24/01/2016 Sportscene

hello, good evening and welcome to Sportscene. It is unbelievable.

Unbelievable! A spectacular opening goal. The shot is an absolute

beauty. A chance and he has done it. Is this a bit of history? It is.

What a finish! That is it, I would imagine. Good evening and welcome to

Sportscene. Eight games with 20 goals and countless moments of

controversy packed into 55 minutes. It all looks something like this.

And, keeping count in the studio, Pat Nevin and Steven Thompson. We

start at Tannadice this evening and the clash between Dundee United and

Kilmarnock. Do die battle, win or bust. Insert your own cliche. They

all apply to this one. Billy McKay does the business. In

goes for now. Nick Ross. Dundee Billy McKay does the business. In

in front. It took a deflection. -- Dundee are in front. He was not

happy with that. The manager makes a raft of changes for United as they

tried to stay afloat in the top flight. They are looking to win

three straight games, Kilmarnock. A good ball. Two straight with the

finish. Either side of the goalkeeper and Kilmarnock would have

had the ideal start. Blair Spittal! That was a great

drive from Blair Spittal. What a shot! Good build up play. That was

clinical into the corner. Dundee United... The manager will be

delighted. They have the lead. They have

another chance. A nurtured. He kept going but the

whistle went. Much to the dismay of the home fans, who started to

celebrate. Ian Anderson gets this right. That was a bad header by

thinly. Murray, just shove on the back of by the Tony and the free

kick. 2-0 Dundee United. Mark Durnan is

off the bench for the first time and schools for the first time for

Dundee United. A great ball in. -- and scores. McGuinness could not

track him. Two defenders went for it. As good

as his first goal was, this one is fortunate. He played it in. It was a

cross ball. Two defenders went for it. Mother could get their heads

onto it. It distracted the goalkeeper. -- neither could get.

Kilmarnock are up against it now. Three down. Seven points in the last

four league games and Dundee United had taken just one in that spell.

The deflection. Dundee United have not scored four goals in a game this

season. They have hit four in the first half here at Tannadice. Rankin

with the volley. He talked up the importance of this game and he has

scored in it now. A handball. No penalty given. Hands

up if you think this is a penalty. I will tell you what, it should have

been. That was nicely done. Dylan still

going. Sean Dillon with the 1-2. It is Barcelona like from Dundee

United. Sean Dillon plays the role of line message. What an afternoon

for Dundee United! What a reaction Dundee United have given the

manager. The goalkeeper trying to keep a

clean sheet intact. A series of corners continues.

A consolation from Kilmarnock. McGuinness moves into double figures

for the season. A real hiding for Kilmarnock. The boys today were

absolutely first half. Whenever we played the ball behind them, we know

where they played before. They anticipated things really well. The

defence were determined to take the upper hand. I really good

performance. The first 45 minutes were not good enough. We needed to

do better and that has given Dundee United a huge boost. We have many

wins to get. I have said for a long time, I believe we will do it. I

truly believe that. Before today, I said it. I still say it. I know

people will be looking and going, no. I know people who will not give

us a chance. We must win. I understand that.

The players had a meeting among themselves this week. How much would

that have galvanised them? I have been involved in a lot of meetings

and there are some home truths told. If we loose Saturday, we are

relegated. It has given them a glimmer of hope. It will be a

massive psychological boost for them. If they can cut the gap down

to the split, seven, eight points, then anything is possible. It was a

huge victory and a huge few weeks coming up for Dundee United against

sides in and around them. When it was 1-0 against the cill, Hamilton

and Motherwell, it will be incredibly hard for them. They are

winnable games, games they will probably have to win. It will be

difficult. Some players are playing with some special confidence. Two or

three fantastic goals and one very special performance. Blair Spittal

is someone we have talked about in recent weeks. He was at the fore

again. His reaction was good. He did not panic. He waited for the ball to

come to him. He did it perfectly. It was a corner but his delivery from

free kicks and corner kicks, this is a nice thing. He keeps on

retreating, going backwards, going backwards. That is quite unusual. He

believes he can take the players on and he wants the space to do it. He

was a bit lucky. He played really well. He is technically gifted. An

orthodox finish. Well done to Dundee United. In a word, Stephen, de

United stay up? Know for me. Simon could they need to win eight out of

16 and that is unlikely. -- They need to win. Kilmarnock have been so

inconsistent this year. They are one of six teams who are all capable of

being in the play-off places. Hamilton's season goes from bad to

worse. They were thrashed 8-1 by Celtic on Tuesday. This afternoon

they faced Hearts. Their only two in September have come against Hamilton

and Aberdeen. Gillespie is injured. Robbie Neilson

is happy to go with the same side that destroyed Motherwell last

weekend. A double save from Michael McGovern.

A lovely ball in. The Hearts top scorer will be

annoyed he has not found him. He lost his bearings. A bad-tempered

clash earlier in the season. Billy King scored here earlier in

the campaign. A good save. Igor Rossi is claiming he has come of the

worst. Hearts had Callum Paterson set off in controversial

circumstances back in August. Surely they are about to lose another

player to a sending off? There it is. Confirmation. Igor Rossi looks

perplexed. He surely has no complaints. Hearts are down to ten

men for the second time here this season. This coming after Billy King

drew a terrific save out of McGovern.

He is having a look at the referee. Callum Paterson was challenging him.

Awkward. Only as far as Crawford. Second chance. Devlin is up. A flag

up on the near side as that Lynn attacked this ball. Good pressure.

Obviously the initial effort, they scored the winner here against

Hearts in the 3-2 victory. Good ball! Off the crossbar. They

are claiming handball. Well, that is as close as Hearts have come. A good

ball in. Flash of the crossbar. The two centre halves combining.

Hamilton will be rocked by that. They have the extra man. Hearts have

come closest. No contact. He is making a meal of

it. Hearts are on the counterattack. Imrie has clearly dived. Just inside

the box. journey he has been scythed down by

Tena, he has fallen off the tightrope, it is turned against ten

with a roundabout five to play. Hearts in the ascendancy just now as

well, they have been the better side recently and Jesus Garcia Tena

ensures both teams will finish the game with ten. Ozturk takes it.

Headed back across... Dario Zanatta hits the bar this time. What a

chance for the young Canadian. He has beaten McGovern.

Are Hearts about to lose ground on Aberdeen? Draw the gap would be

eight between third place Hearts and second placed Aberdeen. Dario

Zanatta again. They have the bit between the teeth, as they say, in

the closing stages. This is last chance time. August Dean didn't

catch it... Brilliant goalkeeping by Michael McGovern -- August Dean. It

has saved Hamilton a point. This was the last action. I think when you

play against an experienced team and they sit in their shape, it is never

easy. We could have won it, but Michael makes a good save at ten of

these, so overall, a point gained. I think we played well and had a lot

of opportunities and kept a shape well and towards the end of the

game, with probable it should have won it, the chances we had and

didn't score. A couple of big decisions for referee Bobby Madden,

we will get to those very shortly, but in the end, a better point for

accurate than Hearts? I would say so, I thought over the piece, hearts

were the better side, they had the better chances. Conditions were

awful, and it is an open ground as well and I applaud the players for

making a game of it in the second half, but I think Hearts with a

better side. The last time I met was the controversial sending-off of

Callum Paterson. A couple today the Bobby Madden, did he get them right?

I think they are both pretty self-explanatory. You can't make a

two footed challenge and that is blatant in front of the referee. I

think he gets injured himself, he takes a bad one but it is now a game

of who can push each other the most. Yes, he is not wearing studs, but it

is still extremely dangerous and without doubt the right decision. I

have not found anyone who has argued against that. The referee gets one

view, he gets that one right. In terms of Jesus Garcia Tena, we have

a good angle of it and it looked pretty clear-cut. If you are 11

against ten, you think the referee can make it even, you have to be

calm. That is just bad. And another big game of let's push each other

about. What is he thinking? The ride comes and then the left hits him as

well. It is late in the game but it wasn't a vicious game. I have

absolutely no idea what he is thinking about there, unless it

wants a holiday for a couple of weeks. I can't believe there are

that many people sliding about on Astroturf! But your manager will be

furious, all joking aside, Hamilton need all of their players. There was

the 8-1 drubbing from Celtic so in terms of the reaction from the

players, that is good. The clean sheet is massively important.

Obviously, they have lost a few goals recently, and the Celtic game,

Obviously, they have lost a few defensively really disappointing so

to get a clean sheet is massive. But don't get players sent off, you need

everybody. Your fringe players have to come in and it is a bit of a

nightmare. Do they have enough in the tank to catch Aberdeen? It'll

have to be a great run, and they think they are a great side but I

think it is a year early. After Motherwell's drubbing at

Tynecastle last weekend, Mark McGhee was looking for a response from his

players. The omens looked good, yesterday's visitors Ross County had

never won at Fer Park. This match sparked a life after 20

minutes, Jack the curb and with the opening goal. He had been named

amongst the stubs but only started the game after Martin Woods fell ill

during the warm up. How would Motherwell respond? With gusto, as

it turned out. Lewis Moult with a header tipped over the bar by Scott

Fox. A sloppy pass from Ian McShane then letting Chris Cannon, making

his first start for Motherwell. Fox again with the save. -- Chris

Cadden. Stephen McManus went close with a header, Scott McDonald inches

away from bundling get home at the back post. So 1-0 Ross County at

half-time. In the second half, Motherwell upped the ante more as

they searched for an equaliser. Scott McDonald just unable to

connect with Johnson's fierce cross. At the other end, County almost went

2-0 in front. Johnson this time clearing Michael God I'm's header

off the line. -- Michael Gardyne's header. It was Michael Gardyne's

30th birthday and he was presented with a golden opportunity to score

but Ripley saved well. Jim McIntyre's side continued to looked

dangerous on the counterattack. Jackson Irvine fed substitute

Stewart Murdoch. And his cross found of Graham. 2-0 to County and Graham

with his fifth goal of the season. With four minutes left to play,

Motherwell hit back. The ball falling to Stephen Pearson, who

smashed home to give the home crowd some hope of a late rally.

With time slipping away, could Motherwell fashion one last chance

and grabbed an equaliser? The chance fell to Captain Keith Lasley, whose

shot looked destined for the net, but Fox pulled off a brilliant save

as Ross County held on for their very first victory at Fir Park.

He was excellent and Jim McIntyre said post match that his form has

dipped in recent weeks and that is why he was on the bench but he took

his opportunity. Broke his nose, scored a goal, and you were

impressed with his hair. Yes, he had a very eventful match, he is a

talented player and it was an all action display. And it was an

important victory for Ross County, because they had lost their last two

league games and they really needed a win to get themselves back into a

good area. They are now fourth in the league. Good run and pass,

continues his run into the box and it is a great finish. It does look

like a sore one he has got. He broke his nose, he came back on the pitch

and Ross County have a league cup semifinal against Celtic next

weekend. Can you play with a broken nose? Depends what size your noses.

To be have been impressed with them. Sometimes, you are not ready to the

coal and other times you are completely relaxed, you just run on

and play effortlessly -- ready for the call. I am jealous of his hair,

I will say that right now. It doesn't cost us much is your hair.

Can Ross County beat Celtic next weekend? They can, but they are

massive outsiders. Celtic are shown with the different players they can

bring it, they can play two teams that are capable of beating any team

in the league at their best, so it is tough but cup games, it can

happen and it has happened in the recent history at Hampden Park.

Stephen, in terms of Motherwell, good effort but it wasn't their day

and they would have wanted to bounce back after that 6-0 drubbing against

Hearts. They would have wanted to show the reaction. It has been a

poor January, considering the December they had and they will be

looking to pick up points, because they are one of a lot of teams

sitting just by the play-off places. Friday night saw Aberdeen host

Dundee. Could they keep the pressure on Celtic at the top of the table?

Commentary comes from John Barnes. Aberdeen make one enforced change to

the line-up. Mark Reynolds is suspended so sees Andrew Considine

return to the centre of defence. Paul Hartley starts with the same

team that beat Partick last week. Kane Hemmings again leads the

attack, 13 goals this season. McGinn with the corner. Out by

Stuart. It breaks the way of Rooney. Blocked

by Scott Bain. The pressure not over.

Turned away by the Dundee goalkeeper. Taylor lurking at the

back post. Good effort, excellent stop.

Jonny Hayes making his 150th appearance for Aberdeen. Keylor

knocking it down. It is Taylor again! Excellent save by Scott Bain.

Taylor was trying to set it up for Adam Rooney. It broke of David

Goodwillie. -- off. Rooney caught in position. Greg Stewart threw towards

Hemmings. Scott Brown down to make the save. Making his first start at

the tawdry since May. -- the . Jonny Hayes in towards Rooney! And

Adam Rooney makes the breakthrough. His determination at the back post

to get in ahead of Paul McGinn and that is Rooney's 16th goal of the

season, his sixth in his last five starts against Dundee and it is ten

goals in his last 12 league games. Excellent strike rate.

Good Willie is onside. David Goodwillie. Trying the shot. He has

put that one just wide. David Goodwillie desperate to get on the

scoresheet. His last goals came against Hearts back in September.

Wasn't too far away there. McGinn's corner. There is Taylor. He

is claiming for the corner. But it was another positive piece of

football from the big defender. Conrad looking for Hemmings. That is

a good effort. And turned away by Taylor after the initial save by

Brown. Hemmings on a good run of form, he has scored seven goals in

his last four matches. It breaks off Taylor and it is Scott

Bain again to parry that one away. Wonder. At full stretch. -- wonder.

-- wonderful stop. There is Rooney! About should have

been a number two for Adam Rooney. How did he miss from there? McGinn

knocking it in and Rooney at the back post scooped it way over the

top. It was across that became a shot and

Scott Bain had to deal with it. Time running out for the visitors to

try and claim the equaliser. Gary Harkins knocks it over the top of

the bar. It was Darren O'Dea with the flick on at the front and the

captain may have missed the last opportunity to level it up. It is

only 1-0, and with the opposition and the quality they have, that you

are never totally relaxed but we have do enjoy the result all the

same, it was a strong performance from us and a lot of good play and

we are thankful to win the game. We could have nicked an equaliser on

the last kick of the ball but overall, I was really pleased with

the players, the effort, the attitude and the work ethic, real

togetherness about the squad and the shape was brain. -- good. Aberdeen

grind out another three points and they have one man to thank.

If there is one man to watch, it is Adam Rooney. How has he been so

successful? You say he needs to be watched, well, keep your eye on him.

This particular goal, he is down at the bottom of the screen. Keep an

eye on him. He is working well and getting close. If you can see the

back of the defender you are in trouble. That is what happens in

this situation. If you can see his number, you are in massive trouble.

He makes another run. This time, once again when you can see the

number on the back. He was aware but, just at the vital moment, now

he has no idea where Adam Rooney is. If you look, one, two, three, four,

arguably five players marking one player. You find yourself with two

against three in the box. No great surprise he can make the run and get

in and score the goal. Is fantastic. A poacher 's goal, isn't it? This

underlines it for me. He does not run straight. He runs wide. He is

dragging the defence a bit wide. I think, if the ball is played into

this area at all, I think he gets to get. He has a brilliant chance at

goal but he has to play that ball in. Here's one on one with the

goalkeeper. They are so narrow. If I was Adam Rooney, I would be looking

for diagonal balls. Paul Hartley was talking about the fact the team was

organised and the structure was quite good. Time and again, they

managed to find that position and space. This, I do not think there is

any excuse at all if you are Dundee. Classic textbook. They are one, two,

three, four. That is awful defending. That is not the worst

part of it. The worst part is, there is a Rooney. He will run straight

through. See how many people watch him. This is the most important

player of the team. He is through. Nobody near him at all. If you're

going to play against a team and you know the strengths, Aberdeen are

really strong down the right and the left. Who will score a goal? It will

be Adam Rooney. It happens constantly, all the way through the

game. I do not think there is much of an excuse here. You have a man.

Keep your eye on Adam Rooney. He is there. You can see him. It does not

matter. You know where the problem is. Adam Rooney is coming in.

Everyone thinks it is dead but it is played back in. Let's have a look at

this, just before it moves. There is a great chance for him to run into

that position. I have a number of problems with this. He has been left

alone again. He is the most important player on the team. The

defenders are all over the place again. The left-back has been

brought right across the front post. The biggest problem is, what is he

doing? He is in no man's land. Should he be back there? If he had

come back, it would have allowed for Adam Rooney's run to have come in.

How about this? One, two, three, four. Once again, there is where the

problem is. Definitely. He is not personally want to leave free at the

back post. A few weeks ago I said how impressed I was with Dundee, a

fantastic structure. It may well be they had to make a substitution at

left-back. Changing the back for all the time. If you are working in a

back four, you wanted to be the same. They have probably not had the

opportunity to go over these things. What is the real story? Bad

defending all good attacking? Both. Adam Rooney's movement is good but

Dundee are disjointed. Time for a breather. Let's rewind back to 1982

and a game that kick-started Aberdeen's run to the cup. They

faced Motherwell and John Hewitt was about to enter the record books with

the fastest ever Scottish Cup goal. We have seen this man a lot on

sports -- Sportscene. He held from Edinburgh. A typical cup tie

atmosphere. A great chance for Hewitt. He scores. John Hewitt. That

must go down surely as the quickest Scottish Cup goal I have seen,

anyway. Great stuff. A tale of contrasting form next. St Johnstone

against Celtic, undefeated in their last five matches. Fresh from the

8-1 midweek hammering of Hamilton Academicals. Commentary on this one

comes from John Barnes. Celtic make two changes from the side that

pumped Hamilton 8-1 midweek. O'Halloran is back in the St

Johnstone line-up. Dave Mackay and Craig Johnston dropped to the bench.

Lovely skills from Griffiths. He tried the shot. Gary Mackay Steven!

He made no mistake with that one. -- that is the first goal of the season

for Gary Mackay Stevens. It fell kindly for the former Dundee United

player. Oh how R.N. Did well to the byline.

That was the equaliser. Within three minutes of going behind, St

Johnstone have pulled themselves level.

No takers in the middle. Lee Griffiths was at the back post. He

could not get onto the end of that one.

Driving forward. Still the Israeli midfielder with it.

A good save by the goalkeeper to deny McGregor. He was on the

scoresheet midweek against Hamilton, McGregor. Not this time.

A good delivery, knocked away by Brian Easton. Celtic have it back.

Armstrong! Terrific finish from Stuart Armstrong to put Celtic back

in front. Armstrong's third of the campaign. Excellent volley. Getting

in ahead of his man. Griffiths with the follow-up. He

could not find the back of the net. He is in a good run of form. Eight

goals in the last format coaches. Going to ground. Mackay-Steven takes

over and finishes it. It is eight double four Gary Mackay-Steven. He

was trying to pick out Griffiths. He gets his first two goals of the

season in this game. Stephanie Hanson was on the back

post covering. It was a good delivery in. Johannson with the

clearance. Knocking it through. In four Liam Craig. It looked like the

ideal chance for St Johnstone. Terrific play is a wide area. Craig

denied with the great reflex is of Craig Gordon. They have won seven of

their last eight away matches. Wide of the target from Michael

O'Halloran. Good control, good touch and turn. I

think we are going to be very hard to beat. Everybody is working really

hard and we win the ball in good situations. We are hard to beat.

Considering the former Celtic are in, and how they played today, I

thought they were excellent. We put a lot into the game. The first goal,

they got a little break with a deflection. We should see it out to

half-time. We conceded that goal at a bad time. At the start of the

second half we done OK. We looked a bit of a threat. The third goal

killed. I think it was a foul on Brian Stevens. I am disappointed the

referee did not give that. So most chat before the game about one

winger, Michael O'Halloran. You did have an impressive game is today.

The winger who has not hit the heights so far for Celtic this

season had a good game yesterday. Not always his own fault. When you

come into a team, you need to be able to play with a little bit of

belief, confidence and freedom. It is hard to do that at Celtic. When

you score a couple of goals and play well, suddenly that comes back. A

sharp for a free kick. He is totally relaxed. He passes the ball into the

net. It is difficult to have the relaxed attitude when playing for

Celtic. You are under pressure for your place and have to win every

week. Different when you're playing for Dundee or any other team in the

league. It might take longer that he is getting into good positions and

playing with that belief. Click centric spin the end. Good to see

him doing well. Michael O'Halloran very much to the fore yesterday. So

much linkage with Rangers at the moment. St Johnstone have the

massively cup final next week against Hibs. Will he still be

there? He is such a massive player for St Johnstone. There would have

to be such a big offer made for him to go. I do not think they will sell

him on the offers that are being made. They are trying to get him a

move to Celtic in the game. That was after the match yesterday. A massive

player for St Johnstone and they will do anything in their power to

hold onto him. Do Aberdeen need to be Celtic? They do, absolutely.

Inverness against Partick this'll next. Could they make it six wins?

Inverness Caledonian Thistle have failed to score in the last few

matches against Partick. This past to release Miles Storey.

Cerny a sharp off his line. A good effort from the goalkeeper.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle came in with just one loss in eight games.

They continue to create the better of the chances. This link update

ending with an attempt at the edge of the box. It was not on target.

Miles Storey and Raven were ever present in the first half. Draper

could not make it two league goals in two league games. The first

league meeting of the season between the two ended goalless. It was

looking like that again despite the best efforts of the top goal-scorer,

Miles Storey. Journey made the save. -- Cerny made the save. They found

themselves under continued pressure. It would be the substitute who did

not take advantage of the fine work by Miles Storey, putting his shot

wide of the post. Indecision almost cost Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Chris Elliott with a golden chance. He could not find a finish to match.

Iain Vigurs had one more opportunity but the fists of Tomas Cerny

prevented a late knockout blow. Inverness ended with money but no

goals in the bank. The hard performance, hard-working

performance, the shape was good, just disappointed we didn't win the

match. There was a lot of good stuff played, the conditions didn't help,

but an important point after such a disappointing performance and result

last week. Very honest from Alan Archibald, pay what you can, what

would you have paid? ?7, maybe. I think both managers admitted it

probably wasn't the best game, Partick have poor first half,

improved in the second, but there wasn't a lot of action. It is a

shame, in all seriousness, pay what you can, trying to attract a few

numbers and it is not the greatest in terms of entertainment. It is

tough because you build all of this up and you get a lot of advertising,

it has been brilliant, and I think the lads went through it with a fine

tooth comb looking for some highlights and got very little

indeed. Here is a new idea, how about pay what you think it was

worth after the game. They probably wouldn't have got much money. Trying

to revolutionise Scottish football again! Inverness back in the top

six, looking for more punch up front. A decent point per Partick

Thistle but Inverness still looking for that attacking quality. I think

John Hughes admitted as much, they have missed players, Watkins, Billy

Mackay, Ryan Christie going away. I think they are missing that spark in

the final third and that has been the piece of the jigsaw this season.

Time for a look at the Ladbrokes Premiership table. And Celtic's

fourth league win in a row sees them stay six points ahead of Aberdeen at

the top. Ross County take Saint Johnstone's

place as the best of the rest. At the bottom, Dundee United are just a

mere 11 points behind Kilmarnock. To the Championship now and in a

moment, we will see how Falkirk heard away to Livingston but first,

no place in Hibs, Bakkali to' starting 11 for Anthony Stokes, but

he was on the bench. -- Hibs' starting 11.

All of the focus on Anthony Stokes but another on loan Celtic player

would shine for Hibs. The Henderson fouled on the edge of the box, play

would be back. -- pulled back. And when Henderson took the free kick,

it was a thing of beauty. And certainly deserving of a celebratory

hug. Hibs in full flow can be a sight to

behold and cause opposition defences all sorts of problems. A great move

ended with John McGuinness firing the Easter Road side into a 2-0 lead

-- John McCain. Scoring against his former club. It has been a season to

endure rather than enjoy for Saint Mirren fans, is much talk about

avoiding relegation is qualifying for a play-off spot. Amid the

general gloom, the odd moment to lighten the mood. A free kick gave

Stevie Mallan the chance to show his prowess in a dead ball situation. A

moment to savour for the away fans. All the talk had been about Anthony

Stokes. He got his chance off the bench with 20 minutes to play and he

got his chance to score in the 90th minute. He couldn't really miss.

Next up for Alan Stubbs' side, a league cup semifinal against St

Johnstone's. -- Sam grid could have been a lot more but

I am delighted with the performance, delighted with the three points and

it has set us up nicely the next weekend. You have to give Hibs

credit, they have a lot of quality in the squad. They made a few

changes and we went to 4-4-2 latterly with 70 minutes to go and

we had to try and get the equaliser -- 17 minutes. I know most of the

players here and I was coming into a team I was confident I would settle

in quickly and the manager was a big attraction because everyone I spoke

to spoke very highly of him and said he was a great man manager and yes,

I just had a good feeling and it has been a good start.

Falkirk's phenomenal run of form has seen them become real contenders in

the Championship, and they took the lead against Livingston. Craig

Sibbald with the cool finish. But in the second half, Livingston

found a way through the Falkirk defence. Liam Buchanan with the goal

for the home side, who lie second bottom of the table.

It is good to get a point here at home, probably our first point for a

good few months, so something to build on so I am hoping we can keep

going and maybe bring one or two extra players in and hopefully start

climbing the league. They didn't create any chances. A long throw in

beaters and it is our own fault we didn't pick up three points. And

here is the Ladbrokes championship table. Hibs are back up into second

place. Rangers play Morton tomorrow, the match is live on BBC sport

sound. At update the St Mirren yesterday, just how impressive were

Hibs? -- Todd update the St Mirren. They were impressive and thoroughly

deserved the points. They dominated most of the match and Liam Henderson

was outstanding in the middle of the park and scored a magnificent free

kick as well. I was really impressed with him, they have a very strong

midfield and they have competition for places all over the pitch.

Anthony Stokes got on the scoresheet, he couldn't really miss.

How big an impact do you see him having at Easter Road? He is a

top-quality striker. They have a plethora of strikers but him and

comings of front together is certainly a front to pairing better

than the division they are in. Stokes has certainly made a very

impressive season for Hibs, they are fighting on three fronts, the league

cup semifinal, the Scottish Cup and the league championship. There is

talk about doing the trouble, do they have the squad to cope with it?

They signed goalkeeper today. And Thompson has come in. Hibs fans

can't believe what is happening, it has been a long time, looking at the

squad and thinking, that looks really good. You mention the

strikers but the midfield looks pretty good as well. He has done a

great job and it is also a very balanced looking squad. There are

goals from lots of different areas. It is an enjoyable place to go and

watch football, really entertaining the way they are playing and if you

look at what is happening at Rangers, more of the transfers that

are coming into the Championship than what is happening in the

Premier Magda Linette SPFL. Falkirk, you could see the disappointment on

the manager's face, but they are in the mix. They are, I think Pearson's

disappointment will be have the goal came about, a long throw in that

bounces twice and should have been dealt with and that will get him

annoyed but they have been ever so consistent and I think the like --

they like the fact that nobody talks about them, it is always Hibs and

Rangers and they are under the radar and every bit as good as the other

two. Falkirk against rages next weekend, that will be massive at

Ibrox. -- against Rangers. I have no doubt there will be some big ones

that fall here and there and the likes of Falkirk, Hibs and Rangers,

they think they will win all of the games but the other teams will be

looking to take some scalps and we will see if they can. The strongest

team will win but I think it is between Rangers and Hibs. Thank you,

it has been a pleasure. A massive weekend of League Cup semifinal next

weekend. From all of us on the sports -- Sportscene team, goodbye.