0:00:19 > 0:00:22For Celtic, the title countdown continues. For Rangers, the painful
0:00:22 > 0:00:28process of job cuts is days away. For some, the European dream
0:00:28 > 0:00:31beckons. For others, survival is at stake. The latest SPL action is
0:00:31 > 0:00:34coming your way. And Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan is here.
0:00:34 > 0:00:44His team were at Celtic Park yesterday after both were Wednesday
0:00:44 > 0:00:44
0:00:44 > 0:01:45Apology for the loss of subtitles for 60 seconds
0:01:45 > 0:01:50Neil Lennon with the luxury of He was brave. It has gone quiet
0:01:50 > 0:02:00around Celtic Park. The home support is waiting patiently for a
0:02:00 > 0:02:00
0:02:00 > 0:04:15Apology for the loss of subtitles for 60 seconds
0:04:16 > 0:04:25the main stand. Motherwell under Randolph. He sensed the danger and
0:04:26 > 0:04:26
0:04:26 > 0:05:48Apology for the loss of subtitles for 60 seconds
0:05:48 > 0:05:53minutes from time to ask any You were on the bench and had a
0:05:53 > 0:05:57good look at the game. Were Motherwell happy because you are
0:05:57 > 0:06:03competitive at Celtic Park or frustrated because can --
0:06:03 > 0:06:08creatively you didn't do enough? There is a fine line. You have to
0:06:08 > 0:06:16find a balance between keeping in the game as long as you can.
0:06:16 > 0:06:23Sometimes it's detrimental with regards to your attacking play. We
0:06:23 > 0:06:31kept the ball, and tapped things over but the last two times we have
0:06:31 > 0:06:39been to Celtic Park we have lost 5- 0 and 4-0. When you miss the
0:06:39 > 0:06:44creative spark, the players scored 19 goals in the last few games,
0:06:44 > 0:06:52Celtic are tough to break down. Gary Hooper was getting stick at
0:06:52 > 0:06:56times from Neil Lennon but then he pops up and does this. The back
0:06:56 > 0:07:03Ford didn't really have a huge impact. They dig through the goal
0:07:03 > 0:07:07but with regard open play and set pieces, the team defended well.
0:07:07 > 0:07:12They are at Celtic Park and when a chance comes along, they are on
0:07:12 > 0:07:20their toes and Hooper is just that. You can't afford to switch off.
0:07:20 > 0:07:26They can't. They have worked hard and are doing well. I think the
0:07:26 > 0:07:33all-round game was excellent and Hutchinson also. You have to ask
0:07:33 > 0:07:40questions and keep possessions and the boy did that. The vital
0:07:40 > 0:07:44statistics are impressive. 20 domestic wins in a row, a massive
0:07:44 > 0:07:48turnaround taking into account the 10 point deduction for being in
0:07:48 > 0:07:53administration. All that time without losing a goal. They have
0:07:53 > 0:08:00even overtaken one of Martin O'Neill's records which is maybe an
0:08:00 > 0:08:06ultimate plaudit. The whole perception of him as a manager has
0:08:06 > 0:08:13changed, hasn't it? Yes. Way he has come from as the manager, taking on
0:08:13 > 0:08:20a big job, it must be the hardest gig ever. As a former player he has
0:08:20 > 0:08:25things to live up to. He has grown into the job, looked more relaxed
0:08:25 > 0:08:31and I think he has a good balance in the squad. They are valuable and
0:08:31 > 0:08:40he could sell them on but they are hungry and want to do well. All is
0:08:40 > 0:08:45looking good for him. Charlie Mulgrew is in the squad. What a
0:08:45 > 0:08:50week he has had. The armband yesterday. He goes from strength to
0:08:50 > 0:08:57strength. When he signed 18 months ago, some people raise their
0:08:57 > 0:09:01eyebrows but he has been given an opportunity to express himself and
0:09:01 > 0:09:09progress his career at Celtic. Not many players get the opportunity to
0:09:09 > 0:09:16come back but he did and he has grasped it, playing left midfield
0:09:16 > 0:09:21and testament to him, he has been called up for Scotland. He can make
0:09:21 > 0:09:26passes and set up attacks. Credit to him. Is he a contender for
0:09:26 > 0:09:36Player of the season? He has to be. There is not a real stand-out this
0:09:36 > 0:09:36
0:09:36 > 0:09:44year. No one has scored up to 30 or 35 goals. Johnny has built up into
0:09:44 > 0:09:49it. Yesterday was disappointing for Motherwell. Up until then, unbeaten
0:09:49 > 0:09:54in seven. Some good wins and building up a head of steam in
0:09:54 > 0:10:00getting close to Rangers. Yes, vital wins. There was a sticky
0:10:01 > 0:10:05spell at the start of January. Hearts over to focus and St
0:10:05 > 0:10:11Johnstone close the gap. We have played St Johnstone and beat them
0:10:11 > 0:10:18at home and Hearts at home and Hibs in the week. With two games and
0:10:18 > 0:10:28hand in the start if -- at the start to Janet, we won them both.
0:10:28 > 0:10:29
0:10:29 > 0:10:34There is a spark at the right time. He has lifted the supporters.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39it the day and today cooled the Champions League tat? That was
0:10:39 > 0:10:45everyone else asking questions. They have played themselves into
0:10:45 > 0:10:50the position where people will ask that question. It is right to ask
0:10:50 > 0:10:55us is the Champions League possible. We have had banter about it but our
0:10:55 > 0:10:58first rain -- aim is top six. crisis-hit Rangers kicked off in
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Inverness today 23 points adrift of Celtic and only three ahead of
0:11:02 > 0:11:12Motherwell. Ally McCoist & Co looking to bounce back from their
0:11:12 > 0:11:16
0:11:16 > 0:11:26first Ibrox defeat of the SPL fans so then -- show their
0:11:26 > 0:11:37
0:11:37 > 0:11:47solidarity with the club. An early Billy MacKay was included from the
0:11:47 > 0:11:57
0:11:57 > 0:12:07start as well. Troubled Rangers had so disappointing defeat at home to
0:12:07 > 0:12:24
0:12:24 > 0:12:34the touch. Just the start Rangers would have wanted. Particularly
0:12:34 > 0:12:34
0:12:34 > 0:14:06Apology for the loss of subtitles for 60 seconds
0:14:06 > 0:14:16Little. The angle was against him. But he beat biggy -- goalkeeper at
0:14:16 > 0:14:52
0:14:52 > 0:15:02Here is Williams with the header. there. A deep bolt from Sone Aluko.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06
0:15:06 > 0:15:16Off the line. -- deep ball. Inverness survived for now you. It
0:15:16 > 0:15:24
0:15:24 > 0:15:30was headed off the line. Good play from Little. He checks that he is
0:15:30 > 0:15:40on side and McCulloch celebrates on side and McCulloch celebrates
0:15:40 > 0:15:53
0:15:53 > 0:16:03on his face. Just keeping ate end. It is away from Perry. That is a
0:16:03 > 0:16:06
0:16:06 > 0:16:14good ball. McGregor was offside. -- he was offside, McGregor was not to
0:16:14 > 0:16:24know that. McGregor denied him. Not the best of afternoons for Terry
0:16:24 > 0:16:30Butcher. Not a great corner kick. The ball bounces on the other side
0:16:30 > 0:16:40of the bar. Cleared away. Let's take another look. That looks like
0:16:40 > 0:16:59
0:16:59 > 0:17:06it was over the line, should have Was the shock factor is still very
0:17:06 > 0:17:11much involved seven days ago? Looking at today's performance and
0:17:11 > 0:17:16result you could probably say yes. It would be interesting to know how
0:17:16 > 0:17:23much they trained before last week's game. There was so much
0:17:23 > 0:17:29going on at Ibrox. I just wonder how much they trained and how much
0:17:29 > 0:17:34focus was on the Kilmarnock game. That is not taking anything away
0:17:34 > 0:17:42from Kilmarnock. I think Rangers will have been glad to get last
0:17:42 > 0:17:50Saturday out of the way. After today's result I think everyone
0:17:50 > 0:17:57feels better. Sami Turk has been around that Rangers for a while and
0:17:57 > 0:18:03he did not do himself any harm. seems to have been a cult hero at
0:18:03 > 0:18:08Ibrox and he has only played here and there. Today he got his first
0:18:08 > 0:18:13start and an opportunity to show what he is all about. Having had a
0:18:13 > 0:18:19hand in a few of the goals he showed he can be a useful player.
0:18:19 > 0:18:25If he can do it in upcoming games there could be an opportunity for
0:18:25 > 0:18:35him to stay. Also an important time for and the little in terms of
0:18:35 > 0:18:39
0:18:40 > 0:18:47proving his value at this crucial moment. -- Andy Little. Today was
0:18:47 > 0:18:57an opportunity to express themselves. Author of those players
0:18:57 > 0:18:59
0:18:59 > 0:19:04did a good job today. -- both of those. That man today gave Rangers
0:19:04 > 0:19:09a little bit extra. I suppose Rangers will find out in the middle
0:19:09 > 0:19:13of the week how the administrator plans to make savings. What route
0:19:13 > 0:19:19will be going down, will it be big earners or fringe players who are
0:19:19 > 0:19:24not going to damage the crowd? think they will give Ally McCoist a
0:19:24 > 0:19:30figure he has to work to to get a squad on the pitch and it is then
0:19:30 > 0:19:33up to 10 to decide which players go home. He is the one who has signed
0:19:34 > 0:19:41them and given them contracts and he will have to face them and say
0:19:41 > 0:19:48it is time to go. They have a difficult few days ahead. We have
0:19:48 > 0:19:58the highlights of the match at Perth. St Johnstone verses
0:19:58 > 0:20:12
0:20:12 > 0:20:17Dunfermline looked good for us and Johnston. -- for St Johnstone.
0:20:17 > 0:20:24Murray Davidson almost got his head to this one. St Johnstone would
0:20:24 > 0:20:33keep knocking at the Dunfermline door. Lee Croft back in the
0:20:33 > 0:20:42starting line-up. His header saw Murray Davidson arrive at just the
0:20:42 > 0:20:51right time. His first SPL goal of the season. Two minutes later at St
0:20:51 > 0:20:56Johnstone were setting about Dunfermline again. This was a touch
0:20:56 > 0:21:02of real skill. A breathtaking pass from the Spaniard and Callum
0:21:02 > 0:21:11Davidson with the goal. This is his second spell at the club. His last
0:21:11 > 0:21:16St Johnstone goal was in January 1998. Into the second half and St
0:21:16 > 0:21:25Johnstone continued to look bright and dangerous. Lee Croft showed
0:21:25 > 0:21:29that the or only way was towards the goal of Dunfermline. Could
0:21:29 > 0:21:36Dunfermline give their fans any sort of hope? They were very much
0:21:36 > 0:21:45second best but in the 73rd minute Paul Burns tried his luck and hit
0:21:45 > 0:21:50the back of the net from the range. But just five minutes later, a fine
0:21:50 > 0:22:00display of pace and power from Lee Croft and a brilliant finish pretty
0:22:00 > 0:22:08much finished this game as a contest. This was his second St
0:22:08 > 0:22:18Johnstone goal. A worrying lack of fight from MacIntyre's side. When
0:22:18 > 0:22:27Kelly in Sheridan rocked Boston can it look like things might finish
0:22:27 > 0:22:34differently. It ended 3-1. Certainly they are in the frame for
0:22:34 > 0:22:38a European place. That is a credit to the job Steve Lomas has done.
0:22:38 > 0:22:46think that is key. When he took over the role as and Johnston were
0:22:46 > 0:22:52on a good run. I think the fact that he has not changed much is
0:22:52 > 0:22:59credit to them. He has worked away and kept the players playing. He
0:22:59 > 0:23:03has picked up some good results and to be sitting in 4th, I think he
0:23:03 > 0:23:11said himself that budget wise they should not be where they are. I
0:23:11 > 0:23:14think it is testament to the manager. The three shots of the
0:23:14 > 0:23:20Post showed, as there as a very vibrant and alive Leighs and
0:23:20 > 0:23:24Johnstone side, that Dunfermline were pretty awful yesterday. Their
0:23:24 > 0:23:30own managers suggested after the match that their effort was not
0:23:30 > 0:23:34there. It is tough. When you are losing games sometimes players look
0:23:34 > 0:23:39around each other for inspiration. The manager will be trying to get
0:23:39 > 0:23:45the message across that someone has got to grab the game by the scruff
0:23:45 > 0:23:52of the neck and lead the team on. It is a tough spell for them. They
0:23:52 > 0:23:58are only three points behind Hibs. I think they stand a great chance.
0:23:58 > 0:24:08And now let's see Hibs chance at getting themselves away from the
0:24:08 > 0:24:27
0:24:27 > 0:24:32finish! It is his first goal for Hibs. He finishes really well. He
0:24:32 > 0:24:42cracked it past the keeper. Hibs have been struggling in the SPL,
0:24:42 > 0:24:43
0:24:43 > 0:24:53they are now ahead. It is coupled end and clipped the crossbar. A
0:24:53 > 0:24:58
0:24:58 > 0:25:04lovely effort. It was bending down but just not enough. Behind here
0:25:04 > 0:25:14Hibs move forward. Griffiths has a chance for a 2-0. He did not get
0:25:14 > 0:25:21
0:25:21 > 0:25:27enough power on it. Bail was able to recover. -- bell. The ball pools
0:25:27 > 0:25:37back into the box. A simple header away. That is brilliant from
0:25:37 > 0:25:43
0:25:43 > 0:25:52defects. Bail with the saved again. -- Bell. Great control by the Hibs
0:25:52 > 0:25:58player. It is a good save. breaks down to O'Donovan who finds
0:25:58 > 0:26:06the top corner at the start of the second half. The Hibs fans are
0:26:06 > 0:26:16delighted. It is a first Hibs goal for Roy O'Donovan. He found the top
0:26:16 > 0:26:18
0:26:18 > 0:26:26for Roy O'Donovan. He found the top corner past the stretching keeper.
0:26:26 > 0:26:31Up off the line. Excellent play from Nelson. The defender was there.
0:26:32 > 0:26:41Griffiths has been at the heart of things for Hibs today. That is
0:26:42 > 0:26:42
0:26:42 > 0:26:52deflected. Tom Sawyers is there and it is three. The lead by three
0:26:52 > 0:26:53
0:26:53 > 0:27:03goals to nil. A great finish. Farm were realised the danger but he was
0:27:03 > 0:27:03
0:27:03 > 0:27:13made to pay. Two very unhappy Irishmen. Shiels loses out. Pushed
0:27:13 > 0:27:16
0:27:16 > 0:27:26back by Doyle. It is a pretext. Shiels was taken out. -- it is a
0:27:26 > 0:27:31free-kick. Shiels! Great finish! This may only be a consolation but
0:27:31 > 0:27:41that his great skill. He curled it all the way. The keeper had little
0:27:41 > 0:27:41
0:27:41 > 0:27:50chance. Out wide. Kilmarnock still trying to attack as the ball comes
0:27:50 > 0:28:00across. It is sent behind. Maybe a push in the middle as the header
0:28:00 > 0:28:07was deflected. Kilmarnock saving their best for last. A sliding
0:28:07 > 0:28:15challenge. Once again the ball flicked forward. It came back to
0:28:15 > 0:28:21Wilson. There were a few shouts for a penalty as it was flicked across.
0:28:21 > 0:28:27These two are clearly disagreeing. There might have been a little bump
0:28:27 > 0:28:31in the back but the referee was clearly satisfied. Hibs scored
0:28:32 > 0:28:41three goals at Rugby Park on Wednesday night but they did not
0:28:41 > 0:28:51get anything from that game. Yesterday defensively the look a
0:28:51 > 0:28:52
0:28:52 > 0:28:58whole lot tighter. -- they looked. Yesterday was a huge game for them.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02To see what kind of character of the team has. Maybe the Hibs fans
0:29:02 > 0:29:06and players will tell you they have been lacking a little bit this
0:29:07 > 0:29:11season. The league table does not lie but sometimes you just need
0:29:11 > 0:29:21something to change your fortunes and maybe that has just done it for
0:29:21 > 0:29:25them. Two players scoring their first Hibs goals. It was
0:29:25 > 0:29:34interesting to look at the line-up yesterday and the number of new
0:29:34 > 0:29:39players. Six of the starting 11 brought in on loan or on new deals.
0:29:39 > 0:29:45If you add Leigh Griffiths whose loan was extended, that is seven
0:29:45 > 0:29:54out of 11. On the evidence of yesterday, it is starting to work?
0:29:54 > 0:30:03It is a tough time to bring two players in never mind seven to your
0:30:03 > 0:30:11first 11. Part of me will be hoping that yesterday is something to
0:30:11 > 0:30:15build on. The manager will be trying to build more. He will be
0:30:15 > 0:30:20hoping things started yesterday with that good result and they can
0:30:20 > 0:30:30push on from here. We did wonder if money might be the difference
0:30:30 > 0:30:30
0:30:30 > 0:30:36between Hibs and Dunfermline. Hibs ability to pay wages with Sawers
0:30:36 > 0:30:42coming on loan from the Premier League for example. There are
0:30:42 > 0:30:48constraints and now the Scottish Cup has that as well. There was no
0:30:48 > 0:30:52point in bringing someone in if they did not have the money but
0:30:52 > 0:30:56bringing in players to carry a threat and can do something
0:30:56 > 0:31:02different, sometimes in January or in any window when you can bring a
0:31:02 > 0:31:05player in can give you the spark to do something special. People have
0:31:05 > 0:31:10always been saying they are too good and can climb away but up
0:31:10 > 0:31:17until yesterday the results had not been good enough. People thought
0:31:17 > 0:31:27that Hibs were a good club and needed to win games. The first
0:31:27 > 0:31:29
0:31:29 > 0:31:39match of the SPL weekend wear in Paisley with St Mirren and Aberdeen.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42
0:31:42 > 0:31:52-- was in Paisley. Had that been on target! Sampson is rooted to the
0:31:52 > 0:31:53
0:31:53 > 0:32:00spot! Good effort from the Icelander. It is bought through.
0:32:00 > 0:32:10Good play between the two Aberdeen youngsters. This man made a good
0:32:10 > 0:32:15
0:32:15 > 0:32:25run. They have had four 0-0 goals in their last five games. They earn
0:32:25 > 0:32:25
0:32:25 > 0:33:39Apology for the loss of subtitles for 60 seconds
0:33:39 > 0:33:49and two Jack, the flag is up! That winner in July and Ian Paisley has
0:33:49 > 0:33:58
0:33:58 > 0:34:08done it again. What a pass from 6th of the season. -- Hasselbaink
0:34:08 > 0:34:27
0:34:27 > 0:34:37minute Aberdeen are back on level terms. Scott Vernon so deadly from
0:34:37 > 0:34:42
0:34:42 > 0:34:52either team any good as far as the top six are concerned. A handful of
0:34:52 > 0:34:52
0:34:52 > 0:36:00Apology for the loss of subtitles for 60 seconds
0:36:00 > 0:36:07were 55 goalless minutes and two came along at once. This shows what
0:36:07 > 0:36:15saying Merryn are good at - passing play and a wonderful thing this by
0:36:15 > 0:36:21Hasselbaink. -- wonderful finish. He is good at body strength and the
0:36:22 > 0:36:28last man using his pace. Aberdeen responded immediately. The way news
0:36:28 > 0:36:34caught it is vital to make sure you have the ball away from your goal.
0:36:34 > 0:36:41Unfortunately, they couldn't get it clear up. Vernon always scores
0:36:41 > 0:36:49goals. At times he plays on his own but here he comes up and get a
0:36:49 > 0:36:56point. Aberdeen had been to without a goal so it would have been
0:36:56 > 0:37:01surprising if it had been goalless. A draw didn't suit any of them.
0:37:01 > 0:37:06With five games left, they probably have to win the three or four to
0:37:06 > 0:37:11get themselves in the top six. Both managers will be disappointed. They
0:37:11 > 0:37:15will have to put a run together. There has probably been quite a lot
0:37:15 > 0:37:23of that, just below the top six and teams cancelling themselves out and
0:37:23 > 0:37:29getting nowhere. That is the SPL. Yesterday, at Aberdeen got back but
0:37:29 > 0:37:35the amount of games where the team's cause first and become hard
0:37:35 > 0:37:41to break down, that is what the League is about. Sometimes it can
0:37:41 > 0:37:50be difficult to pick up points. Scott then and's goal rescued a
0:37:50 > 0:37:55point for Aberdeen. He is well on the way to scoring all sorts of
0:37:55 > 0:38:02gulls and he gets an end product. He does. His movement is good as
0:38:02 > 0:38:08well. Here he is always on the end of things and anticipating things.
0:38:08 > 0:38:15As a striker, you can gamble and try to get yourself in position.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19I'm sure Craig would like a bit more support. They still could be
0:38:19 > 0:38:23the difference between Aberdeen at making the top six. When you score
0:38:23 > 0:38:29goals, you have to put up points but he will be disappointed other
0:38:29 > 0:38:39people haven't chipped in. Dundee Utd were looking to maintain
0:38:39 > 0:38:48
0:38:48 > 0:38:58momentum after their midweek the lead. Rankin scores. That is 4-
0:38:58 > 0:39:04
0:39:04 > 0:39:10Dundee United but it was Hearts who began brightly at Tynecastle
0:39:10 > 0:39:17Stadium. With just the one point from the last four games, Hearts
0:39:17 > 0:39:23were trying to shrug off the lake is -- lethargy. Steven Elliott had
0:39:23 > 0:39:28a great chance but the shot was straight at the keeper. From a well
0:39:28 > 0:39:37off floodlit corner, Gunning's deflected header produced a fine
0:39:37 > 0:39:44save. What Donald did well. Peter Hughes done's side not quite at
0:39:44 > 0:39:54their best and Hearts were perhaps the better. But then judge -- Jon
0:39:54 > 0:39:59
0:39:59 > 0:40:09Daly put a them 1-0 in front. His 70th goal of the season. Losing a
0:40:09 > 0:40:35
0:40:35 > 0:40:38couple of players to injury didn't there. The boot of Gavin Gunning
0:40:38 > 0:40:46eventually denied Stephen Elliott. Frustrating for heart and it would
0:40:46 > 0:40:50get worse five minutes from time with Gunning with the goal. Jon
0:40:50 > 0:40:56Daly and a real threat from the dead-ball situations. The three
0:40:56 > 0:41:06points were heading north as the Hearts than -- Hearts fans headed
0:41:06 > 0:41:08
0:41:08 > 0:41:13for the exit. It was very nearly 3- 0. But 2-0 is how it ended end
0:41:13 > 0:41:18United is up to 5th and Hearts slipped to 6th.
0:41:18 > 0:41:23A great month for Dundee United and it was all spiked far -- by the
0:41:23 > 0:41:33Scottish Cup win at Ibrox. Peter would probably tell you that it
0:41:33 > 0:41:38
0:41:38 > 0:41:43will take his -- has taken his side longer to gel. Rankin got a goal.
0:41:43 > 0:41:52There is no coincidence that teams play well when their top players
0:41:52 > 0:41:57are on form. Foray man whose job was in jeopardy, Houston has really
0:41:57 > 0:42:04rebuild the team well. He lost so many big players over the summer.
0:42:04 > 0:42:09It takes a while to gel for a team and he is trying to get in a few
0:42:09 > 0:42:17players in a few months. Football can be fickle and you have to share
0:42:17 > 0:42:21pace since and loyalty. Hearts were third not so very long ago. They it
0:42:21 > 0:42:26over to cure team. What a slump from their one point of a possible
0:42:26 > 0:42:3315. Now they look like they are struggling. It has been turbulent
0:42:33 > 0:42:38for them. All the talk of players leaving and the financial trouble.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42They didn't have a great run of form. They pushed themselves and
0:42:42 > 0:42:46for some reason they seem to have changed. They didn't lose as many
0:42:46 > 0:42:54players as people thought they would lose and they still have a
0:42:54 > 0:42:59good attacking threat. It is surprising but, from being third
0:42:59 > 0:43:05place -- third place to having to fight it could be a blow for them.
0:43:05 > 0:43:10Dundee United are a factor in that as well. They hit form at the right
0:43:10 > 0:43:15time. They have picked up points and are pushing on. They have to
0:43:15 > 0:43:20play teams above them to gain even more points so it is in a good
0:43:20 > 0:43:25position for them. A this is the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. The
0:43:25 > 0:43:3520 point gap at the top Rhys Celtic having nine games to go. Motherwell
0:43:35 > 0:43:56
0:43:56 > 0:44:04bottom. Next weekend looks like Action from five of those games