22/04/2012 Sportscene

The perfect start. Celtic. They are enjoying themselves this afternoon.

They couldn't have witnessed anything better. What a strike for

Watson. He's going for it. What a goal that is! Brilliant. Oh, that's

something else. It's that time of the season,

Celtic are champions but there are still European places and

relegation to be sorted over the next three weeks. All the latest

SPL action coming your way in the company of Dundee United skipper

and Player of the Year nominee Jon Daly. United fans would have

thought you were having a laugh by suggesting they might be in the

draw for next season's Champions League qualifiers, but they are in

the mix and, having lost to Aberdeen last time out, they were

bidding to get back on track against Perth. It's a McDermott

Park fixture with a recent record for goals.

Back in August, it was 3-3 between this pair. And in February, United

He's played for Hibs and Celtic but Riordan hadn't played for St

Johnston until yesterday. Four other changes for the team. Dundee,

despite ending a six match win went with the same players in a bid to

with the same players in a bid to relaunch their European charge.

Champions League football beginning in earnest here. An early free kick

won in a very good area. The debutant Riordan is over it. What a

start in the opening minute. Sheridan hits the woodwork. St

Johnston almost making a dream start here. Opening stages of the

game, Derek Riordan, one of his first touches as a Saints player.

Daly. Back out. Good ball. It's been spilt. Not a renowned goal

scorer, Flootd -- flood. Saints getting it away. Flood. Good ball.

Dal. The man of the moment. -- Daly. Almost 22 goals of the season for

him there. It was more hope than anything es.

Daly putting the pressure on. St Johnston. Bodys in the way. That's

going to come to Robertson. 1-0. Dunn due United.

St Johnston couldn't get it clear. Strong play from Daly, Rankin and

then Robertson, back to Rankin, Robertson with the finish. It's a

fine finish from the midfielder. Kept his run going across the

goalkeeper. Just a point separating these two teams in the SPL. Saints

in fourth, Dundee United fifth. A booking for the challenge there. He

was trying to get away from the scene. Sandaza. Hearts were awarded

that late penalty against Celtic by this referee. Stpeef Lomas has don

a fine job -- Steve Lomas. The referee spotted something off the

ball. A straight red for Francisco Sandaza. He's done so much right

this season, the former Dundee United striker. Red carded now.

He's getting involved now with the Dundee United players. And now his

own players as well. McKay is the skipper and he's pushing Sandaza

off the park. A kick at Dylan there. Dixon. Good ball. Still alaif. --

still alive. As the ball came in here, there was a slight shout for

a penalty kick. There was a hand up. You would feel it would be the

killer one. Robertson has the only goal of the game so far. It's all

Dundee United against the ten men. Rankin. United looking to ice the

cake and they have! No doubt where the points are going now. Rankin

seals them for Dundee United. Houston celebrating on the touch

line. United will go above St Johnston in the SPL now into fourth

place and it's a terrific finish from Rankin. Unsung hero this

season for the Tangerines. Peter Houston was getting excited on the

touch line. Was there a feeling of relaunching your bid to nail down a

European place for Aberdeen? Yes, the gaffer said before the game

that St Johnston were probably lacking at it as the biggest game

of the season and that's how we had to look at it. St Johnston had to

beat us yesterday, it was a massive three points for us and great to

keep a clean sheet. Three midfielders got the goals, taking

the pressure after off you. And the guys have a habit of scoring in the

same game? Yes, maybe three or four games supported there. Yes, ranks

did that there and Robbo's kept his cool. He's got lucky here, bounced

back to him and it's a great finish. Persistence. Rankin, took him a

while to get his first goal and now he's got a few. Maybe he has 60 or

70 shots before he scored his first. A great header from Ryan. Clever

header into the space. Once he gets on the left peg, only one outcome.

Dundee United must be the best team many the country at the moment in

form when you lack at the last ten games. You have lost only one, won

eight in the process, it's great momentum? Yes, definitely. Winning

eight from the last ten, I think a big plus for us is all the clean

sheets that we have. A llt of credit has to go to the boys at the

back, Gavin has been immense and the full backs as well. I feel like

I'm in the presence of greatness tonight because you have been

nominated in the PFL Scotland player of the year awards. There

you are, top corner, Steven Davies, Dean Shiels, Charlie mull grau.

It's this kind of form obviously, the goals that's grabbed people's

attention. -- Mulgrew. Why is this your best season so far? I think

I've probably steered clear of injury this year quite a lot and

the boys have been brilliant. I put it all down to my team-mates. I

think my tape of game, I'm not going to get the ball and beat

three or four players and score a goal, I need quality service there

and I've had it all season -- my type of game. Is that you thanking

all your team-mates, the acceptance speech? Yes, but the likes of Paul

Dixon has been immense and Gary and Johnny Russell laying on goals. I

have to be thankful to them. What's the goal celebration about? We have

seen plenty of it? It was a YouTube clip that I was shown by Paul Reid

at the club and he taulgt me to do it one day and I did it after the

Aberdeen game one day and I just took off -- taught me. You must

take a lot of pride from the SPL charts that show you up against

Gary Cooper. You must be chuffed when you look at that and the

chance to be the first Dundee United player since Andy Grey to

finish top player? Yes, Hooper is a fantastic striker but again, it's

down to the service and quality of the delivery of geting it into the

box and the boys have been great and thankfully we have been in

there to put them away. Some of your team-mates are on the honours

list this season as well for Young Player of the Year. Forest of

Celtic there, McKay, Russell and McLean as well. They've both been

terrific. Firstly, Russell came alive in the course of the season,

didn't he? Yes, he did. This is the game I remember where he scored a

couple of goals before this, he had a dip in form and the manager left

him out and then he came off the bench that day when we were

struggling and scored two and set us up for victory. This was

special? A great goal, yes. His force touch was brilliant. To beat

a few players and slot it away was bad thing about this lad, such a

nice lad and down-to-earth, the type of guy that you would like to

see go all the way. It tells you a lot about his confidence. Is this

known as the Gaz get-away? Yes, and he's informed me that he has a GMS

as well, so I'm waiting to see that one.

And one on the plate for you? he showed us that he doesn't go on

the outside all the time. He comes down the inside and puts a great

ball in for me to put away. Talking of nominations, what about Peter

Houston for no more nations of the season. Neil Lennon's taken Celtic

to the Championship and Stuart McCall for Motherwell, but

Houston's almost completely rebuilt Dundee? He has and the pressure at

the start of the season when we didn't start so well, you know,

he's turned it round and I wouldn't be surprised if his name was in

there when it comes around. Celtic's last trip to Fir Park

sparked a turnaround. The fixture today was much more important you

would have thought to a Motherwell team chasing a Champions League

dream. Motherwell were minus suspended

pair. Some back after their bans playing like champions. The title

clinched in their last league game. Got a touch. Goes wide. He's

looking for a penalty. O'Reilly waving his claims away. Having his

shirt tugged by Hamill. Higdon. Humphrey. Good effort. Good save.

Lucas. Sprang to his right and threw out a glove to push this

start something far Celtic. A big chance, it's gone wide! He has had

precious few opportunities to shine in the Celtic first team. A golden

chance. He did not tackle this with any great conviction at all. Celtic

manager Neil Lennon is banned from the touchline so he is in

communication from the directors' box. That was a great cut back. He

has tucked it wide. Celtic unable to make the most of this

goalkeeper's legs but he got enough on it to again frustrate Celtic's

Polish striker. It is still up his mind. In the end, he neither

she did or cut it back. What a big moment for this 18-year-old, his

great ball in. Tony Watt scores on his debut! What a moment for the

teenager. A brilliant finish. Lots to do beyond the back post foster

the keeper got a hand to it but he Watt. He has scored again! It is

the day of his dreams, a prolific scorer for Celtic's Under 19s but

he scored within three minutes of coming on for the top team. He has

only gone and done it again! chance of Stuart McCall's team

getting anything from this game now are pretty slim. Celtic very much

in control. One of their outstanding players today on the

ball. Looking to do more damage. Finding room for the shot. Good

save! Pickwick the shift and hit. Touched over the top by the

Motherwell keeper. They measured pass out wide. -- at a measured

pass. Having a look at what is on. There is Cha Du-Ri! He was not

going to miss this time, the Korean. Timing it to perfection. Matching

the ball in. Crashing a header in the to round things off what Celtic.

3-0. Tony Watt scoring his debut 3-0. Tony Watt scoring his debut

was memorable enough for him at the time. Something special today for.

He was not hanging about and having an impact off the bench. The debut

of his dreams. He has come on and of his dreams. He has come on and

it is a great ball into the box. What I like is his movement to get

a way from his marker. To score from there is a ridiculous finish.

They're really nice touch. They couple of minutes later, they were

set up for number two. He shows great confidence again. Just plays

it 3 the defender's legs and across the keeper. A cracking finish. --

plays it through. It is Grade was a thick are producing out of their

youth academy -- it is great. Having the League wrapped up

already, it is a great opportunity to bring fruit boys and give them

some game times. Motherwell will be disappointed not to get anything

from the game. You have picked up three points from them and now it

Encouraging. I know you don't want to get incited but it is a good

incentive to have. When you look at the fixtures and the fact that you

are at home to Hearts before Motherwell play St Johnstone

because of the goal difference in means that if you will that game,

you will be third by the time they played. It could be a nice transfer

of pressure. It is an opportunity to deploy pressure and I think

Motherwell have been fantastic. It is going to be tough for us to get

it but I think we are delighted to be within touching distance of them.

The last fixture there against Motherwell away, if we are within

touching distance then, it would be great. Are you under orders to keep

a lid on expectations? I am just being honest. We are on great form

at the moment but I look at the fixtures we have got. Hearts are a

fantastic side, Rangers, Celtic, Motherwell. It is the top teams.

interesting race for the third place in the S P R. It could not

meet tougher times far -- in the best PR. It could not be tougher

half. Celtic have drawn level at last. A penalty kick! The former

Celtic striker up against Fraser for stuff. Finds the back of the

net. Hearts are surely going to be back in the game. There was only

one change the Hearts manager made to the starting line-up for

yesterday's games. Rangers were minus their keeper. Stephen

goes in the favour of Rangers. He wants a word with Andy Webster.

That is why the free-kick has been awarded. A lovely goal from Sone

Aluko to open the scoring! He told her it out of the reach of Jamie

McDonald. Tremendous strike from the winner. Rangers take the lead.

Well-played by... A terrific save by the keeper. They thought they

had doubled the lead. A tricky one for MacDonald to deal with. Randy

little causing him some problems -- Andy Little causing him some

problems. There is Andy Little. A second Rangers goal! It is Andy

Little, the man who has got it. It fell kindly for him. He skipped it

over and within five minutes Rangers have scored two goals.

Hearts desperately need to get something from this match. The

wrong side of the post as far as he is concerned. They are still not

out of this. A good save. He got hold of that one well. They pushed

a goal back. A lifeline for them. Against the crossbar from the man

who was the hero from the penalty spot last weekend. Not so at

Tynecastle and Rangers two-goal lead is preserved. He just could

not get their. The Rangers fans and players breathe a sigh of relief as

simple task of Andy Little to double his own tally and make it a

third for Rangers. A terrific move. Andy Little could not miss from

there. The run was perfectly timed. No question of offside. I suppose

it was always going to be difficult after the height of last weekend to

reproduce again it against the other half. Playing against Rangers

who have been on good form lately and full of good players. It was

always going to be a difficult game. The penalty missed was a key moment.

The free-kick with a Sone Aluko. Sometimes you are looking for a

badly placed goalkeeper. If you look at the movement on the ball,

it is moving away from the keeper all the time. I do not really think

there is an awful lot the keeper can do. Rangers in administration

has created opportunities for fringe players to come in and show

what they can do. It is good seeing Andy Little showing what he can do.

He has scored 5 Rangers went into administration. He has had career-

threatening injuries. But he is grabbing his chance, isn't he?

is. It has given him an opportunity for another striker and his seems

to be Andy Little... If you look at the goals he is scoring, he is

scoring some cracking doubles. He follows the shot spin and finishes

them. His contract is up at the end of the season consult -- the end of

the season. There is no bad news if he is scoring goals at the moment.

Rangers will want to hold on to him if he keeps scoring. Every time he

has played against us, he has done well. How do you feel about Rangers

at the moment? Will they be in the SDL next season? They are one of

the biggest clubs in Scotland, even the UK. When you see a team like

that struggling, it is not good. The best bits of this season for

Inverness and Aberdeen will probably be the end of it. They

went head-to-head this weekend and Jonathan Sutherland will talk us

the sticks far Aberdeen for the first time since his life

threatening brain seizure. It was great to see him back and he was

busy straightaway. He has always been a good shot-stopper and he

clearly has not lost it. A stab at goal but again he came to the

rescue. Inverness defender Steve Williams has scored once already

this season. He thought he had scored a second as he smashed the

ball into the Aberdeen net but an offside flag kept the scoreline at

0-0. Aberdeen would create very few chances themselves. This was one of

them. The shot was wide of the post. A shrewd through-ball. Despite

their limp attacking threat, Aberdeen would take the lead thanks

to Roman Golobart, the Spanish Inverness defender on loan from

Wigan Athletic with his third own- goal of the season. If that had

been based eyes of bad luck for Roman Golobart, he would get some

good luck soon after went this shot cannoned off his arms. No penalty

though. They then demonstrated how you cult a free-kick as Inverness

set about finding an equaliser. The 20 year-old with no goals from what

has been a frustrating injury- ravaged season. Then Shane

Sutherland fashioned himself a chance from which he thought he

should have done better. Do not be under any illusions from these

highlights, this was humdrum end- of-season fare with a hapless

moment still yet to come. In the 89th minute, they steamed through

the middle of the Inverness defence, his shot was saved, but the ball

was bundled into Deraa net. 2-0 took Aberdeen, to own goals for

Inverness. Too much for the furious back after suffering that seizure.

It must be fantastic for him to be back in action? Yes, he must be

delighted to be playing again. When something like that happens, you

must be thinking you will never play again. Lovely to see him keep

a clean sheet and make a few saves. On form and back in the Aberdeen

goal yesterday. Was I right to say about the teams that they'll

probably be glad to get to the end of the season because it doesn't

hold much excitement? Possibly. That can happen with the split

sometimes. When the split happens, you can't go any further and they

are both going to be safe so there's no threat of relgaition.

They'll be looking forward to the summer break -- relegation.

have to imagine that every match for Dunfermline has a scramble

towards SPL safety. St Mirren now and Liam has the best of the action.

There was plenty of it. Dunfermline find themselves seven

points adrift at the bottom of the SPL. It's crucial they pick up

points. Time is running out for them. It's seines on the ball

though. McGowan. Hasselbaink. Good skill. St Mirren are in front!

Hasselbaink rewarded for his tenacity and he slipped it under

Smith. The former Saints goalkeeper. Dunfermline stirring down the

barrel again. Need the find inspiration from somewhere. Graham.

Off the post. This is a terrific effort from Graham. So unlucky.

Graham. Another former St Mirren player. Macmillan. It's a great

header. And St Mirren hit the wood work. Thompson could do nothing

with the rebound. Really good deep delivery from Carey. The downward

header from McGowan. Slack. Dunfermline. Hasselbaink who scored

the first of the afternoon. Rem I Emre. Back to McLean. Carey is up

for this attack as well. A great ball. 2-1 to St Mirren. Thompson

their top scorer nods it back across the goalkeeper. That was all

about the cross of Carey. Fantastic have options. His second! St Mirren.

That relegation trap door is ajar right now for Dunfermline. Two

goals behind. St Mirren with a 3-1 Graham bursts in. Dunfermline have

a lifeline, something to hold on to. Nobody in there for saints. Cardle

robs. Thompson. Hat trick. Thompson who came to St Mirren in the summer,

he's a fan. He would have dreamt of that. A hat trick for Saints' main

man. 4-2 St Mirren. Scored four goals a couple of times this season.

Defending now. Buchanan. It's a Dunfermline once again are back in

the game. When they ought to be out It's in! 4-4! An incredible game.

Dunfermline will celebrate the point. It may not even be enough

but they've come back somehow into this match. St Mirren 4,

Dunfermline 4. Steven Thompson should have been on

the winning side. 15 goals for the season from him. On the six behind

you, but three great finishes from him here? Yes, I think he's a great

player, a great lad as well and he thrives on service like that. If

you put the ball in the box like that, he'll score plenty. Two great

headers there. The next one is a fantastic finish as well. Great

pressure there and great first touch and rifles it into the top

corner and it's a great hat trick. When you look at a couple from the

other side of the coin, it's poor defending, switching off defending

from Dunfermline and they can't afford that? Yes, they are trying

to play out from the back and it's nice to do that sometimes but I

think there's a time and a place for it and the last goal there that

we seen, they should have dealt with that better. What was positive

from Dunfermline's point of view was the fightback qualities they

showed in this game. They were always on the back foot but they

were always coming back? Yes, definitely. If they were going to

have any chance of staying up, they are going to need to do that and

not give up. This goal here is great, well worked and great one

touch football in the edge of the box, a great finish. They'll be

hoping this could be an important point for them? Yes, to come back

from 4-2 down to get a point is a massive point. Before the game,

they obviously would have been lacking at getting the telepoints

but the way the game panned out, they'll take a point. What was

looking like a forgettable season for Hibs could have a memorable

ending, on course for SPL survival and last weekend reached the

Scottish kun final -- Cup Final. Joud standing. That may be the goal

that takes them to the Scottish Cup final. Scored by Lee Griffiths.

The best of the action by Paul Hibs. Been a positive start to the

match. Griffiths dropped the shoulder, opened up. A decent save.

Griffiths wide. Chance for him. Fabulous tackle from O'Leary. Cost

his side problems and came back to dig them out of the hole. O'Connor

looked up, knew where Lee Griffiths was. Griffiths couldn't take him

out as he wanted. Great clearance.. Wide. Dangerous on the right hand

side. The referee says goal kick.. And he's furious. He thinks there

was contact here. Stevenson. Hibs skipper coming close to his first

goal for Hibs. Stevenson. Wide on the left. Just off target. Harkins

needs support. Gordon. Nice ball into Kelly. Down by Claros, penalty

kick. Thompson standing just two or three yards away simply pointed to

the spot. Can he do this for Killie? He certainly can. She'lls,

who refuses to celebrate in any great style puts Killi ahead --

Shiels. Griffiths opens up. Deflect off O'Leary. Couldn't get the power

he wanted. Kilmarnock get away on this. Claros. First of all, the

Haim for the penalty. Dayton hits it off himself. That would have

been harsh. Great control by Claros. We were speaking about that point

for Dunfermline and suddenly when Hibs get nothing in a home game

against Kilmarnock, it's a better point for Dunfermline isn't it?

course it's a massive point. Only a couple of games left to go so they

need to start turning those points into three points. Could be

interesting because Hibs and Dunfermline play each other at some

point in the next three weeks which could be crucial. Dunfermline need

to get back another three points and they are level? If Dunfermline

can win the next game and Hibs get beat, they are three points behind

going into the next game. The next game is massive. It's a funny old

end to Hibs -- old end to the season for Hibs isn't it? They

can't rest players until they are guaranteed safety in the SPL. It

would be nice to give a few boys a rest leading up to the Scottish Cup

final, but until they are secured their safety, they can't do that.

Three penalty shouts today, one given. What did you make of this

one? Good defending, if I'm honest. If you see here, Dayton goes down

easily and gets his arm across him but it's good defending. Claros on

Kelly, it wasn't a tough decision? You can see by the reaction of his

team-mates that it's a definite penalty. Shiels puts it away well.

One of your rivals for player of the year. Dayton off his arm. He

didn't know much about it did he? think the ref got all three

decisions correct there. If it's given against you, you would feel

quite aggrieved. Kilmarnock don't have much to play for but it

doesn't matter for the rest of the season because they've won the

League Cup, maybeing a massive difference? Yes, definitely. To win

a cup is fantastic and the way they went out in the final was brilliant.

They've not got a lot to play for but I think everyone down there

will be pushing for that spot. it a refreshing end to the season

for Scottish football that will be the first Edinburgh Derby since

1896? You know well what the Scottish Cup was all about having

got a winners' medal in 2010? it's a great day out for the club

and great for Edinburgh to have two teams in the final and the

atmosphere will be fantastic. check on the Clydesdale bank

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 44 seconds