19/01/2014 Sportscene

good evening and welcome to Sportscene. Not a weekend goes by

without some sort of drama and tonight is no different. Plenty of

goals as well and we are joined by someone who scored one or two in his

time. Kris Boyd, you know what he can do. Kris Boyd scores.

Goal-scorer extraordinaire, Kris Boyd joins Michael Stuart and myself

this evening. We start in Perthshire, Hearts the visitors at

St Johnstone. It would be an incident filled this at -- afternoon

to say the least. Donald under pressure. Carrick taken

down by Steven Anderson. A decision for the referee. The referee wonders

over with a red card in his hand. Denying a goal-scoring opportunity.

Davidson fell awkwardly and then got the ball thumped off his head. The

player knows he is hurt and will have to go off. That is the signal

immediately to the bench. It is a sad end to the afternoon for Murray

Davidson. The ball has gone out for a goal kick. The referee has said

penalty! It is a yellow card for Kevin McHattie you cannot believe

it. The referee said it is a penalty. It looks harsh. Stephen Mae

steps up. Scores. Tried to get away from McGowan.

Hearts simply couldn't get it clear. Danny Wilson was back. It may have

got away from him, the goalkeeper did enough initially.

Nice ball in. Carrick! Hearts are back in it. Dale Carrick scoring his

first Hearts goal. He carries the ball past Alan Mannus.

There is a shout for handball. And again, the referee has pointed to

the spot. Hearts are furious. That is really soft. Stephen Mae, his

second hat-trick of the season. Took it away past Jamie MacDonald and

celebrate in style. Soft penalty. Carrick was taken down. Miller ran

into his back and the referee has said no. Sam Nicholson almost scored

here. A good save from Alan Mannus. Hearts are still pressing.

Nicholson, the second time he gets it in. With a minute to play, there

is all sorts going on in the back of the net. Frazer Wright is on the

ground. More players are joining in. Stevenson and Alan Mannus will not

let go of each other. There is a coming together of heads in front of

the referee. As goals go, it was messy. Nicholson's first four

Hearts. What will the referee do? Ryan Stevenson is after. That is a

blow for Hearts, he will miss the next game. Alan Mannus is bringing

brought over. If Alan Mannus is off, somebody will have to to go in goal.

He has been sent off. What an end to this game. Patterson, off the bar!

Corner. Carrick was denied that time. Hearts saying it should have

been a penalty. The goalkeeper could do nothing. It did come off the arm

of Frazer Wright. Danny Wilson! Three apiece in Perth and Danny

Wilson scores. What an unbelievable end. The game itself had everything,

sending of. Absolutely delighted with the spirit we showed. We will

definitely appeal the Anderson one. It has to be a goal-scoring

opportunity and the lad has taken a touch to go even wider than he was.

We will have a look at that and possibly appeal that one. That was

uneventful. Hearts assistant manager Billy Brown, was supposed to be his

last match. Turns out he will be staying on until the end of the

month. Chaos on the pitch pretty much, Michael. Is it chaos off the

field at Tynecastle as well? Mixed messages coming out. They released a

statement Billy was leaving after the St Johnstone game. What it

highlights is the fact that too many chiefs and not enough Indians at the

club at the moment. You have the administrator, the managing

director, director of football. The sooner it gets resolved the better.

They need leadership and they need to move forward. At the moment it is

a mess. It was a busy afternoon. You saw plenty of goal-scoring

opportunities yourself in your career. Was this a clear

goal-scoring opportunity? I don't think so. Could Frazer Wright catch

him? He would definitely have had a chance, but I don't think it is a

red card from where it was on the pitch. It was so far out, it was a

harsh decision to brandish a red card. Especially it being so early

in the game. I don't think there was any great malice in the tackle. It

was a busy day for the referee. Let's look at a few other

decisions, Michael? At best there was maybe a small shirt pull which

would have been outside the box. But it's not even a foul. But if it

was, it was outside the box. Never danger of a penalty. Hearts have had

a few this season. This is another one of harsh decisions. I remember

Jimmy Hamilton getting smacked in the face with the ball and they got

a penalty against them. A great day for Stevie May? Yes, he scrambled

the other one over the line. He definitely has got himself amongst

the goals this season. At the end, chaos is the only word that comes to

mind? Give credit to Hearts, it is a difficult season. That can play on

their minds and drag them down. But you have to show a bit of spirit to

fight back. This was in the goalmouth. Did the referee get this

right? Hands are raised, but it is easier to say whose hands are not

raised. It was incredible. 90 minutes on the clock, to send them

off was not the best decision. It was an incredible game, Michael? It

was. A great header for Danny Wilson. It's somebody was on the

post, I am an advocate of getting two men on the post. It St Johnstone

hap that they would have taken three points. A courageous point in the

end from Hearts? Yes, they have battled back. They have fought all

the way and managed to get a great point. Plenty of entertainment and

spirit on show. It had been at dismal first half of the season for

Ross County. Three games played, two wins and a draw plus a plethora of

new signings to galvanise the side. All six of the new signings were in

the ranks for playing against Dundee United. Dundee United travelled

north without a player who was given a holiday to avoid burn-out. They

went into this game without a win in five matches. Once upon a time

Dundee United were in form. In attack they are still a potency. The

former Falkirk striker unable to connect. At the other end, the

goalkeeper got his gloves to the free kick of Graham Carey. And his

cultured left foot was in evidence again setting up this shot. Again,

the goalkeeper to the rescue. Ross County looked like a club reborn in

2014. Many new face the starting line-up and none have made more of

an impact than the man online from Cardiff City 13 county 1-0 up just

before half-time. A lovely cross. United's defence found wanting. It

was in much better soon after. But Ryan McClane's effort was ruled out

for offside. In the second half, the two new county additions showed

their credentials. Not a bad way to announce your arrival will stop --.

With players of the quality of Filip Kiss, who knows what Ross County can

achieve in 2014? A stunning strike from Filip Kiss, four goals in two

games for the Slovak. And what now for United? It is not going their

way. And that attempt was ruled out for offside. All smiles for an

increasingly confident Ross County, all France for Dundee United. -- all

frowns. It is not easy to play against Dundee United, and keep

their players quiet and when fly half zero. Just the basic stuff, the

defending at the back. I thought that the Ross County strikers

dominated us at the back. You have scored some great goals in your

time, Kris, but this strike from Filip Kiss takes some beating. It

was an unbelievable strike. He gets it out from under his feet quickly,

and gets it away. Are you surprised that Ross County have got a player

of his quality? He played most games in The Championship for Cardiff last

season. It is a great signing. Is it just a case of new signings making

all the difference? They have certainly lifted the team. We can

see all the goals here since the turn of the year. It highlights the

fact that the players this year in the Premiership, many of the teams

at the bottom of the league have been active in the transfer market,

and it is great to see these guys coming in. It is a big plus for the

players. Would you say that they lacked in quality in the first half

of the season? Ross County have had a settled team for a number of

years. And they had a big turnaround of players in the summer. I think

that was the problem. It has taken them time to settle. With the extra

quality coming in in January, it has lifted the team as a whole. I think

the cracker Mac that other just now, it has gone to be like that all

the way. We need to look at the positives and hopefully, we can stay

at the top of that many league of four, but it is going to be

difficult. -- mini league. St Mirren have been tipped by more

than a few to play a part in the play-off place scramble. The Paisley

side were away to Hibs yesterday. Commentary from John Barnes. Alan

Maybury returns to the Hibs defence. Paul Heffernan drops to the bench.

Marian Kello is back between the posts for St Mirren having recovered

from a hip injury. John McGinn returns to the side after

suspension. The little flick on, finding Kelly.

Paul McGowan, and that is in, off the goalkeeper. Paul McGowan goes

off to celebrate, to try and claim it, but it is definitely an own

goal. His shot struck the post and bounced off the goalkeeper. And St

Mirren get the breakthrough. From a bit of good fortune.

Stevenson, doing well to get away from Naismith. And the teenager

could not get up high enough to direct that ball on goal. It was

good wing play by Lewis Stevenson. Cummings again. Marian Kello was

stretching and scrambling. There was confusion between Jim Goodwin and

Marc McAusland. Cummings almost punished them. St Mirren, four games

without a victory. Towards John McGinn, Campbell is in

there again. Fine play by the on loan Newcastle man. He did well to

create the opening, to get away from Stevenson, and John McGinn touches

it back into his path, and it was clinically finished, for his second

goal for St Mirren. Thomson, with the lay-off. And

Campbell, doing well. That is 3-0, St Mirren. And we have only played

26 minutes. Steven Thompson claiming his 12th goal of the season. It was

a fine header. And the credit goes to Campbell, for the assist.

The free kick from Jim Goodwin, towards Paul McGowan. And the hooked

shot comes back off the crossbar. Then billions relieved about that.

Sink in close to goal number four. What a start they have made to this

game. -- Ben Williams relieved. Campbell, teasing Alan Maybury, cuts

it back, and then William 's gets the touch, and Paul McGowan was

watering with intent at the far post. -- watering -- loitering.

Harris, in towards Collins, and Hibs pull one goal back. The glancing

effort from James Collins. Stevenson. Nelson is in there, and

Collins has scored again. Another header! St Mirren could not defend

the free kick. Steven Thompson in the Challenger Nelson, and it broke

to Collins to claim his sixth goal of the season.

Now, the home side are looking for the equaliser. Nelson, chips it in,

there was a handball. It came off Adam Campbell, but referee Willie

Collum says no. Certainly looked like a penalty. That 90 minutes

showed you how this season has been. It was a roller-coaster. Bringing

our own identity back, three quality goals, and then hanging on in there

in the second half. We thought it was a blatant handball missed on the

far side. Willie Colon has a great view of the incident, and the boy

flicks it up onto his hand, everyone has seen it. If we had got the

penalty and scored, you would say, what a fantastic comeback. The

handball, a feature of the show tonight.

That could have been a big point for Hibernian. That is one that the

referee has not got right. He has an unobstructed view of that. It is a

handball, it is a penalty. I think it is unintentional. He's trying to

get his arm across the Hibs player, but it hits his arm and takes a big

aviation and the referee has got a clear view of it. That should have

been a penalty for Hibs. Apart from that Adam Campbell had a good game.

St Mirren had a good first half. And Campbell at the centre of lots of

good things. He does well to get in behind the defence. The Hibs defence

will be disappointed. He has done well to get inside the six yard box

and finish. I will go back to it again. Heads should have squeezed

the ball a lot faster than they did when the goal went in. Michael

Campbell has come on loan from Newcastle United. Not the first to

have trodden that path from Newcastle to St Mirren. It is paying

dividends for the Paisley club. Conor Newton has done well, and

Campbell comes in on his debut and has had a big impact on the game. He

caused chaos for the full backs all day. Terry Butcher described it as

one of the most wretched 45 minutes he has had from one of his size. You

would not want to be on the Hibs training ground tomorrow. It shows

how far they have come, Hibs, that they are disappointed. They have

lost the game at home that they have expected to win, with the run that

they have been on, that there's a big disappointment for them. But I

would not want to be going on to that training ground tomorrow. St

Mirren, how Jekyll and Hyde are they? They are very hot and cold,

but the cold streaks, they are quite long. The problem is, every time

there was a bad one, there is a bit more apathy from the fans. A good

result on Saturday and they will be looking to try and make sure that

they go on a good run, now. We'd see the end of at least one impressive

winning streak this weekend. After their week in Turkey, Celtic were

back in the league, looking for their tenth straight Premiership win

in a row. They faced a Motherwell side looking for their seventh

straight league win. The last time Stuart McCall's side had lost a

match, it was a 5-0 home defeat to Celtic back in December. Celtic have

been imperious on the domestic front and there is talk of them going

through the league season unbeaten, but could Motherwell keep their own

unbeaten streak going? I think it is bound to finish eventually. He has

been a different force altogether. A great run. We have been playing

well. You cannot beat Celtic here. You are always hopeful. Always. New

Celtic signing Stefan Johansen is not ready for his debut. That could

come next week. Darnell Fisher replaces the injured Adam Matthews.

An enforced change for Stuart McCall, with Simon Ramsden injured,

and Zane Francis-Angol coming in. Stephen Hamill goes from left to

right back. Before kick-off, a minutes applause

in memory of the former Celtic and Leeds United midfielder Bobby

Collins who sadly passed away last week. Motherwell keen to exercise

some ghosts against Celtic. A 5-0 defeat last month, and then six wins

in a row since then. Kris Commons president. -- puts it in. Another

wonderful afternoon already for Kris Commons. A candidate for player of

the year, and that is his 18th goal of the season. Great start for Neil

Lennon and his men. Motherwell, looking to respond. It was

Hutchinson with a header from the free kick and John Sutton could only

guide it into the arms of Fraser Forster. Celtic, imperious, in the

league, pretty much undefeated, only three games they have dropped points

in. James Forrest comes forward, he was unlucky. Two home games and a

trip to Dundee United, the only occasions in which Celtic have not

won in the league. A great run from Charlie Mulgrew, and he is a target.

Too close to Gunnar Nielsen. It was a lung bursting run from Charlie

Mulgrew to get on the end of that Joe Ledley cross.

That is a good ball through for Anthony Stokes, against Gunnar

Nielsen, is it a penalty? The decision by Bobby Madden. Gunnar

Nielsen could be in trouble. Anthony Stokes was through, he stumbled over

the challenge of the Faroese keeper. The yellow card only for the

Motherwell keeper. And it is Kris Commons, he makes it to. -- makes it

two. He is at it again. Edging closer to the 20-goal mark for the

season and that is as confident a penalty kick as you will see.

A goal early in the second half would help Motherwell's cause. That

was a good effort by Vigurs, it was spilled by Forster. An unorthodox

looking save this from the England international from Vigurs' shot.

Save it he did. Remarkable run of clean sheets for Celtic right now.

This is Keith Lasley. Forced it to Sutton. McFadden! What a chance.

What a chance spurned by James McFadden. That could have made all

the distance, 2-1 and it's game on again. Came off the foot of Ambrose

on its way through to McFadden. Sizing it up. And why not?! He

scored in the other two games against Motherwell this season, the

two nil win here in the autumn and the 5-0 win last month. This is

Mulgrew. Evading Carswell. He has managed to work it to Commons. On a

hat-trick remember. With a chance here. Not quite. Commons trying to

bend this in past Nielsen. Celtic haven't conceded a goal domestic

league since Aberdeen's Nile McGinn scored here in the middle of

November. A phenomenal record. This is James Forrest. It has gone in off

the post. The former Celtic captain put through his own net and the

points will be safe. And the undefeated record will be safe for

another week for the champions. It was all about the quality of Forrest

but what about the ball from Stokes to find him. It is a way by van

Dijk. Lansley. He is taken out by Stokes. This is a red card for the

Irishman. Keith Lasley was vilified here after a challenge on Adam

Matthews that put a Welshman out for a couple of months. On the receiving

end himself there. I asked them to play better at home. The overall

performance was fantastic and the zest going forward, we were

breathtaking. To -0 at half-time it would have been easy to buckle. But

it wasn't the case. I felt the second half we pushed all the way.

They caught us on the break and killed it.

Kris Commons has 18 goals already this season, is he a candidate for

player of the year? Yes he is. He links the play between Anthony

Stokes. He plays the ball through and get on the end of it like all

good strikers do. He is such a valuable player. I think maybe the

goalkeeper should have done better. He has got his goal. We have heard

him talking about wanting to stay on at Celtic and I am sure they will

want to keep him. You look for people to have an end product and he

has got that. You either set people up like that, with Stokes, splits

the defence opened but pitches them a lot of gold. You want somebody

with an end product and he has got that in abundance. A great chance

for James McFadden. If this goes in it does become a different game? I

think Izaguirre should have passed it to him first of all. James knows

himself he should have finished it. It comes at him pretty fast as well,

but the goalkeeper made himself big and he saved it. Anthony Stokes

being sent off, let's have a look at it. It was a clear sending-off.

Celtic were well in command of the match. Anthony Stokes, the picture

of innocence after that. He was very surprised to pick up the red card,

he must have been the only person not to expect that. It was

definitely a red card. The silly, late in the game, winning 3-0. Maybe

the previous from Lansley's tackle initiated it in the first place.

Keith Lasley is a bit of a pantomime villain. What you see in second

spot? I think Aberdeen will be pushed all of the way. It will be an

exciting end to the season. I think Aberdeen could probably do with

somebody to score goals. They dominate a lot of games but they

scraped over the line. It will be close. Back to the fun and games at

the bottom. Partick Thistle squandered the chance to get their

first home league win of the season last weekend and let a 3-1 lead over

Ross County slip away. Mair went into the starting line-up. Thistle

with another chance to get back home victory yesterday. This time against

Kilmarnock. Chris Johnston also played in the starting line-up and

so did Muirhead. This all were given the perfect

start after three minutes. Higginbotham with an acrobatic kick

that eluded the goalkeeper. The Kilmarnock defence failing to clear.

Craig Samson will feel he could have done better. Higginbotham had the

chance to increase Thistle's advantage. Samson redeemed himself

in the second half slowly but surely, Kilmarnock edged their way

into the game. The defence failing to clear. Kris Boyd's chance on this

occasion drifted wide of the goal. Alan Archibald's side were looking

for an elusive second goal. They came close when Jackson Evan was

dispossessed. This cross by Stephen Lawless, but Samson denied them.

Gary Fraser was next to try his luck. His shot was straight at the

keeper. Kilmarnock were struggling to find their way past the defence.

William Gros linked up with Kris Boyd. Clean through on goal. The

goalkeeper saved. The header off the line. Lee Ashcroft was the next to

have a go at the goal. His effort was tipped over. With 90 minutes on

the clock, there was a final chance for Kilmarnock. A long ball,

eventually finding its way through to William Gros. He was brought down

going on goal. No doubt in the referee's mind, a straight red card

shown to the defender. Kris Boyd with the chance to make it 13 for

the season. His shot saved, but Robbie Muirhead was on hand to knock

the rebound into the back of the net.

I think it was a fair result. We both had chances. They were probably

better in the first half we were better in the second. You have to go

and win games. We have played well but not one matches. Partick Thistle

might be on track for their first home league win of the season after

that overhead kick. Less said about the goalkeeping do better, probably.

It was going well for Thistle at that point, but they could not hold

on. They are still without a home league win this season. The

unfortunate statistics. You need a good home record if you

are going to have a successful season. It is ironic they had a good

home record last year when they won the first division. There is a

number of those games, you see those results and they have been leading.

Remember the Hearts game earlier in the season when they were 1-0 up.

And then again Ross County and yesterday against Kilmarnock. It is

all going to have an affect on their confidence. A psychological impact?

It gets to that stage, you need to see games out. Dramatic conclusion

to the match, you were at the centre of things? Let's have a look at the

action, no doubts about the penalty decision in this case? It was a

Stonewall penalty. It causes problems for the left back. What

happens here? ! A great save. Big Robbie followed it up. I said I

would get him a goal. He kept his composure and got the ball in the

back of the net. You even had the grace to pretend to celebrate the

goal? He followed up well, it was a great finish. Especially after the

start we had as well. The goalkeeper put his hands up about it in the

dressing room afterwards. It was a disappointing start, but it was a

great point for us. Any offers on the table this January window? Not

as yet. Back to the race the second spot. Aberdeen started the weekend

in that position but face the side with virtually made second spot

their own in the first part of the season. Inverness Caledonian Thistle

out for revenge. Penalty. Watson! It looks like game

over. Two changes to the Aberdeen back for

which lined up against Hibs. Inverness have Ross Draper land and

so is Gary Warren, so his place in central defence goes to Danny

Devine. Nick Ross is on the move. Billy McKay hyperlinks things

together. In from Adam Doran. The ball in the end slips behind. An

early opportunity that Caledonian Thistle. A bit of pinball in the

penalty box. Danny Williams! 1-0. Williams blasts

his first goal for Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Ahead after 22

minutes. There was no stopping this. Aaron Doran's cross was helped on by

Billy Mackay. -- Billy McKay. It is applause for Adam Smith who died at

the age of 26 after a battle with leukaemia. A good save from Jamie

Langfield. That was an important stop from the Aberdeen goalkeeper.

Ross with room to create something. Williams again. Beaten away by Jamie

Langfield. On target. Shot was blocked by Reynolds. They

are well worth their 1-0 advantage here, Inverness Cali Thistle and

could easily have been further in front.

Russell Anderson! Cannot keep the header down. It has been a matchup

Threshers, few goal-scoring opportunities for the home team. --

it has been a match of. -- precious. Willo Flood. That was a good try. He

has scored from this range in recent times. There is a former manager,

Craig Brown. So close to rounding things off

Graeme Shinnie. Wide. The big surprise about this game is that it

is going to end only 1-0 in Cali Thistle's favour. We started the

game well. Forced a lot of play from the keeper. They broke on us and

scored a good goal from their point of view. I don't think they had

enough concerted pressure after that. It was exceptional. All the

work you are doing on the training pitch is coming to the fore. I felt

all the best chances, a good half a dozen of them fell to Inverness. Bad

day at the office fit Aberdeen. He used to manage the eighth tear of

Scottish folk all. After the left back, takes a great first touch.

Unbelievable goal. Absolutely, Michael, this is what Inverness have

been doing for so long, under Terry Butcher finding these waifs and

strays over British rock wall and bringing them in? He has made a name

for himself bringing these guys in from the lower divisions in England.

You see a lot of passing and playing, you heard John Hughes

talking about that in training and now it is working. There were quite

a few of them. He is an attacking Wenger. He will want to continue the

good form he showed. How do you assess the John Hughes impact so

far? That was only his second win since coming in for Terry Butcher?

It was always going to be a difficult job but somebody to come

in. But you could see from the passage of play that Inverness have

had that the philosophy of John Hughes is getting across quickly.

And I hope he does because I have come across him a few times, and he

is one of the good guys in football. You just hope that they

will keep progressing the way that they did under Terry Butcher. Still

contenders for second spot? No. Aberdeen, are you still going with

them? It will come down to a battle between Aberdeen and Motherwell. I

thought Dundee United might have been there or thereabouts but they

have drifted away. Aberdeen and Motherwell are the two strongest

teams in the league. You would hope one of them to get the second spot

in the league. It was a bad day at the office. That is what it was.

They will get that second position in the league. So the Premiership

table looks like this, this evening. Celtic, 13 points clear at the top

of the season -- at the top of the table the two games in hand.

Inverness moved to within six points of Motherwell with a game in hand,

and St Mirren, now five point behind Hibernian, Ross County climbing to

third bottom, and Partick Thistle now occupying the play-off place,

and Hearts now 1-1 points. Goals, controversy and excitement. More of

the same next week, please. Until then, that's all from all of us at

Sportscene.