21/02/2016 Sportscene

Good evening and welcome to Sportscene.

It is unbelievable! Unbelievable! It is a spectacular ball. The shot is

an absolute beauty. Is it? It is! And it is there! What a finish. And

that is it. Scottish football may be many

things, but it's never dull. With us in the studio tonight,

it's the Sportscene Stuart dynasty - With Aberdeen's match

at Partick Thistle postponed due to a waterlogged pitch,

Celtic had the chance to open up a six-point lead at the top

of the Premiership. Inverness Caley Thistle

the visitors. Ronny Deila throws out the same 11

he started for last week's win over Ross County, resisting the

temptation to start with Patrick Roberts, who is on the bench. The

Inverness side is the one that started the win over Aberdeen.

Gordon Roberts has been looking impressive. Celtic, if they win here

and at Aberdeen they could be nine clear. That is deflected over. A

vote of confidence for Gary Mackay-Steven today from the

manager. Ronny Deila has plenty of options on the bench. He invited us,

missed by Gordon and by Warren. -- Iain Vigurs. The chance of the game

so far and it falls to skipper Gary Warren. What a mess. -- miss. That

court Fon Williams by surprise. You know what the left foot of Leigh

Griffiths can provide. It is just skipped along the ground and Fon

Williams dealt with it. Iain Vigurs has won it back off Mackay-Steven

and he has teed it up. So close again. Inverness are playing with

real confidence here in Glasgow. It is Mackay-Steven. Blocked. Celtic

have begun the second half pretty well but here comes Jordan Roberts.

Big chance. And a big save from Craig Gordon. You can't say the

Highlanders haven't have their chances. But haven't taken one of

them. Celtic probe. Mackay-Steven. 1-0! With the aid of a deflection.

Make no mistake, Celtic have been second best in this game up to this

point. This is a hammer blow, a sucker punch for Cali Thistle. It

might reinvigorate the champions. sucker punch for Cali Thistle. It

Caley Thistle. He does it again! 12 in his last ten coming into this

afternoon. And that is 31 for the season. On his weaker right hand

side and in the blink of an eye Celtic dominate 2-0. Johansen. A

very different Celtic side now, it is back with Johansen. It should

have been three. It is amazing how a game can change completely. Caley

Thistle looked like -- look like they have had the stuffing knocked

out of them. Iain Vigurs takes the corner. Scooped away, only as far as

Lewis Horner. He goes himself. That has taken a touch on its way

Lewis Horner. He goes himself. That through, Gordon suddenly dived down,

he didn't know where this was going. Nice change of pace by Patrick

Roberts. First chance for him to impress the Celtic support. The

defender is in big trouble. This is a good chance for Roberts. Put on a

plate for him by Scott Allan. Inverness getting bodies

Roberts, Christie. They saved the best to

Roberts, Christie. They saved the wonderful goal, brilliant build-up

play from the substitutes. A real lesson in how to take chances for

Caley Thistle today. We knew it would be tough against Caley Thistle

but you have to keep calm and carry on doing what you believe in and I

think we did that in the second half, we had more chances and

deserved to win. Even in defeat you can take great pride and inspiration

from the way we played because we gave as good as we got. A lot of

people were saying we are the best team they have seen

people were saying we are the best Parkhead so the club is going in the

right direction. Leigh Griffiths brings his tally for the season to

32. They extend the lead to six points. John Hughes talking about

how Inverness Caley Thistle were the better side certainly to begin with

but when you are at Celtic Park you need to take your chances. No doubt.

One get opportunities like this you have to score. That is a glaring

chance, a real sitter. Poor play from Gordon, he is unchallenged and

to miss it by such a big margin. Warren missing that, terrible. This

is a good strike, just comes off the defender and drifts wide. When you

get chances you have to take them, the first one was a sitter. Two

minutes into the second half, great ball, Roberts gets in behind and at

first it looks like maybe a bad miss but when you are again it is a

fantastic save. He lifts it and the big arm saves it. That is really

important because it could have been different if Inverness have put it

away. There has been a lot of talk about the plethora of midfield

options at Celtic. Five more on loan. We saw some fringe players

yesterday and there has been a bit of chat about how there has been a

lack of zest in the Celtic play. There was more zest yesterday. Yes,

they have got involved when they came off the bench. It is

intriguing, when you look at the substitution, Commons and Richards

were still on the bench, and maybe the three kids coming on as a sign

of the times for the next season but it certainly sparked it up a bit.

Fantastic strike by Griffiths. We have seen some of the youngsters

under Ronny Deila? If they are good enough, clearly those three players

have the ability and the talent and they bring that youthful energy and

Celtic have missed that. 32 goals for Leigh Griffiths, would you bet

against him getting to the mark? Not at all, if you take him out of the

team it is a huge mess. -- miss. Next up, nightmare

on Tannadice Street - Dundee United's horror show

of a season continued on Tuesday night as they lost 3-0

at home to Motherwell. Could the disaster movie still turn

into the Great Escape? After losing 3-0 at home to

Motherwell Mackay and Dixon dropped out of Dundee United. Hearts replace

several players. In steps Blair Spittal for Dundee United, big shout

for a penalty. But probably mainly from those supporters behind that

goal, because it was an appeal out of optimism more than anything else.

Strong words from Stephen Thompson, the United chairman this week. Scott

Fraser with the corner kick and the forward was convinced he had scored

his first goal for hearts. John Rankin with the quick free kick, in

from Spittal. A big chance to open the scoring. Another good save from

hearts keeper Alexander but the forward knows he should have been

scoring. Referee Kevin Clancy reaching into his pocket for a

yellow card, not just for that offence. He tells Jordan McGhee,

also for a series of fouls. Battling for possession, in goes Jordan

McGhee and he could be in trouble here, the young hearts are -- hearts

defender. It is a second yellow and he is off to stop five minutes

before half-time and two bookings in the space of four minutes. Payton's

pass deflected. Rankin! Just a fraction away from opening the

scoring. Can't quite believe, Rankin, this hasn't gone in. It took

a couple on its way back off the post. -- took a bobble. Fraser's

corner. There is the golden Dundee United desperately wanted. The

former West Ham man's first goal for the club and that lifts spirits

considerably around Tannadice. Booing every time John sitter

touches the ball. It drops the Jamie Walker. What a strike. Two and half

minutes after the restart and ten man hearts are back on level terms.

What a sweet strike from Jamie Walker, ripping into the roof of the

net behind Oshaniwa. Payton looking for Ryan Dow at. A chance to get

United back in front. He loses out to the bounce of the ball. It is

lobbed over Aleksandar Pantic looked back with some relief as that went

over the top. -- over Alexander and he. It is going to be a booking for

the Dundee United substitute for that challenge on Ali mosque Turk.

Rankin. Ryan Dow makes a move. Payton! Absolutely brilliant. He

could not have caught this any better, and in the 88th minute

Dundee United are back in front. A little kick out at Ozturk and

Dundee United, like Hearts, will end this with ten men.

To be played, especially first half, really pleasing. We created a lot of

chances. If the match was 3-0 at half-time, I don't think it would

have been wrong. Some occasions I wonder, I don't know, is it one of

them again? Thankfully, we got a wonderful winner in the end and

three points. We started the game, we had a couple of chances, they

did, then the referee decides to give a yellow card for a tackle that

Jordan goes in and plays the ball. give a yellow card for a tackle that

don't know what the referee thinks, but he makes the decisions, he is

don't know what the referee thinks, making the decisions, it is just

don't know what the referee thinks, that we are the ones that have to

suffer the consequences of it. The big three points for Dundee United,

suffer the consequences of it. The just how big? We

suffer the consequences of it. The of the season, Robbie

suffer the consequences of it. The happy about the sending-off

suffer the consequences of it. The it? Is this a

suffer the consequences of it. The force? And the referee is justified

to show yellow? To be honest, this is not the yellow card I would be

worried about. The first one should not have been a yellow card. This

one coming yes, not have been a yellow card. This

got the ball. The way his studs are showing, in the modern day coming

can't get away from that, especially when you have already been booked,

as harsh as when you have already been booked,

was a sense that the first yellow card was for persistent... That

first one was not even a foul for me. I have to say on the second one,

there is no doubt he gets the ball, I think it is a good tackle. I

totally understand where Robbie is coming from, but also Kevin Clancy I

think is one of the best referees, he was right behind it and I think

he sees the angle coming down on it. I can understand why he got a second

yellow, but I would be a bit peeved if I were McGee. It was a good

tackle. He would be doing very well to do this every week. 20 yards out,

no chance for Alexander in goal. There was a huge one for Dundee

United. Mick said in the interview, he was thinking it would be another

one of those days, they needed a bit of magic like that, but they need to

back it up with another result. Otherwise it becomes immaterial if

they don't go and win the next game, because that is the only they will

get out of the trouble they are in, wins back-to-back. We have seen a

fuel for storms of late with Dundee United, they need to -- a few false

dawns. It just shows how important set pieces are, they lost two goals

against Motherwell, free kick, corner, but that was a big was up.

It keeps them in there, but I heard John Rankin saying they probably

need a miracle, and he is probably right. But performances like that

can only help. Still to come on Sportscene tonight,

two big games from the Championship. St Johnstone's slump

in form has been dramatic - they hadn't won a match

since December the 5th. In fact, they hadn't won at home

since the 7th of November. Commentator this one stretching back

to the start of December, has Tommy Wright making changes again.

Motherwell crashed Dundee United in midweek. One in forced change. Wes

Fletcher replaces him. Down the line. More. Shaughnessy is there.

Get some help from Scooby. Good work from Louis Moult, working hard on

the right-hand side. McFadden with a corner, Louis Moult

with the header and he guides it by Alan Mannus. He lost his marker, Tom

Scobey. A really clever header. He opened the scoring here in August,

he does so again today. That is a clever header from Louis malt.

The corner comes in from Witherspoon, dealt with by Conor

Ripley. He finds itself in the back of the net. Just going to fall

underneath the crossbar. Craig from Scooby, back onto Wetherspoon, a bit

of space for David Weatherspoon, and he exploits it fully! He stepped to

the side and curled it past him. The goalkeeper wrong-footed, two minutes

to half-time, St Johnstone are level, a seventh of the season for

David Weatherspoon. Marvin Johnson gets it in low, looking for

Fletcher. What a good chance that was for Motherwell. He felt he

should have had a corner. Johnson's Paulin, Fletcher couldn't connect.

Well off target. Here's Hamill. Back onto Marvin Johnson, another good

ball in. Repelled. Only as far as Hamill again. Onto Johnson. Taken

down by Fisher, who is manhandled to the ground. A fairly easy free kick.

Hamill whips it in. Has only scored once today, but that one was guided

away off target, Moult. To the middle it goes. What a good chance

that was for Graham Cummings, the substitute. Just glanced it right

across goal. Conor Ripley rooted to the spot and delighted to see that

go wild. Saints with just two points in the last six league games. The

last one a home match against Kilmarnock in November. Witherspoon

plays it in, Liam Craig! That is the chance they have been looking for.

Brilliant ball in from Witherspoon, set up Liam Craig. He just couldn't

guide it on target. Good connection, looked for the corner. Here comes

Sutton, taken down by Ben Hall, slightly cynical, that will be a

yellow card for the youngster. He has impressed since coming into the

top team. Simon Lappin plays it in, Scobey is up and scores in stoppage

time! What a goal machine he has become, two in his last two home

matches. A great header, Conor Ripley with no chance, and St

Johnstone looked like they will seal all three points. It wasn't a pretty

game but we got the important winner and that shows the character of the

team. Really proud of them today. Our performance was good, dreadful

pitch to play on, we played the conditions, it was good, it was

energetic. Everything I hoped for. Not a lot of end product, of course,

but not a disastrous outcome. So a destroying defeat in the end. In

this match, set pieces were key. They were, but that is a frustration

for a manager, because not only do you work all week on scoring and

making drills to get a shot or a you also work in defending against them.

Not only corners and free kicks, throw ins as well. You look at the

Motherwell first goal. Promise eight Johnson point of view, they will be

quite happy with how the marking is. James McFadden is on the corner.

They know it will be an end to anger. Fletcher in on the

goalkeeper, sometimes teams don't put people in there. That just

allows the goalie to come and pluck it out of the air. He is a key

position, and obviously Moult, the goal-scorer, up against Scobey.

Before you go out, you know who to mark and is your role to stop them

getting an attempt on goal. But it is a good ball in from McFadden, but

just as it comes in, Scobey just gets in the wrong position there. He

is under the ball, not facing the ball, and that is just a big melee.

The fact there are so many bodies in their is one of the negatives you

would cast a man for man marking at set place. Some people go with zonal

where they just have tooth concentrate on the flight of the

old. This allows Louis Tampa to get the better of him. That is his

responsibility. He has got to do better in that position. Fu in the

end, it is a really good header by Moult. This is one of my bugbears,

if somebody is on the back post, they clear that, it is not a goal.

What you will see, that is Scobey, he knows he has lost his man, Moult.

He goes in at half-time, absolutely distraught because his man has

scored. But we will play it on. We're talking about set pieces, very

much in the round, and we are incorporating friends as well. That

was significant in terms of St Johnstone's first goal. You also

work at defending throw ins in the final third. From the onset,

Motherwell in good position, his role as ones that ball comes out of

a's Handscomb he stops the cross coming in. And then we have Louis

Laing picking up Weatherspoon. That is a fairly standard setup. The

three against two with the thrower here. I'd only like to draw your

attention that with Motherwell playing three at the back, this

becomes quite important. Normally this is your centre midfielder, as

it is, but that would be all right wide player, not your right

wingback, and the centre-half would be right. Ultimately, want to get

plays on the bed, you will see why be right. Ultimately, want to get

that is important. Yes, he is in front of Wotherspoon. As you see

when it is played back... Yes. If Louis Lange had done his job happily

and stayed with Wotherspoon, it would not have given him the space

to turn and put it in. McManus and Hall have got Maclean, they are

happy to against one. It is a minute before half-time well, lack of

concentration. Big Blue switches. He is thinking like a traditional

centre-back. If he had stayed up tight with Wotherspoon, it would not

have allowed him the space. In fairness to the lad, it is a really

good finish. But concentration, switching off at a set play, it has

done Motherwell this time. We talked about Scobey, redemption for him in

the end. That's right. From Motherwell's point of view, another

last-minute goal they have conceded. Probably two things on this,

originally you would say Michael that Motherwell are probably far too

deep. Yes, they are, this is exactly what you want, the backline up into

the shaded area here. The thing I would like to point out is that the

goalkeeper is just concentrating on the ball here. He has got to be

screaming at them to push them out to give him more space to deal with

the ball. Probably more significantly, Stevie Hamill's

position, picking up Scobey, he has got himself in a bad position. Not

facing the ball. It is about to be taken, he has got in the wrong

position. He is that desperate to keep tight with him, can't see the

ball, and as we play it on, it is a good header by Scobey. And what

would say, some people have looked at the goalie, but if Motherwell are

up on the penalty spot, the head is coming from ten yards, he has more

time to react. The header is coming from 67 yards, and we were just

highlighted. It just shows you how quickly football can change, because

probably from the first half enormous the same position history

of their rooted and gutted. Now he is scoring the winning goal. Martin

McGee described the pitch as dreadful. Would you rather play on

that pitch or an artificial surface? For me, the pitch was not great, but

you get varying degrees of grass parks, you do with Astra Tevez well.

Top flight I would rather play on grass all day long. There is not

saying that is not a place for Astroturf in the future, but at the

moment, top flight, grass all the way for me.

A new man in charge at Rugby Park - would he get off to a winning start?

A first game in charge for the new Carl Meyer neck manager Lee Clark.

After some success with Huddersfield Town he had less successful spells

at Birmingham City and Blackpool. Could he get off on the front foot

at Kilmarnock? The early signs were promising. Josh Magennis looked like

he was in the mood. Evan Holtz cleared the danger.

And there would be more menace from Magennis soon after. Dundee unable

to get the ball clear. But Holt again doing enough to fall the

Northern Ireland international, who fired into Row H or thereabouts.

Clark keen to get his point across, and Kilmarnock continued to dominate

the first time. Gary Decker with the effort over the bar. Next, a free

kick from Craig Slater, and a great save from Scott Bain, to prevent

Kevin Hall from turning into his own net.

The Kelly chances kept going -- Kilmarnock chances kept coming.

Unable to get the of this header. But he would get plenty on this one.

Nick Ross clearing off the line at the back post, as Dundee survived

again. So,

Clark, but no goal. Dundee's big chance in the first half would be

created by Greg Stuart. His pass found Rory Loy. His shot was

deflected over the bar by Lee Hodson.

0-0 the score at half-time. In the second half, Dandy set about

creating more chances. Kane Hemmings neatly shed up --

setup Paul McGowan, whose shot was blocked and life was about to get

easier for the shot stopper extraordinaire. McDonald did well to

get a strong hand and keep this shot out. With time almost up, Dundee

almost nicked it, Thomas Konrad had a header just wide of the post and

it finished 0-0. Got a bit nervy towards the end because you didn't

want a repeat of Tuesday night. Pleased that once again the

application and the desire of the players is terrific and as long as

we have that we have a great opportunity to succeed. Second half

we created good situations, could have done better, but another clean

sheet, third on the trot, and I thought our goalkeeper was

excellent. Not a bad game for a goalless draw, 20 of chances, both

managers pleased with clean sheets and both goalkeepers had good games.

I was at the game and I really enjoyed it for a goalless draw. A

really good save, he was going one way and he just moves in midair.

really good save, he was going one Terrific save, keeps them in the

game, and I think second half Dundee were the better side. It was a good

save from McDonald's. I wouldn't get too carried away, I would say it was

good, not great, if it had been in the back of the net you would've

been saying, how did he not save it? This one looked fantastic that I

would say it was good, not great, because if it ended up in the net

you would be asking questions of the goalkeeper. It looked fantastic in

the flesh but not translating into the pitches. A good game for Lee

Clark. Last time Kilmarnock lost by several to Dundee so it is progress.

I think the manager has put a good foundation in there and with Lee

Clark coming to the club they have been different since then. The

atmosphere in the place has improved, clean sheets are vital.

That is what they really need. Give them a foundation to build on so

they can get some confidence in the side.

With just one win from their last 11 matches, Hamilton Accies travelled

But they faced a Ross County side who'd beaten them twice

Ross County have captain Davies and Jimmy record back with them. Schalke

is back up front. Hamilton have a suspended player. Ross County have

only picked up one win in the last six league matches.

only picked up one win in the last always. Good save by Michael

McGovern. Good goalkeeping from McGovern. Foster. Players in the

middle. Morris couldn't get the touch, out as far as Crawford.

Crawford had the goal at his mercy. Morris clipped the goalkeeper, who

was stranded there, got a knock in the face. The ball fell back to

Crawford but he couldn't pick his spot. Forster. Davis with the

header. Schalke! That is the breakthrough for Ross County in

stoppage time at the end of the first half, the long thwarted free

kick from Davies picked out Forster and there was Schalk arriving for

his fourth goal this season. His first in the league and County are

in front. Here it is Crawford. He thought he had got away from Jamie

Reckord, who mistimed thought he had got away from Jamie

and he gets a red card. thought he had got away from Jamie

toe-poked beyond him. Jamie Reckord sees red, County down to ten men.

Crawford with the free kick, turned away superbly by Fox.

Crawford with the free kick, turned effort from Crawford. Good

goalkeeping. Corner knocked away by Boyce. Back in, there is Morris. It

just won't go for Accies. They are claiming for a handball on the goal

line. The clearance came from Paul Quinn, he knocked it against Martin

Woods, it looked as though it came off the county player's hand. That

is what Accies are incensed about. Accidental, says the referee. Lovely

reverse pass. Finding McKinnon and the shot turned away superbly by Fox

once more. Accies growing in confidence with the one-man

advantage. Good oral into the box. It has

squirmed into the corner of the net. The Accies are level and it is

Dougie Imrie popping up with the header, getting across with the

header in ahead of Foster and it is his sixth goal of the season, Imrie.

Accies get it away. Crawford. Now here it is Davies. Brought to a halt

by the challenge of Crawford, who claims he got the ball. The referee,

Greg Aitken, says there was a trip. McShane. Brilliant goal from Ian

McShane. The ten men are in front. An exquisite finish with the right

mood to put Ross County in front. I thought the boys battled manfully.

The substitutions had a big part to play as well, and they showed the

spirit in that dressing room to get a win. It was frustrating that it

was free kick after free kick, you can't do anything about the boy

putting the ball in the top corner. I couldn't be critical of the

players, second half they were fantastic. An excellent three points

in the end for Ross County with ten men, great free kick by Ian McShane.

When it is not your day it is not your day. Certainly not. The ball

comes in here, good ball in by Gordon, a lot of bodies. At first it

is a good saint by Martin Woods that there is no way the referee can see

that and I think the Accies were claiming it went over the line, so

maybe Ross County got away with one. You considered Crawford gets a nick

on that but when you watch it in real time you can see why that is

given as a free kick. It is difficulty for the Hamilton guys to

take but understandable how the referee has given that. I am sure

the Accies boys have been doing their homework, to jump or not to

jump at the free kick. -- I am not sure. They have two jump, I have

only seen it go under the ball a couple of times. Then I remembered

only seen it go under the ball a McShane had done it a month ago. It

goes under the wall, Hamilton have done their homework and decided not

to jump and he puts it in the top corner. Hugely frustrating for

Accies and they are on a poor run of form at the moment. A few worries in

terms of the play-off place? A number of teams are around the

play-off spot but in such a bad run of form you will fear for that. They

have to get out of it quickly because the longer it goes on the

more difficult it becomes. Absolutely.

The Ladbrokes Premiership table looks like this.

After their win over Hearts, Dundee United 11 points adrift.

With Rangers visiting Palmerston later this afternoon,

in-form Hibs had the chance to narrow the gap at the top -

for a while at least - against Alloa Athletic

Alan Stubbs has the luxury of making seven changes to the Hibs team that

reached the Scottish Cup quarterfinals. Keatings among those

who get their chance. The same for Alloa Athletic, this starting XI one

a precious point at home to Rangers. Kallis is on the look bench. -- the

bench. That is a great ball through for Martin Boyle, who will open the

scoring for Hibs within five minutes. Great vision from the

online Celtic youngster. Darting run into the box for Boyle, one touch to

lift it over the top of Gallacher and the second put it in the net.

Ryan Finney looks to get the ball in the box and does. What a chance for

Alloa Athletic to equalise immediately. Great ball in from the

wingback and feathering them had a massive chance to equalise. --

Hetherington had. Keatings. Perfect pass for Danny

Mayor Carmichael -- Danny Carmichael, who has his first Hibs

goal Tom and his injury torment is over. It has been tough since his

move from Queen Of The South. Very similar to the goal five minutes in.

This is five minutes from half-time and Carmichael makes it 2-0.

This is five minutes from half-time tried to get there. That would have

been one for the scrapbook for tried to get there. That would have

central defender if this had gone on. It has skimmed the net and gone

over. Carmichael, toying with Alloa Athletic. Here is Henderson, who

takes aim and isn't too far away. He deserves a goal for a masterful

midfield performance, just swerving wide of target, that one. McManus

with the free kick, a glancing header away only as far as

McCausland and that was Mitch Megginson and his shot took a

deflection, took an awkward bounce as well in front of the keeper, Marx

Oxley -- Mark Oxley, and ended up being a really good save. Bracing

away is Henderson. Always aware of what is happening around the back.

McGinn on who has had an impact since coming off the bench. Great

ball, Henderson. Martin Boyle scores again, rounding off a very

satisfactory afternoon for Hibs. Two goals for Boyle and it is three for

Hibs and Alan Stubbs' team stays unbeaten in 2016.

I had no doubt today with the changes I made because I

I had no doubt today with the squad I have, I know the strength

they have, and some people may squad I have, I know the strength

questioned the seventh changes but we weren't questioning it

questioned the seventh changes but for me, we had just as strong a team

as what we did on Tuesday against Hearts. I don't have any qualms over

the end result, I think Hibs deserved to win, but I think my

players did well. We created chances in the second half and if we had

taken them earlier it could have got us back within a goal and it could

have been different but it is lots of positives and two big games on

the horizon. at the victory for hips against hearts. Did you have any

doubts that Hibs would get the three puts? Very much in agreement with

what Alan Stubbs said, there were more than enough strength in that

site come away with a victory at home where they have such a

fantastic record. I am British or he would not put that side out against

Hearts, but it shows the strength and depth that Hibs have. All you

have to do is look at the bench to see that. It shows the strength in

depth, it was very attack minded, a lot of names that you

depth, it was very attack minded, a on the Hibs bench got the chance

depth, it was very attack minded, a today. Fantastic pass. They were

playing as two high wing-backs, but the quality of passing, this is

another one. Just getting in behind, lovely when I'm great finish. I

would say probably five of the lads on the bench today would be

first-team players. Stevenson is injured. This was a really good

passing move. On the other side of it, Alloa had one or two chances.

Really strong performance. The ball comes in here and ball gets his

third. You see a player like Henderson, on loan, and see how many

midfielders they have. There is a real effervescence about his play.

He fits in very well to the setup. He has a manager that has given him

a lot of trust and belief, Filton full of confidence. You see the end

result, some great performances from him.

Hibs narrowing the gap on Rangers to five points.

Could Rangers stretch it back to eight, with victory at Queen

The Rangers manager Mark Warburton not a fan of artificial pitches -

this would be the third artificial surface Rangers had played

James Fowler makes a solitary change to the side that won against St

Mirren. Andy Murdoch sets out today, Miller comes in. Rangers are without

Martin Waghorn, hurt in the Scottish Cup win against Kilmarnock.

Mark Millar, plenty of targets including Derek Lyle at the back.

Good save. Then headed wide! Fotheringham did really well here. A

good position, got the follow-up too. Free kick, dealt with by Tim

Atkinson. 21-year-old, just the third appearance of the season.

Dealing with the free kick from the full-back. Tavern near, on the King.

Back again. Two players interchange. Rides the challenge well. Andy

Halliday, goes for the curl, spilt by the keeper. Great save. King

can't get there. Cracking challenge by Kyle Houghton. The goalkeeper

made the mistake, it was a decent shot. But Clark was denied, the

goalkeeper up quickly. That is what they are trained to do. Ryan Conroy

with the corner from the right hand side. Back into the middle. Lewis

Kidd is calling for it. Rattles the crossbar. What a hit that was. Chris

Higgins laid it back to him. Queens are struggling now. Tries to

show him on the outside. And does just that. Great action. O'Halloran

with a long-running, but plays this just that. Great action. O'Halloran

back. This rattles the frame. Halladay will run over. That goes

down as casual stop of the day from Jim at consent. There is the hand

up, have a corner. Queen of the South battling again. Rosol Centre

out wide, calling for a again. Back on the Harris. --

that is not a good clearance. Following out truly quickly. He had

to be. That is alert goalkeeping. Mark Warburton, a glance at the

clock. Wallace. Miller has made a run, bounces up, Kenny Miller has

gone for Gradel! The half volley a reminder of that cup final winning

goal in 2009, what a strike from Kenny Miller. It is his 100th league

goal in Scotland, his 73rd for Rangers, and he delivered it with

aplomb. Higher than he thought, the desired result exactly what he

wanted! Here is Ryan Conroy. Fotheringham doing his job. Always

looks a decent stop when you dive, but that is confident goalkeeping.

Atkinson sent it long. Picked up by Jason Holt, it is opening up for

Jason Holt! Out of the hands of the goalkeeper, somehow he got it on to

the bar. It had power. The goalkeeper would have been blushing

if that had gone in. Corner. That is a great header from Higgins. It is

another good save from Wes Fotheringham. He got the angle on

this perfectly, scooped clear by the keeper. Holt, on to Miller, Rangers

will be happy to waste a few seconds here, Miller into Wallace, a great

little run, Wallace, back onto Kenny Miller for two. Arguably an easier

chance than the one he scored. Great play from Rangers. He knows this

could be their final chance. Conroy sent it in. Andy Dowie, over the

top. Queen of the South's final chance.

Another three points for Rangers, and they are eight points ahead of

Hibs again. Hibs have a game in hand against Morton in midweek. 1-0 they

lost to Falkirk this weekend, Falkirk five points behind Hibs.

What you have to say is the Rangers road show, where we saw a barrel

load of goals being scored earlier, slowed down today, and Queen of the

South had their chances. Threw it was a good game. This was early on,

a free header from a set play. Knocks it wide.

Now 1-0 today. A lot of people talk about Waghorn and tavern near, Holt,

but Fotheringham has been a sound as anybody. Why has it slow down? I

think a common mission of things. It is very difficult to maintain that

level of tempo throughout a whole season. Teams have started to suss

out the way Rangers play, trying to play a bit more defensive and

frustrate Rangers. I think the combination of those two things has

led to them not scoring a barrel load, but the most important thing

is you get three points. That is the sign of a good team, and Rangers

have been able to do that. A stupendous strike from Kenny Miller

to this match. Yes, as stupendous strike from Kenny Miller

vote in the Scottish Cup final. It is a fantastic strike. They used to

work that, and I have seen Kenny Miller do Scotland. The other Miller

switches off and doesn't go with him, but that is harsh. For him to

shoot it from there, probably the highest shot ever to come down and

land it surprised Kenny. The get his reaction. Fantastic goal to win any

game. I am pleased for him, he has signed a new deal and are still

scoring the goals. It is all heading to this match between Hibs and

Rangers in mid April. As long as it still maintains just a few points,

that game will be vital. Michael, thank you for struggling

that game will be vital. Michael, championship race could go all

that game will be vital. Michael, way to the wire. From all