18/03/2017 Sportscene

Good afternoon and welcome to the show.

No referendum chat on this show but I'll be honouring my manifesto

commitment to bring you scores, reports, results,

We have not one but two keynote speakers -

They'll be debating the footballing issues of the day in the studio

and our reporters will bring us the stories of the day

We'll hear from them in a minute - after the headlines.

The lunchtime kick-off ended in a 2-0 win for Aberdeen over Hearts.

Now for the whole story of today's lunchtime match.

It was between Aberdeen in second place and fourth placed

I spoiled the surprise by telling you the score earlier, but you'll

want to know how what happened, happened so here's Liam Mcleod.

A ninth straight home win for Aberdeen for the first time since

1996. They will have seldom had an easy win over the Tynecastle team.

They should have won with a more convincing scoreline. Logan, a

superb goal to set the tone. Nicholson spurned the best chance

for the visitors just before that. They deserved nothing from this

encounter. Avlonitis's second-half mistake allowed them in for the

host's second, with Stockley sendoff for a flailing arm.

Mixu, a good win for Aberdeen. Their ninth home win on the spin. The

first time they have done that since the mid-80s? Yes, Aberdeen are very

strong, in terms of attack, and also in defence. I wasn't surprised that

they got the victory today. What I was impressed with, Aberdeen,

they're pressing game. They stopped Hearts playing. Hearts could not

cope with that. Hence they earned the right to pass the ball and

create goal-scoring opportunities. Not a bad day for Hearts, they could

drop out of fourth spot today if St Johnstone stay ahead at Motherwell?

Ian Carter and others will look at the defending and be very

disappointed with the second goal. The second goal was not much worse

than the first. To be fair, there was lots more wrong. All over the

pitch, Aberdeen were, by a good distance, the better side. They

deserve that, at least 2-0. Ian Castro's record doesn't look that

impressive, 17 games and four wins? It's not the start he wanted or

anticipated. We were talking about that earlier. When the manager goes

into the club, he has a strong philosophy, tactically, how to play.

He can confuse players to begin with, quite a bit. You get good

results, like last week, and then not so good performances, like this

week. It is up and down. In the long run, they get it right. We don't

know, because we don't know what happens on the training ground. If

there are certain, strong, specific tactics being put in place, it will

get better after the sticky start. This is just guessing and

speculating. Mixu, the idea that the players may be confused about what

style of play they are playing, the tactics, there are some confusion

among observers about what was going on when messages were being passed

from Craig Levine, to Tom Daley, and then to another coach, quotes that

Craig Levine was in the dressing room at half-time? Will they be

vexed by that? Thyme it depends, if there is an agreement between the

and director of football, whoever from upstairs, he wants as much

information as possible, nothing wrong with it. If we saw those

pictures today and they were winning, you would think, well done,

get all of the information there, everybody working together. Because

they lost, it is taken the opposite way. Also, the same thing happened

in Robbie Nielsen's time. Craig Levine is an experienced coach, an

excellent football man. He sees things. He had a pair of eyes in the

stand. Why not use it as an extra tool to get that tactical advantage?

What is the point of having a mentor if you are not letting him mentor?

Exactly. I don't think anyone minds who says what, as long as they win.

Use that, if that is possible. Great. More on that later, we will

hear from both managers. Now we can catch up on what is happening around

the country. I will start by telling you what is happening between

Rangers and Hamilton at Ibrox. It is the first for their new manager,

Pedro Caixinha. It looks good for him already. Rangers 4-0 up against

Hamilton. The first is from Emerson Hyndman. Clint Hill is making a

habit of scoring. Waghorn scored in the 55th, and the latest is from

Wallace. Let's see how it is going at St Johnstone. They are not

feeling too well at the moment, Motherwell are losing 1-2.

Motherwell managed to get an equaliser through Scott McDonald,

just before half-time. Since the interval, the home side have been

more assertive, the more aggressive in an attacking sense. They went a

second goal down to Liam Craig about ten minutes ago. St Johnstone had a

couple of chances since then to increase the scoring. As it stands,

St Johnstone will move into fourth place. Time we hit the Highlands and

find out what is happening in the Derby, Inverness at home to Ross

County. Good afternoon, Martin. It is 1-1. Richie Foran said it was a

much win today. They are doing just that, fax to a blistering opening to

the second-half, in which Greg Tansey's on target effort deflected

off Andrew Davis and found the net. It was Nellie two after that, but

the header wasn't on target. Tansey went close again. Then a long-range,

before Billy Mackay struck the bar, which would have killed the game.

County should have been on illegal to leave Baku even terms. Craig

Curran, all the time in the world, six yards out, screwed his header

wide. As it stands, it seems like a relegation battle awaits county,

with Inverness on the up at the right time.

To 18 just inside the top six, Kilmarnock against Partick Thistle.

Partick Thistle look like bolstering their chances of a top six finish, a

goal by Erskine after 73 minutes. Kilmarnock enjoy the better of the

first half. Two or three good chances. In the early part of the

second period, Thistle have turned it around. They hit the crossbar on

two occasions, Lawless and Barton, before Erskine slotted in a shot.

Championship leaders Hibs are keeping Pat Nevin on the edge of

their seat. They are at home to Dumbarton. 14,000 fans on the edge

of their seats. It is now 2-2. The visitors taking the lead with a

penalty, nine minutes before half-time. The equaliser, coming

courtesy of an own goal from Daniel Harvey. Robert Thompson, with a

lovely shot. James Keatings had a chance to equalise. Martin has since

sinned for Dumbarton, he dropped the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box.

Martin Boyle was there too nodded over the goalkeeper. Crawling over

the line. What a game. 2-2. Deep breaths, relax, enjoy. It's never

been easy for Hibs. Not doing particularly well today, but a point

would not be the end of the world? I think they would be disappointed,

but it would not be the end of the world. There is still time for Hibs

or Dumbarton to grab a winner. I feel, overall, Hibs will be

comfortable this season and get promotion. No danger of Rangers

dropping points at home to Hamilton. They hit them for six not alone

though. The new manager's first match in charge, cruising? A little

bit of a lift. They hit six against them before. That game against

Celtic made a massive difference. I think that made a difference on the

confidence of the players. You want a bounce when a new manager comes

in, they needed to win today. Consider the way the other results

are looking, it is a big one for Rangers. They want to make sure that

they can consolidate their position, where they are in the league. It is

looking good for them. We have mentioned the fact that Hearts have

slipped up. We are heading straight to the Highlands. There has been a

goal in the Highland derby. Is it for Inverness or County? An

incredible moment, it is 1-1. It is Schalk, a massive goal for County.

Expect Inverness to throw everything at this. 1-1. I think it is the

police you need if Schalk has stuck a dagger into his heart, I missed

that. It could be a very important goal? Absolutely, the way the match

has gone, Cali Thistle had so many chances. A point would be all right,

on the face of it, if Accies are losing? You're desperate to win this

game, it gives you a bit of breathing space. There was a Miss by

Curran, I thought that was their chance, but they've gone back, and

Schalk has done very well for them. He scores important goals and he is

always a danger. But what is going right to the death. A good game. I

thought it was a well played game, pretty fairly played. I couldn't

call it now. Mixu, could you call St Johnstone? A big win for Saints and

they would go up to fourth? Motherwell have played well. Had

loads of chances. Hit the bar, had close calls on a few occasions but

St Johnstone are leading two-one. They've taken their chances.

Fantastic two goals made a difference. Motherwell defensively a

bit frail again today, Path? Maybe, but I would agree, the fact they

created probably more and better chances. Scott taken one, another

one he didn't take and he was furious with himself. We know's good

player. His second goal, the half-volley was absolutely

fantastic. However, more information coming.

Well done, Pat. We will get back to you, Mick. There's been a goal at

Rugby Park. Do tell, John. Things level here at Rugby Park with three

minutes remaining. There was loads of pressure around the This is

thistle goal area, couldn't get it clear and 25 yards out it was

knocked in. What were you going to say? I was going to say about St

Johnstone. Their mentality is so strong and they play their system,

very simple system, so well and powerful. Even if an opponent plays

well against them, they rely on their usual tried and trusted

methods and style of play and get results. Fantastic. Kilmarnock,

Connor Salmond scored. Only got up with for Hearts. He needed to score

today. There were missed chances in the first half. Chelsea have just

scored there, that's a big goal in the English Premier League, as well.

For Salmon it's a big win. When you look at the results coming through

it underlines how tight it is at the bottom of the league and what a

difference one goal can make. Inverness and Ross 1-1, as well. The

Killy Thistle match is interesting. If Thistle win this game they would

have one foot in the top six already. Now it's interesting.

They've lost a late goal. John Barnes said the last kick was a

header. They were 1-0 up they've lost. They've done the same. Dnt

strike me as if they're tiring. Sometimes you get unlucky. It

happens lots, you think that's a team that's tired and losing

concentration. They didn't look like that to me. They were maybe holding

on a little bit. You have that little bit of an edge. You hold on

to it and naturally just fall back a little and that seems to have been

what's happened. Also the opponent throws maybe an extra player

forward, tryings to get that winner. That's the way it goes. Lots of

interesting scores in the Championship, Pat. Not least of

which is the Hibs and Dunbaren to. Down to the bottom of the table,

second bottom Ayr United one up to Dunfermline. It's a shock. Ayr have

been having a tough time. United's scores, just been beaten or getting

some draws. I felt really unlucky, I mean, McCall is one of my favourite

managers anyway, he is great to listen to and speaks intelligently

and knows the game well. To be fair, looking at them just now I think

it's been unfortunate for them because he is getting the best you

just about can get out of that side. 1-0. Still a bit tight. Raith Rovers

up. Dundee having a troublesome spell at the moment. They're still

hanging on to fourth spot. Might they be in danger of dropping out of

the play-offs or have they a cushion? It helps Queens are not

doing well today. Dundee having a poor spell at the moment. That's the

way the season goes. You have good spells, poor spells. They have a

poor one at the moment. Good for Raith Rovers and important victory

because down where Raith Rovers are, you know, there's not too much

breathing space there. So very important victory if they manage to

hold on. To the end of the season, the business end of the season in

the Championship and some clubs are waking up. Yeah, well, you have a

fight, you are fighting for your lives. St Mirren, massive changes

Jack has made. Is it ten players brought in. They seem to have done

everything right when they brought them in, the win against Hibs was a

big one, as well. No lack of confidence with St Mirren there.

Having said that, I mean, although they're a lot of points between top

and bottom I don't think quality-wise there is a massive

between top and bottom of that league especially when you see St

Mirren getting a little bit of a run. We talk about division being an

extraordinarily interesting division, it is because anyone can

be in it. I tell you what, we will stay in the Championship, it's

full-time at Easter Road with Hibs and Dunbaren to. How did it finish?

Hibs 2, Dumbarton 2. A crowd of over 14,000, they received their money's

worth this afternoon. The visitors in front through Nade in the first

half, scoring from the spot after a needless challenge by Barkley on

Sterling. A slice of fortune for Hibs coming from the equaliser.

McGinn with a cross. Harvey in trying to clear the ball could only

turn the ball into the back of the net. At that point you would have

expected Hibs to drive forward however Dumbarton took the lead. A

wonderful shot 22 -- 22 yards out. A brilliant save in the Dumbarton

goal. Saved from the penalty kick. Hibs equalised and the goalkeeper

dropped the ball at the edge of the box. Boyle with a header over the

line. Hibs threw the kitchen sink and everything else at Dumbarton in

the last five minutes but couldn't snatch what would have been ap

winner. Both teams applauded off the pitch. It finished 2-2. Thanks,

Brian. Let's head to the Premier League and Rugby Park. Kilmarnock

and Partick Thistle has reached its conclusion. We should have expected

it with six of the previous nine meetings between these sides having

been drawn, we should have expected this close encounter. It proved so.

Partick Thistle the lead in the 73rd minute with a left foot strike which

beat the Kilmarnock goalkeeper but four minutes from the end it was

Connor Sammon who levelled with a 25-yard effort to ensure it's a

point each here at Rugby Park. Both sides pushing for the top six.

Partick Thistle remain there. But it's a vital point for Killie as

they try to stay away from the fringes of of this relegation

dogfight. On to the fringes of that relegation

dogfight, that's where we find Motherwell. Today they were at home

to St Johnstone. Over to riched a. Yes, another win on the road. Opened

the scoring through Craig and got a second in the second half through

the same player with a shot from a tight angle. In between they soaked

up a lot of pressure defending heavily in the second half.

Motherwell equalised before the break through McDonald. They threw a

lot of attacks at the visitors in the second half. Ryan Bowman even

hitting the post late on. St Johnstone lifted into fourth place

with a victory and all but secure as position in the top six.

It's all over in Inverness. Martin, did it finish all square? It did,

1-1, truly incredible finishing. Sharp's late effort rescuing a

crucial point for the side and handing at the same time a

significant blow to Ritchie Forman. Tansey again with a free kick and a

powerful long range effort but it looked like MacKay would kill the

game with a close range shot that agonisingly clipped the bar. Curran

looked like being County's culprit. An Ned I didn't know miss from six

yards with a header. -- an incredible miss from six yards with

a header. Full-time here, 1-1. It's full-time now at Ibrox. Rangers

at home to Hamilton this afternoon. Convincing win for Rangers. 4-0

winners over Hamilton. A first win then for Pedrow. Back to

the Championship. Queen of the South and St Mirren, how did it pan out?

What a result it was for St Mirren. The first half it belonged to Queen

of the South in terms of possession of the ball and chances. Queens

dominating for long periods. Incredibly it was a cross finding

the back post area about 15 yards out to drill home with a quality

strike to give St Mirren a lead. That will give St Mirren the

confidence that was lacking in the first period. They doubled their

lead nine minutes into the second half. It was a lively Morgan down

the left side who made his way into the box of the he was bundled over

by Mercer. It was Loy showing the confidence to step up to take the

spot kick to calmly slot home. Queens, outplayed at this point but

rallied to the closing stages going close but it was not to be. St

Mirren picked up another great three points in their pursuit of

Championship survival. It finished Queen of the South 0, St Mirren 2.

Now Dunfermline and Ayr United. Doherty powered a header from the

corner. It snuck across the goalline. That emboldened Ayr and

then two good saves in quick succession. Dunfermline started

really strongly. They continued into the second half. A fine chance

squandered on 68 minutes. Michael Paignton then headed a ball straight

at the keeper from a good goal-scoring position. Dunfermline

fought for the equaliser. Ayr weathered releaptless pressure to

take three huge points. Time to hear from Kenny Crawford

watching championship action, this time Raith Rovers and Dundee United.

Yes, it finished here Raith Rovers 2, Dundee United 1. Their fifth

consecutive league match without a win for Dundee. The problems mount

for the manager who used to be manager here at Raith Rovers. Bar

put Rovers ahead when he headed in a free kick on 41 minutes. Raith's

lead was extended by Ryan Hardy's low left-footed finish four minutes

into the second half. Raith had chances to make it 3-0 but it was

Dundee to struggle to create but did pull one back on 81 minutes through

Simon Murray. His 12th goal of the season. A neat finish in a crowded

penalty box. It provided hope for the visitors. But they couldn't make

that materialise into a leveller. Raith Rovers went on to it hit the

post but they hng on to get their second win in three games and Raith

Rovers jump to 7th in the Championship table. Time before the

classified round-up to mull over one or two issues. We spoke about

Rangers picking up points today. Hamilton dropped to the bottom of

the table and now conceded in the last three matches, even I can work

this out, 14 goals, Pat. You don't want to be hitting that form at this

point in the season. Everyone battling in there. They are big

important late goals today but there was no hope for them because they

were 4-0 down. It is the hammerings that are happening now and again.

They can be dispiriting a little bit. Playing against the likes of

Rangers or Celtic, sometimes that will happen, maybe even Aberdeen at

their best that will happen now and again. But once you are in that

bottom position you need to have a fight, you need to have a battle.

They will battle. We know they'll do that. But you get a horrible feeling

they're going to have to do a lot of good stuff at home and obviously on

their own pitch they feel more comfortable. Inverness move up a

place today but they're level on points at the bottom. Hopefully we

will hear from Ritchie but he will be disappointed. Yeah, they played

well today. They created enough today to win the match. They've got

the momentum now. They've had some positive results recently and other

than totally opposite to the Hamilton, so I have a funny feeling

that they'll climb up, so it will be interesting end to the season.

Momentum for Caley Thistle. Inert why now for Motherwell. They're

flirting with the bottom two spots. Every now and again you see a team

and you look at the team and the players and the goal scorers and you

think they're far too good. They should be able to do it. That's what

I feel about Motherwell now. If they've players who can score goals.

Pearson will come on as a substitute. They're very good

players. But you are right, they're down in there, there is a battle

going on. Honestly, I couldn't even begin to guess who I think is going

to go down now because there was a period of time when you probably

thought five different teams at five different times. Next week it will

be totally different. I think the deciding matches are

going to be played in the bottom six, you know, who gets relegation.

I don't think it will be decided before that. It will be very

exciting. Welcome at the topic is not that exciting. I am now going to

do the classified results, and then plenty more chat in the last 30

minutes of the show. Let's go to the classified round-up.

Time for a look at the league tables in the Scottish Championship.

Premiership, indeed. In the Championship, Hibs stay at

the top and seven points clear of Falkirk.

Exciting stuff at the bottom, wins for both St Mirren and Ayr United.

In the English Premier League, let me work this out... Chelsea are 13

points clear at the top. Well done, your faces lit up with delight at

that. Sunderland picked up a point today

at home to Burnley, but they remain at the foot of the table, two behind

Middlesbrough and four behind third bottom Hull City.

Newcastle United are just one point ahead of Brighton, but the -- they

have a game in hand. Right, as I mentioned earlier, a

hugely significant match in the Championship is imminent, and so is

our reporter, Charlie. He is with the home side, who are second, about

to play Morton in third. Is excitement building? Yes,

anticipation for what could be the best game of the day. Second against

third. This one really does promise much. Falkirk are in great form,

unbeaten in nine. Morton are in terrific form. They have two

exceptional managers, both of whom like playing football. There is a

decent crowd growing. A good pitch, as it always is, because it is

artificial. This could really be a good game. Easy for Peter Houston,

he sticks with the same team that beat Ayr United. Jim Duffy is forced

into a couple of changes, Michael Doyle is out altogether, Tidser is

dropped to the bench. As I say, the results have gone for Falkirk and

Morton this afternoon. This could be a really good match. It is a long

time since I have had a good Saturday night out in Falkirk, that

might change soon. Don't be heading out after the game, that is for

sure. That is one to look forward to. Falkirk, should they win that,

they go onto 51 points, four behind Hibs at the top? Yes, they have a

good chance, and plenty of motivation in both Falkirk and

Morton. At the moment, it is still possible to catch Hibs. It will be

an exciting match. Will it be uppermost in their mind, catching

Hibs? A while ago it looked impossible, now it looks feasible?

Looks feasible because Hibs have studied a view times. There have

been games where they have been playing well, but not getting three

points. One win in six in the Championship, that is relegation

form! Not quite, you are pushing it there. But they are not running away

with it. But teams should not run away with that, because there are no

easy games in that division. Falkirk and Morton, let's be honest, not to

write them off, the expectation was Dundee United and Hibs. That is what

everybody was watching for. But Falkirk and Morton had been in

fantastic form. When Hibs have struggled this season, not only

Hibs, but quite many teams, when they set their stall out to sit

tight and defend with a compact defence, that is how teams approach

it when they play Hibs. Hibs have excellent players, they pass the

ball well. If you are open, they will punish you. They struggled

because of that. Then counterattack, the longer the game goes, Hibs put

players forward Sam that leaves gaps behind, counterattack, suddenly you

are 1-0 down. It is because they are seen as the big team, and the

expectation is there, if they miss a penalty, they almost always get more

opportunities than the opposition, exactly as Mixu is saying. Teams are

playing for that, they want the odd chance or break. Because Hibs have

committed 70 players forward, it is kind of the Hibs way. That is the

way I want to see them winning. Let's dip our toes in the waters of

the English Premier League. West Brom against Arsenal, the lunchtime

kick-off. That was watched by Martin Fisher. The start of play, a hired

aircraft went overhead with a banner proclaiming Arsene Wenger out. By

the end, the placards were unveiled in the away end. This was Arsenal's

fourth Premier League defeat in five games. Apart from Sanchez, few

players looked up to it. Poor marking allowed Craig Dawson to give

Albion and early lead. Although Sanchez soon equalised, for all of

their possession, they created little. In contrast, West Brom were

always a danger on the counterattack will stop Hal Robson-Kanu, restoring

the advantage from one such break, before another corner brought

another goal and another for Dawson. He rose above statuesque Arsenal

defenders. It was described as a game Arsenal had to win. Having lost

it, the gap to fourth spot looks wider than ever. What will that mean

for Arsene Wenger's future? I will put that question to you. We don't

know definitively what will happen, what do you think is likely to

happen? It is exactly what we said there, counterattacking, against

Arsenal, who keep the ball, pass the ball well, loads of possession.

Someone like West Brom, Tony Pulis, master of tactics, counterattacking,

set pieces, they scored two set piece goals, not a surprise when you

talk about Tony Pulis's side. It is not easy for big teams to play

against so-called lesser teams. Because of the tight defence, and

then counterattacking, then you have a really powerful player for set

pieces, these results can happen. Chelsea, way to Stoke City this

afternoon. Joy for Chelsea, despair for Stoke. Brilliant drama, you have

to say, for the neutral. For so long, it looked like Mark Hughes

would frustrate the club he used to play for once again. These two were

locked at 1-1 heading into the final five minutes. Jon Walters first half

penalty cancelled out Willian's fortuitous free kick. But Gary

Cahill, before a corner, capitalised on defensive confusion in the Stoke

ranks after Luiz's header was saved. He smashed it past Grant for his

fourth of the season. Heartbreak for Mark Hughes. The Stoke fans here,

also. Chelsea march on, their unbeaten run continues and they

remain ten points clear at the top of the Premier League. Cheered you

up after that Hibs result, another win for Chelsea. 13 points clear at

the top of the table? Cahill scoring the goal should not surprise people

who have watched Chelsea over the years. You look at the likes of John

Terry, Lou -- Luiz putting in the header, they look unstoppable at the

moment. Arguably, it was their trickiest game between now and the

end of the season. It is hard to see them slipping up. Tricky, but they

had 20 goal efforts, against Stoke's five. They have good goal-scorers,

from defence, midfield and attack. They will always score. The way they

played a system, switch it from one side to the other, to the wingbacks,

that are really high, it seems difficult to block a defence against

them because of their but width. A routine 4-0 victory against Hull.

There were never really troubled asset culvert Lewin tapped in his

first goal for the club. -- after their teenager scored his first

goal. Valencia repaid the favour to Lukaku, and he raced clear to score

his 21st of the season. He got another one at the death, rounded

the keeper to score. Another one for Hull's survival hopes. What a blow

this would be for Everton if they were to lose Lukaku. West Ham were

at home to Leicester this afternoon. Unbelievable match. For West Ham

fans they came close to grabbing an equaliser late on but poor finishing

and excellent goalkeeping from Schmeichel has given Leicester their

first away win of the season. The visitors had a two goal lead early

doors but suspect defending in the West Ham back line on both occasions

helped them out. A free kick got West Ham back in it but Vardy poked

home before half-time for Leicester's third. Ayew reduced the

arrears again. Leicester did just enough to continue their winning

streak under Craig Shakespeare. The Leicester revival continues. You saw

them mid week in the flesh, in the Champions League. A good result mid

week. If anybody has the momentum at the moment it's Leicester. The

result was, Wednesday against Seville they didn't play that well

but Schmeichel like we heard again, he was excellent again today. You

know, saved a penalty and other great saves. They have a top, top

quality keeper there. When you score two goals in the opening six

minutes... Eases the pressure a bit. Absolutely. They started well.

That's a sign of confidence. They're carrying on from that European

match, that confidence is there. Quick start, fast pass, score goals.

But certainly Schmeichel, you know, the form he is in at the moment and

his quality, keeps them alive. Back to all matters Scottish. Because

Aberdeen beat Hearts today Celtic won't be able to win the title

tomorrow. They will, however, be able to re-establish a 25-point lead

at the top of the table. To do that they'll need to beat Dundee. You can

follow the action in Sportsound at midday. Plenty of incentive there.

Celtic can't win the title, they will win the title, it won't be

tomorrow, they're away to Dundee. After having dropped points last

week at home to Rangers. To be honest that's at the froer front of

a lot of people's minds. Rangers had a good day. Having said that, let's

look at the wider sense. They're miles ahead, not just points, but

play, as well. They're getting great performances out of players who

weren't doing as well, Armstrong more than anyone else. You have to

applaud Rangers for coming back into it. Looking at what Celtic have done

this season, by the way the free scoring Clint scores as well. We

were team-mates. Realistically if you look at the way Celtic went

through the season, a number of people asked me did Brendan Rodgers

make mistakes during the game? Forget about that, he has made so

many correct decisions this season and that's not just tactics, not

just in the right people, but also bringing the right people in, as

well, it's hard to say a negative thing about them. Celtic dropped

points last week but Dundee dropped even more, they lost against St

Johnstone. Paul Hartly Manager of the Month for February. March has

been miserable so far. Two defeats including this one. I don't expect

Celtic to have it easy tomorrow. Dundee will battle. They will defend

with numbers. They use the counterattacking style of play. So,

you know, wot won't be easy for Celtic tomorrow. Obviously Celtic

like Pat mentioned are so much better than everybody else this

season. They probably will get a victory again but won't be easy. It

wasn't particularly easy for Celtic when they played Dundee at Celtic

Park earlier. They won the match. 2-1. But Dundee played well. By the

way what a brilliant goal that was, one of the best of the seasons, he

makes it look easy. I don't suspect it will be easy but I don't think a

lot of people will be betting on Dundee to win this. They don't often

have two dull games in a row. They usually, if they have a quiet game,

even if it's a game they win, and sneak a win, they go on a good game

the next. Yeah, I don't think they're in any great danger. They've

every possibility that they could maybe even push towards the top six

this season. They would love to get a result. But in the end Celtic play

at their best, we all know, quite simply Celtic will win this game if

they play at their best. Paul Hartly knows that, Brendan Rodgers knows

that, and they're just hoping they don't play to their best. Last week

everybody said they would win. Both going for Celtic wins. 100%. Time to

hear from managers, coaches, maybe even an interim manager, as well. We

will start with the post-match reaction from that match when

Aberdeen beat Hearts. First the boss of Aberdeen. It's great as a manager

when you see a team relentless with their work. I thought we spoke

before the game about those middle two-thirds of being aggressive and

making the game go our way, pressing the life out of them and I thought

we did that. I didn't think Hearts could cope with that. It's a

situation where Aberdeen have shown they're in a position where they're

stronger, more routined and across the 90 minutes managed to take the

victory. Inside that there were some positive parts to our play. We had

some opportunities and of course that comes down to clinical

finishing, sometimes clinical defending and the ruthlessness, and

quickness and dealing with things and we suffered through that today.

What was your take on the sending off? I haven't seen it again. But

from what I am told by one or two of the staff that have seen it, I think

there is a foul initially on Jaden. Then it slows him down. He can't put

pressure on the defender then. He turns around and I think he is

caught, I think it's the palm of his hand. And the boy's face. So I think

from maybe the referee's interpreted it, maybe he has seen it as a bit

more than that. I think it's frustration he has been fouled. You

could perhaps understand why fans are asking questions about the

director of football and why he is in the dressing room at half-time.

Is he giving advice and coaching advice? I think one of the things

you probably have to look at is there is not much space. You are

searching for something. We work in a very, very clear way. So he is not

providing coaching advice is that what you are saying? That's my job.

I have to get my dictionary out! An interesting phrase was Aberdeen were

stronger and more routined. Yeah, there are certain pieces of jargon

that happen within the coaching fra ternities. That's one of the ones

just now. Does that mean they know what they're doing? Yeah, they're

organised. We all use organised too much and structured too much. They

do know what they're doing. They're a good side. They're having a

brilliant run. But it was a hard day, a bad day for Hearts. The fact

they've dropped down and are now in that position just now is really

difficult for them. It's difficult to get momentum back because they've

lost it. We can hear now from Jim McIntyre, the Ross County boss after

his side's draw away in the highland derby. How valuable was Alex Sharp's

goal there? It's the least we deserved, we put so much into the

game. We were the better side in the first half. Without actually getting

on the end of some good play. The referee's got to give a penalty on

Alex. He says he doesn't see it, so that's disappointing. The throw-in

that led to their goal is also a throw-in. So big decisions have went

the wrong way. We should still defend better, I am not blaming for

that, we should clear the ball. That gave Inverness that lift and we said

to players at half-time you have done so much well but we knew

Inverness would probably get a rocket and come out all guns blazing

and they had a good period in that second half also. In the period up

to half-time you looked to get on top. Naismith was good, sharp very

close to getting one, did you feel you would kick on from there? Yeah,

we did. We told players to keep doing what you are doing and can we

improve that final bit of quality that will get us the goal? I thought

the reaction was great to go behind, obviously goals change games, it

gave Inverness that lift for ten, 15 minutes. We had to weather the storm

and we have counterattack and they've hit the bar and had a free

kick, as well. But we have come back into it. We have made a brilliant

chance with Craig, he should score, thought he was magnificent giving us

everything he had and really putting them under pressure. Again just the

spirit and the side, boys coming out, I thought the three boys that

came off the bench done fantastically well and made an

impact. That's what you need. Because we put so much into it and

the way it's been going for us lately it's easy to feel sorry for

yourself but whenever we dug in and I felt we finished the game really

strengthly. Feels a wee bit hard done by with a couple of refereeing

decisions but as he points out can't blame the ref for that Thistle goal.

No, I think it's probably diverting there how the match went but I think

Ross County overall have a little hangover from last season. They had

a fabulous season, top six, won the League Cup. This season they've

struggled to those standards and they're only four points from

safety. So, hasn't been positive season for them but I do feel that

the players they have, they should have enough to avoid the straight

relegation play-off spot. You never know, because Caley Thistle are

getting stronger. Caley Thistle are in that play-off spot at the moment.

After today's match their manager spoke to Martin. Based on your

second half performance in particular I am sure you probably

felt that you deserve more out of that. Yeah. Yeah, obviously MacKay

hit the crossbar, and we dominated at least half an hour of the second

half. Obviously feels like a bit of a defeat. But I will try and flip

that and we are a point better off than before the game. Proud of the

lads, thought they were excellent the second half, shape was good, we

looked solid and dealt with a lot of crosses into the box. Disappointed

with the goal we conceded. But all in all, I thought the boys done very

well. You asked for aggression today and we talked before the game about

balancing that with the right sort of mental attitude. You seemed to

get that. Yeah, particularly in the second half. It was a tense affair

the first half, County had more possession than us. Once we started

to play, causing them all sorts of problems, Ross was excellent for us,

leading, driving us forward. All in all, it's a very good performance.

Disappointing not to get the three points. He has come a long way since

lambasting his players for their performances. Now he seems to be

getting what he wants out of them. Yeah, trying absolutely anything

that can work, especially down at the bottom you have to try nuclear

options now and again. He has tried that. To be honest he has a reaction

a few times. It's painful, one week a late goal and next week you lose

two points with a late goal. You don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Don't forget the team jumping out at me today, St Johnstone. Winning

today at Motherwell, they now find themselves in the position they are

in fourth place above Hearts. How do they keep doing it? A question we

always ask on this programme just about every week. But our time this

afternoon is rapidly drawing to a close.

So we will bid you good night after a wee reminder

Please don't forget to watch the highlights show tomorrow at six

If you do you can see it at 11:40 on BBC One in HD.

You can tune it to Off the Ball's Saturday Supplement

Stuart and Tam's take on the day's events.

Thanks to our guests Pat and Mixu, Messrs Nevin and Mr Paatelainen.

The alternative spirit of 6 Music comes to Glasgow,

MasterChef is back, to find the country's best home chef.