a row and now three out of
:18:56. > :19:03.four, hoping the trend continues. Guide about get a second chance for
:19:04. > :19:12.United. -- Demel. There is John Rankin. The shot saved by Michael
:19:13. > :19:15.McGovern. Gordon and Devlin were frantically trying to throw
:19:16. > :19:20.themselves in front. Got the shot away but not wide of the keeper.
:19:21. > :19:31.Donaldson gets away from Doody Emery. Continues to battle his way
:19:32. > :19:35.forward. Hit the deck. No penalty. There was a little tangle outside
:19:36. > :19:39.the area. Inside he looked to trip himself up.
:19:40. > :19:54.Given away by Gillespie. And now Ryan Dow striding forward. Threading
:19:55. > :19:56.through. Good challenge. The full-back doing his job, tucking in,
:19:57. > :20:14.to get that clear. Glancing header, Donaldson. Looking
:20:15. > :20:22.to squeeze that in from the tightest of angles. At the back post. How
:20:23. > :20:24.United would love to win this game. Ali Crawford's corner. Powerful
:20:25. > :20:39.header away. Imrie. Saved by how a Shima. Ball ends up
:20:40. > :20:50.in the back of the net but it's not going to count. --:
:20:51. > :21:03.still goalless at New Douglas Park. Free kick and a booking. Foul by
:21:04. > :21:04.Devlin on Billy Mckay. No complaints about the yellow card flashed in his
:21:05. > :21:17.face by referee Steven MacLean. Pretty good effort, certainly in the
:21:18. > :21:20.context of this game, from John Rankin. Skimming the top of the net
:21:21. > :21:36.on its way over. Imrie sets off away from Demel, gets
:21:37. > :21:42.past Payton. The midfielder has concealed it -- conceded a penalty.
:21:43. > :21:51.Hamilton Aki 's could claim all three points. Ali Crawford. And it
:21:52. > :21:54.is saved. -- Hamilton Academical 's could claim all three points. Not
:21:55. > :22:00.the greatest of penalties, right down the middle, but credit to the
:22:01. > :22:17.Japanese keeper for making the safe. John Rankin with the long throw.
:22:18. > :22:23.Fire across goal by Rankin, away by Devlin, Demel's shot blocked. Devlin
:22:24. > :22:32.again doing the defensive duties. Demel twice denied late on. It just
:22:33. > :22:34.won't go in the net for old United. They want to turn one point into
:22:35. > :22:50.three. Good goalkeeping. They want to turn one point into
:22:51. > :22:55.goalkeeper... And Hamilton scrambling to get that clear.
:22:56. > :23:03.Handball by Devlin, who has already been booked. And the inevitable has
:23:04. > :23:10.happened, second yellow card. For Devlin. Hamilton and this with ten
:23:11. > :23:17.men. Very little between eight or nine teams, it was the case again
:23:18. > :23:22.today. Not a lot of quality. We battled well, for us it is four
:23:23. > :23:26.clean sheets in the last five. Had we scored the penalty we would have
:23:27. > :23:31.been delighted. We lacked a little bit today, we were not as sharp
:23:32. > :23:36.passing wise as well. At times we should have passed it better. We
:23:37. > :23:45.didn't. Gave the ball away too cheaply. You get days like this and
:23:46. > :23:50.now we go forward. It finished 0-0. It's getting the big screen
:23:51. > :23:55.treatment. Was that a better point for United or Hamilton? Hamilton, at
:23:56. > :23:59.this stage Dundee United need to win games. If the penalty goes in, and
:24:00. > :24:03.often don't get any, it's something to build on for United, it is four
:24:04. > :24:07.clean sheets out of five for them. United have to clean sheets on the
:24:08. > :24:12.bouts, they are improving as well. You were impressed by Hamilton's
:24:13. > :24:15.defending. Hamilton were superb defensively, third clean sheet in a
:24:16. > :24:23.row and individually, Ziggy Gordon was this star man. Found himself
:24:24. > :24:27.almost playing like a sweeper, allowing both centre halves of
:24:28. > :24:34.Hamilton to get as tight as they wanted. If I play this on, you can
:24:35. > :24:39.see on a dozen occasions Ziggy anticipated, read the game, cleared
:24:40. > :24:43.the danger, like an insurance policy for the two centre halves. Dundee
:24:44. > :24:47.United played an awful lot of long balls to Billy Mckay upfront, it's
:24:48. > :24:53.not where he want it against a six foot to centre-half. We watching
:24:54. > :25:01.week in, week out, very consistent, he likes a challenge. He is a
:25:02. > :25:05.warrior. For a kid of 22 he has played a lot of games and has good
:25:06. > :25:10.match experience. He can go higher. He's played 124 games. You see
:25:11. > :25:15.really good challenges here. The two centre halves going tight. If I
:25:16. > :25:20.pause it, he's already given depth to the game. The centre halves in a
:25:21. > :25:26.bit of a cluster here. The key is reading it, his positional awareness
:25:27. > :25:31.through the game is superb. He gets over. Crunching tackle. He likes the
:25:32. > :25:34.tackle. This one for me is the best of the game. As the ball is played
:25:35. > :25:40.up he has a decision to make. Dundee United have three men in attack,
:25:41. > :25:44.Simon Murray about to make this one through the gap. If he gets through
:25:45. > :25:48.there he is one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Eddie has to keep an eye
:25:49. > :25:53.on both players. What he eventually does is superb, keeps possession,
:25:54. > :25:58.reads the game, another crunching tackle. It was indicative of
:25:59. > :26:02.Hamilton and Ziggy's performance. He is a Hamilton Academy graduate, he
:26:03. > :26:08.is on contract. Will other clubs take an interest? I'm sure they
:26:09. > :26:12.will, but being 22 they will be a thief. He proved in his game he can
:26:13. > :26:17.play centre-back as well as right back. He good leadership qualities.
:26:18. > :26:20.This is a perfect example of his leadership qualities, last minute of
:26:21. > :26:24.the game putting his body on the line for the team with a superb
:26:25. > :26:31.defensive header. Hamilton after the 8-1 defeat at Celtic, he has been
:26:32. > :26:34.working on defence and it's working. Dundee 12 adrift at the bottom of
:26:35. > :26:39.the table and play Motherwell at Tannadice on Tuesday, do they have a
:26:40. > :26:44.glimmer of hope? It is a must win game for them on Tuesday. For they
:26:45. > :26:47.went... If they could get it down to six points, it's doable, they will
:26:48. > :26:52.think they can still do it. They have to start turning draws into
:26:53. > :26:55.wins. Other well second bottom of the table, United will play them
:26:56. > :27:00.three times between now and the end of the season. It'll give them hope.
:27:01. > :27:01.I think Dundee United candidate but they have to win on Tuesday. If they
:27:02. > :27:03.don't, it's over. Remarkably, it's over two months
:27:04. > :27:06.since St Johnstone's last win Would the blood and thunder
:27:07. > :27:10.of a Tayside Derby clash with Dundee inject some life into
:27:11. > :27:22.a faltering season? Paul Hartley goes with the same 11
:27:23. > :27:29.who drew 0-0 with Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup. St Johnstone looking
:27:30. > :27:35.to halt an alarming slump in form. Tommy Wright has changed Marie
:27:36. > :27:43.Davidson and Simon Lappin, coming in for Craig and Miller. Dunfermline
:27:44. > :27:50.know victory can take them above St Johnstone in the table. Didn't get
:27:51. > :27:57.hold of it, the skipper. May have preferred this on the left foot.
:27:58. > :28:02.Pulled the shot wide. Things can break here. Swanson running out of
:28:03. > :28:09.defence. He has support in the shape of Fisher. Just fires over the top
:28:10. > :28:14.of the crossbar. Dundee were caught short at the back there.
:28:15. > :28:21.Fisher couldn't find the target. Swanson driving in the defence. He
:28:22. > :28:30.goes down, no free kick given. Launched forwards towards Hemming.
:28:31. > :28:34.Strikes... Just fires across goal. Gary Harkins in the middle felt it
:28:35. > :28:38.should have been square to him. Harkins busting a gut to get it.
:28:39. > :28:44.Hemming 's went himself but pulled the shot wide. -- Hemmings.
:28:45. > :28:53.McGowan, whose effort is blocked. Nice play from Ross. Stuart again
:28:54. > :29:09.gets a shot away. Carried. He is read what just now, Hemmings,
:29:10. > :29:10.Player of the Month in January. He was on hand to knock in the 17th
:29:11. > :29:18.goal of the season. Simon Lappin will look to deliver.
:29:19. > :29:24.It's easy enough for the Dundee keeper. He wants to get things
:29:25. > :29:28.moving. That is a great kick out towards Hemmings again.
:29:29. > :29:34.Got enough behind it. Hemmings is the man causing all the problems for
:29:35. > :29:45.Saints at the moment. Well played, Danny Swanton is still
:29:46. > :29:50.going. Looked for McClean in the middle, I don't think that was an
:29:51. > :29:51.attempt on goal. Strong running from the midfielder. I think this was
:29:52. > :30:03.intended as a cross. Danny Swanton almost got the ball
:30:04. > :30:11.back, it will come to Wotherspoon. Almost came to commence. Was he
:30:12. > :30:17.being held there? -- Cummins. Danny Swanton is at the heart of a lot of
:30:18. > :30:21.the best work. Hemmings is free again. The Dundee striker is through
:30:22. > :30:32.on goal and that is an emphatic finish. Wonderful finish from
:30:33. > :30:39.Hemmings, the vision was had to pick out Hemmings. A striker bursting
:30:40. > :30:48.with confidence. 2- 02 Dundee, no than they deserve. -- it is 2-0, to
:30:49. > :30:55.Dundee. Dundee have things exactly where they want them now. -- they
:30:56. > :31:00.have the Saints exactly where they want them now. Back off the
:31:01. > :31:05.crossbar, Nick Ross with the follow-up. Eventually Saints at it
:31:06. > :31:11.clear. Greg Stuart almost finished the match air. A great run, very
:31:12. > :31:16.unlucky -- Greg Stewart. He almost finished the match here. Conrad can
:31:17. > :31:28.only half clear it. That is parried, but he got enough
:31:29. > :31:32.of a strong arm on it, the Dundee keeper. Fisher, towards Sutton, who
:31:33. > :31:50.couldn't react quickly enough. That is cleared away. Fisher will
:31:51. > :31:54.have a strike deflected. He had to get that over the bar. The initial
:31:55. > :31:59.strike didn't look too dangerous, but the deflection almost took it
:32:00. > :32:02.goalwards. I feel we are playing well and just let the guys go and
:32:03. > :32:07.play in the final third and enjoy their football. Some have an
:32:08. > :32:14.excellent combination. I thought McGowan and Ross were brilliant in
:32:15. > :32:19.the two sets tonight, you can see that they are a good team on their
:32:20. > :32:23.day. We are disappointed obviously but we started the game well. There
:32:24. > :32:28.probably wasn't much in the teams in the first half. We had great
:32:29. > :32:30.opportunities. Fisher and Wotherspoon had opportunities. But
:32:31. > :32:35.the first goal is always vital in these games and recently we don't
:32:36. > :32:39.seem to getting that. Another tough night for St Johnstone, who are
:32:40. > :32:42.struggling at the moment but a great win for Dundee as they rise up the
:32:43. > :32:48.table. You were there on Friday night, Hemmings was at the fore.
:32:49. > :32:52.Gary Harkins like contempt Leigh Griffiths. Is that something you
:32:53. > :32:58.agree with? Possibly so, Hemmings is playing at the top of his game, full
:32:59. > :33:02.of confidence. He is a strong runner, left-sided. Your first goal
:33:03. > :33:07.shows the kind of striker he can be. It was a good move by Dundee, good
:33:08. > :33:11.football, it comes out to Ross, who was good on the night. I love the
:33:12. > :33:17.shimmy from Stewart, he takes it on his good side, his left side, and
:33:18. > :33:22.Hemmings follows it up as good strikers do. He showed he can be a
:33:23. > :33:28.penalty box striker. Swanton gives it away, a great ball by Harkins and
:33:29. > :33:35.it puts them through. Still a bit to do, confidence, strikes, power, a
:33:36. > :33:39.great finish. I think it is his 12th goal, a phenomenal return and he has
:33:40. > :33:44.been a star man this season. A fantastic showing from cane
:33:45. > :33:48.Hemmings. How worried should St Johnstone fans be? Quite worried,
:33:49. > :33:52.they haven't won game since December the 5th, and they are really
:33:53. > :33:56.struggling. They look flat. I think losing O'Halloran, he gave them the
:33:57. > :34:00.extra edge up front and terms of pace. Dave Mackay out injured for
:34:01. > :34:03.the rest of the season, it doesn't look good. They need to get some
:34:04. > :34:07.form of result to give them a glimmer of hope, something to hold
:34:08. > :34:13.onto and turn it around because when you are on these runs it gets worse
:34:14. > :34:16.and worse. There was a lot of chat about this incident involving O'Day,
:34:17. > :34:23.some people felt it was a stamp. What is you think? He'd done is on
:34:24. > :34:27.him and stands on him but I would say to anyone, wherever you go, if
:34:28. > :34:32.you try and jump over something or jump over anybody, I have stood over
:34:33. > :34:36.people on training, there is nowhere else for his legs to go. I don't
:34:37. > :34:40.think for one second that has been deliberate. There is no doubt he
:34:41. > :34:44.stood on him but I did in the back garden today just to prove a point,
:34:45. > :34:48.I went to jump over the ball. As I was landing I tried to put my legs
:34:49. > :34:54.somewhere else. It's impossible to do. Who did you practice on? My
:34:55. > :34:59.little boy! He needs stitches now! He can't get out of the way, I
:35:00. > :35:03.promise you. I agree, immediately after his hands are up gesturing to
:35:04. > :35:06.say he didn't mean it. I don't think there was any malice in it.
:35:07. > :35:08.Time for a look at a slightly remarkable Ladbrokes Premiership
:35:09. > :35:12.With Aberdeen not in action until tomorrow, Celtic have reopened
:35:13. > :35:16.But look at that - from Ross County down to Motherwell
:35:17. > :35:19.All those side just separated by seven points.
:35:20. > :35:24.Dundee United still with it all to do.
:35:25. > :35:26.To the Championship, and Rangers were looking
:35:27. > :35:28.for an eighth League win in a row against rock-bottom Alloa.
:35:29. > :35:31.All the talk before the game about the Alloa pitch,
:35:32. > :35:32.which had recently been narrowed by nine yards.
:35:33. > :35:50.The lines that Alloa have been making headlines, this is their team
:35:51. > :35:54.lines. Hetherington comes in. Our first Rangers start for O'Halloran,
:35:55. > :36:05.the same for Forrester, the two players have dropped out.
:36:06. > :36:12.Sliding it through for Forrester, so close to the opening goal. It would
:36:13. > :36:24.have been his first goal, had it gone in. Clever curling effort.
:36:25. > :36:32.Waghorn drags his effort wide. A big opportunity, and he knows it. To get
:36:33. > :36:34.Rangers ahead here. We are not used to the sight of him missing chances
:36:35. > :36:47.like that. Off the crossbar. Twice, Rangers
:36:48. > :36:55.have struck the frame of the goal now.
:36:56. > :37:06.The blue shirts are flooding forward. A good save Scott
:37:07. > :37:10.Gallacher. Got his body in the way. It denied the man who has been a
:37:11. > :37:17.prolific goal-scorer for Rangers this season.
:37:18. > :37:25.Tavernier tries to force the ball in, not the best of clearances. Not
:37:26. > :37:28.the best of efforts that goal. Not just missing the target, Andy
:37:29. > :37:34.Halliday, this might have gone out of the ground.
:37:35. > :37:44.Burton O'Brien with the free kick for Alloa. Dougie Hill's limping
:37:45. > :37:49.header, needed a touch over the top. From Rangers' goalkeeper,
:37:50. > :37:55.Foderingham, a corner kick, Alloa. In it comes from Megginson. Jason
:37:56. > :38:05.Maas course for Alloa Athletic. Bottom leads top by 1-0 -- Jason
:38:06. > :38:09.Marr scores. I think his header took a touch from Lee Wallace on its way
:38:10. > :38:15.in. Foderingham threw up a glove but couldn't keep it out. Andy Halliday
:38:16. > :38:21.is looking to spark a rapid response. O'Halloran squeezes in.
:38:22. > :38:27.The overhead kick from Forrester goes wide of target.
:38:28. > :38:41.As Rangers look to get this game levelled up. Andy Halliday, a lovely
:38:42. > :38:48.pass. Now Billy King. Beaten away by Scott Gallacher. Stern resistance
:38:49. > :38:54.here. From Alloa Athletic, looking to cling onto this 1-0 lead.
:38:55. > :38:59.Tavernier with the corner kick, all the way for Danny Wilson. It was
:39:00. > :39:06.goal bound from the central defender, and it's the latest in a
:39:07. > :39:12.string of impressive saves from the one-time Rangers goalkeeper, Scott
:39:13. > :39:22.Gallacher. Another important header away, but it keeps coming back. The
:39:23. > :39:27.work, it is Scott Gallacher again -- need work. Standing big in the
:39:28. > :39:37.goalmouth and blocking this from O'Halloran.
:39:38. > :39:50.Rangers using the full width of the pitch. And O'Halloran scored his
:39:51. > :39:56.first goal for Rangers. An important one as well, get them back on level
:39:57. > :40:03.terms. They must have been wondering what Wood if they were ever going to
:40:04. > :40:06.find the net. -- they must have been wondering if there were ever going
:40:07. > :40:11.to find the net. Finally, they have done. The cross spinning awkwardly
:40:12. > :40:17.inside the penalty box. Tavernier, off the line from Jason Marr.
:40:18. > :40:20.Effective at one end and equally effective at the other. He took a
:40:21. > :40:29.step back here behind the goalkeeper, so important. Andy
:40:30. > :40:34.Halliday floats it in, Tavernier, and Scott Gallacher looks to have
:40:35. > :40:42.the final say. Another terrific save from him. It stays 1-1.
:40:43. > :40:47.Rangers are utterly dominant but having to fight back for a 1-1 draw.
:40:48. > :40:51.How concerned should Rangers fans be about that result? They have scored
:40:52. > :40:56.three goals in four games, which is like them. The biggest problem all
:40:57. > :41:00.season, they have not had many, is the ratio of goals to chances
:41:01. > :41:03.created. They have loads of possession, create numerous chances,
:41:04. > :41:07.but they haven't taken as many as they should be doing. Great
:41:08. > :41:15.goalkeeping yesterday but some poor finishing as well. Scott Gallacher
:41:16. > :41:17.started Rangers and had a great day yesterday, although Rangers had
:41:18. > :41:22.loads of chances. He was inspired but Rangers should have get -- had
:41:23. > :41:26.the game out of sight in the first half. They created numerous
:41:27. > :41:31.opportunities and were wasteful. Although it was brilliant
:41:32. > :41:35.goalkeeping from Scott Gallacher, Rangers had 72% possession which you
:41:36. > :41:40.would expect, over 20 corners in the match, so they completely dominated
:41:41. > :41:44.the match but again, their conversion rate for the chances they
:41:45. > :41:50.are creating isn't as good as it should be. There was chat about the
:41:51. > :41:55.narrow pitch. It did look noticeably narrow, nine yards, and it did make
:41:56. > :41:59.sorry contest and spectacle. Was that a factor, how much of a factor
:42:00. > :42:06.playing on the narrow pitch logistics? The players say it is not
:42:07. > :42:10.an excuse afterwards because they created opportunities. They played
:42:11. > :42:16.on Alloa, the worst plastic pitch, they go to Kilmarnock on Tuesday
:42:17. > :42:19.night which is not bad and Queen of the South next Sunday, a decent one,
:42:20. > :42:24.so three plastic pitches, they will be looking to get better results as
:42:25. > :42:29.they go on. Alloa are playing within their strengths and well within
:42:30. > :42:33.their rights to narrow the pitch. Yes, it helps them to be more
:42:34. > :42:36.compact. You need look against Rangers but they were resilient.
:42:37. > :42:39.Alloa play safe fight to stay the Championship.
:42:40. > :42:42.So with Rangers dropping points in Alloa, could Hibs capitalise
:42:43. > :42:43.in the evening match away at Livingston?
:42:44. > :42:56.-- commentary from Liam McLeod. It is back to lead business for
:42:57. > :42:59.Hibernian. They are under pressure here. Foderingham's bawling. This is
:43:00. > :43:14.Buchanan. -- ball in. A nice little attack this, by
:43:15. > :43:28.Livingstone, who are looking for a first win since Boxing Day. More
:43:29. > :43:31.than half the crowd made up by the fans this evening, looking to
:43:32. > :43:36.capitalise on the fact that Rangers dropped points at Alloa. It wasn't a
:43:37. > :43:39.good first touch. Just got away from him. Dagnall still searching for
:43:40. > :44:00.that first goal for Hibernian. It is laid off, not 1 million miles
:44:01. > :44:28.away from the Irishman. Cummings was there but so too was
:44:29. > :44:32.McCallum. This was an awkward one for the goalkeeper, he had to be
:44:33. > :44:38.brave and in tricky conditions as well.
:44:39. > :44:47.Hibs have lost just once in their last 25. Phenomenal run. They have
:44:48. > :44:54.the chance to close the gap at the top of the championship as well.
:44:55. > :45:03.Here is Paul Hanlon. And it up for grave. -- hands it up.
:45:04. > :45:16.That has prevented a certain goal for the Hibs captain. They have
:45:17. > :45:24.competed well, as Livingston. The last victory was a very impressive
:45:25. > :45:33.one. They hammered St Mirren 4-1. Not dealt with at all.
:45:34. > :45:50.White! Pressure is still on. Saved by the crossbar there. Eventually,
:45:51. > :45:55.it out for a corner by Hamlin. The goalkeeper did enough.
:45:56. > :46:09.Livingston kept the pressure on. That is unlucky. Home has not been
:46:10. > :46:14.where the heart is the Livingston this season, just one league victory
:46:15. > :46:24.here. Cummings goes for gold, it's easy for McCallum.
:46:25. > :46:34.Charlie Telfer. Miss judged by John McGinn. Can't get there. Lovely ball
:46:35. > :46:50.in here by Telfer. Trying to hold out here. They
:46:51. > :47:01.deserve at least a point from this game. Here is Darren McGregor.
:47:02. > :47:07.Decent enough hit as well. From the big defender. It's haven't done
:47:08. > :47:16.enough to warrant three point. The shape... We will... I was happy with
:47:17. > :47:21.the players, they put in a great shift and I think we could have took
:47:22. > :47:24.three points at the end. I don't think we deserved more than what we
:47:25. > :47:28.got out of the game, don't think we did enough to get three points, so
:47:29. > :47:33.from that point of view I'm glad we've got something out of the game
:47:34. > :47:41.rather than nothing. We just dipped below the level we have probably
:47:42. > :47:48.been out for a long time. I can't be too critical on them because they've
:47:49. > :47:53.been so good. Rangers dropping points. Does it have to go down as a
:47:54. > :47:56.missed opportunity for Hibs? They will kick themselves because they
:47:57. > :48:00.had a massive incentive going into the game knowing Rangers had drawn.
:48:01. > :48:07.Too many of the players didn't reach the outstanding levels they have
:48:08. > :48:13.done this season. John McGinn has turned into some player for Hibs.
:48:14. > :48:18.Could he be on the fringes of Scotland selection? He's been a big
:48:19. > :48:22.noise at U21 level. He has been discussed, he's on the radar. Couple
:48:23. > :48:29.of double-headers coming up in March. We will watch his form. We've
:48:30. > :48:37.got an eye on him. Words you impressed with his effort? He seems
:48:38. > :48:40.to have found another level, he's consistent this year. To me he is
:48:41. > :48:44.looking fitter and stronger than he has ever done, future the
:48:45. > :48:48.impressive. Big game against hearts in the Scottish Cup.
:48:49. > :48:57.Do you fancy Hibs or will Hearts be too strong? Terrific cup tie, Hibs
:48:58. > :49:02.deserved to get back in the game. A good game to watch. Hearts have a
:49:03. > :49:06.slight advantage in not playing yesterday, the game being off,
:49:07. > :49:10.energy might be higher. If it's half as good as the first game it should
:49:11. > :49:14.be a cracker. Fantastic match at Tynecastle, how do you see it going
:49:15. > :49:19.at Easter Road? I think Hibs will fancy themselves to win on the home
:49:20. > :49:23.patch. At half-time in the first leg I can see it's getting back into the
:49:24. > :49:29.match. They showed unbelievable character and desire and fighting
:49:30. > :49:33.spirit. They passed the ball around. If they show the same desire as the
:49:34. > :49:40.second half, every chance they can win. Evinced in held Rangers
:49:41. > :49:50.earlier, holding Hibs, there. -- Livingston. Can they maintain
:49:51. > :49:54.championship status? Yes. Glenn should school, Hibs will be
:49:55. > :49:55.delighted with yesterday's point because Livingston were the better
:49:56. > :49:57.side. With Hibs and Rangers
:49:58. > :49:59.both failing to win, could third place Falkirk
:50:00. > :50:00.gain some ground? They had failed to win any
:50:01. > :50:15.of their last four games ahead On a cold frosty pitch, Falkirk were
:50:16. > :50:19.clean to bee keen to bring the warm, fuzzy feeling back and Blair Austin
:50:20. > :50:32.put the Heath on Raith Rovers in the 14th minute. -- put the heat on. Lee
:50:33. > :50:37.Miller with the incisive assist. Just two minutes later, that one,
:50:38. > :50:41.fuzzy Falkirk feeling would drop in temperature by a feud agrees, Danny
:50:42. > :50:49.Rogers with a fine save from Mark Stewart. Corner kick to Raith. When
:50:50. > :50:53.the ball eventually came to the edge of the area, Blair Olveston's
:50:54. > :51:00.attempt at clearance came right back of James Kraken. And somehow
:51:01. > :51:03.slithered into the net. Smiles all around for Raith Rovers. Could
:51:04. > :51:16.Falkirk rebound from this moment of misfortune? The answer was yes.
:51:17. > :51:22.David McCracken with the header. Falkirk on a role once again. Albeit
:51:23. > :51:31.the final touch possibly coming off a Raith Rovers defender. Then it all
:51:32. > :51:36.went wrong as far as Falkirk were concerned. Benedict is with a
:51:37. > :51:43.defence winning pass. There was Mark Stewart to supply the cool finish. A
:51:44. > :51:48.replacement shirt after the player drew blood in an earlier incident.
:51:49. > :52:00.An eventful day for Kyle Benedict has ended prematurely as he lunged
:52:01. > :52:02.in an miles. A red card from the referee John Beaton. And a point
:52:03. > :52:24.shared. It's been a sticky run for Falkirk
:52:25. > :52:28.of late, can you see them making any sort of impression on Hibs and
:52:29. > :52:31.Rangers? They are well I thought they would be an where they will
:52:32. > :52:36.finish. They've done a great job. When they go into the play-offs they
:52:37. > :52:40.will be a match for anyone, it'll be a difficult game whatever against
:52:41. > :52:44.Falkirk. Good run of form right now for Falkirk but they've had a great
:52:45. > :52:48.season to this point. Can you see them bouncing back? Their
:52:49. > :52:51.consistency has been brilliant, team spirit, they have really impressed
:52:52. > :52:57.me. They will finish third in my opinion, but they've had a great
:52:58. > :53:05.season. I've not bet against them in a play-off game. Can the Saints make
:53:06. > :53:10.a last gasp dash for the play-offs was, it would have been helpful to
:53:11. > :53:13.win yesterday. I think we can but we need to put a good run together now
:53:14. > :53:18.between now and the end of the season. We've got Dumbarton at home
:53:19. > :53:24.on Saturday, which is winnable. After that some tricky games,
:53:25. > :53:26.Rangers, Hibs and Falkirk. Thank you very much indeed.
:53:27. > :53:28.If you're up at this time of night watching Sportscene
:53:29. > :53:31.on Valentine's Day, it probably says all you need to know
:53:32. > :53:40.If it's any consolation - we love you.
:53:41. > :54:31.Scotland's Grime Scene Queens have to deal with.
:54:32. > :54:35.Every single day in this job is completely different.