:00:09. > :00:38.Good evening, and welcome to Sportscene.
:00:39. > :00:42.Every weekend, there's more twists and turns
:00:43. > :00:46.Tonight on Sportscene, it's no different.
:00:47. > :00:49.The big twist on the show tonight is that Michael Stewart
:00:50. > :00:54.Darren Jackson on standby as technical support.
:00:55. > :00:56.We begin in Dingwall, where Dundee United were looking
:00:57. > :00:59.to make good on Darren Jackson's guarantee that they would
:01:00. > :01:02.Before the match, County honoured the side that won
:01:03. > :01:26.Two changes to the Ross County team. Two changes to the Dundee United
:01:27. > :01:58.team as well. 1-0 Dundee United! And the Captain
:01:59. > :02:08.picks up where he picked up last weekend at a 30 yard shot. A header
:02:09. > :02:08.from the set piece this time, equally invaluable.
:02:09. > :02:27.Dundee United are ahead. It was a cushioned header from
:02:28. > :02:30.Durnan. Back to the goalkeeper Kawashima.
:02:31. > :02:42.Ross County are looking to get back on level terms.
:02:43. > :02:56.Fraser groups around the outside. Durnan keeps it alive. 90 minutes
:02:57. > :03:00.from -- 19 minutes from time, 2- 02 Dundee United, are they on their way
:03:01. > :03:03.to three priceless points, it looks that way.
:03:04. > :03:07.Graeme trying to block the chance. that way.
:03:08. > :03:11.All he could do was put the ball in the net. United on two goals in
:03:12. > :03:23.front. Graeme had the chance to get a goal
:03:24. > :03:27.back for Ross County. It is heads in hands time. A really good stop by
:03:28. > :03:44.Kawashima with his left boot. It came off Spittal, that of his own
:03:45. > :03:50.crossbar. There is a furious appeal for a penalty. John Beaton says no.
:03:51. > :03:53.Spittal was so lucky this did not spin into his own net. And then, the
:03:54. > :04:19.alleged handball against Durnan. The up and under. And Fraser's shop
:04:20. > :04:21.producing a really good save from Fox as Dundee United look to make
:04:22. > :04:40.the point safe here. Dar scores Dundee United's third
:04:41. > :04:45.goal. And, surely now, the United fans can think about celebrating a
:04:46. > :04:58.massive when. And hoping that the great escape might just be possible.
:04:59. > :05:06.That sums up Ross County's day. It has been Dundee United's day,
:05:07. > :05:14.back-to-back wins, could they yet escape from relegation?
:05:15. > :05:19.The players have been excellent, we have always shown a reaction to
:05:20. > :05:25.being a goal behind. Today wasn't our day. We haven't
:05:26. > :05:29.looked like a team like that for a number of weeks. Good for the
:05:30. > :05:34.players. They have improved recently.
:05:35. > :05:38.Throughout the season, it hasn't been good enough. We can only now
:05:39. > :05:43.try our best and keep the performances at this level to win
:05:44. > :05:46.matches. Huge victory for Dundee United
:05:47. > :05:50.against Ross County. Last time you are on the show comment you famously
:05:51. > :05:53.said you guaranteed Dundee United would stay up, is that guarantee
:05:54. > :06:02.valid? There is only one guarantee in life.
:06:03. > :06:11.I said, once they get Paton, Erskine, Morris, they won't fit on
:06:12. > :06:14.the pitch. They are massive players. They have a good squad. I was
:06:15. > :06:22.confident in the squad which is why I said that.
:06:23. > :06:26.Now, eight points? Keep going. What do you think? They
:06:27. > :06:35.still have a chance, two fantastic results. To go up there and win 3-0.
:06:36. > :06:41.What they will be very pleased about is a clean sheet. They have not had
:06:42. > :06:46.any luck. You saw it hitting the post and
:06:47. > :06:49.bouncing into the goalkeeper's hands.
:06:50. > :06:53.Fraser, a key player against Ross County, someone you know well from
:06:54. > :06:57.your time at United. Wonderful talent. He had a bad leg
:06:58. > :07:03.break when he was younger and it took a long time to get back.
:07:04. > :07:09.I remember watching him at Airdrie, and all the fans were raving about
:07:10. > :07:14.him. He just had to learn the dirty side of it earlier. Look at his
:07:15. > :07:23.He makes a great one. Tremendously talented. Great passing of the ball.
:07:24. > :07:26.He can see a pass, makes a pass, real quality. Scotty can do anything
:07:27. > :07:31.in the game. For me, there is a huge difference
:07:32. > :07:33.between coming into a side that is doing well, and into a side which is
:07:34. > :07:41.difficult. He has been drafted into a team
:07:42. > :07:45.which hasn't been doing well this season which makes it difficult.
:07:46. > :07:50.He is a boy who can take the ball under pressure. That is what you
:07:51. > :07:52.want in these circumstances. They play Aberdeen midweek.
:07:53. > :07:55.Celtic went into Friday's match at Hamilton knowing that a win
:07:56. > :07:57.would take them nine points clear of Aberdeen,
:07:58. > :07:59.and put the pressure firmly back on the Dons.
:08:00. > :08:13.Eight is a number Martin Canning wants to think about but eight of
:08:14. > :08:19.those starters began at Parkhead five weeks ago.
:08:20. > :08:30.Ronny Deila hands a first League start to isla. Bailey takes over.
:08:31. > :08:34.Kris Commons is back in the Celtic side for the first time since the
:08:35. > :08:43.win at Tannadice. Scott Brown has lost the ball here.
:08:44. > :08:47.Crawford of what a chance! He scored the winner at Celtic Park
:08:48. > :08:52.for Hamilton a year past October. He ought to have done better here. The
:08:53. > :09:01.Accies have had their backs to the wall until now.
:09:02. > :09:15.That is a penalty. What on earth was in Maree thinking about here? He was
:09:16. > :09:18.going away from goal. In Maree felled him inside the box and has
:09:19. > :09:22.giftwrapped a huge chance to go in front.
:09:23. > :09:31.Make that 33 this season. One of the great modern day Celtic
:09:32. > :09:39.strikers. The current number nine. He makes no mistake from the spot.
:09:40. > :09:48.He goes down under the challenge of Boyata who is in trouble.
:09:49. > :09:54.It is a red card. Craig Thomson the referee was in little doubt here.
:09:55. > :09:57.Did Boyata touch the ball? He has gone for a professional foul.
:09:58. > :10:11.The frown on his face. He keeps it out. But already the
:10:12. > :10:23.pendulum is swinging. And it is swinging Hamilton's way.
:10:24. > :10:42.McGovern did his job. It arrived at his feet fortuitously.
:10:43. > :10:50.Mackay-Steven on the rebound. Hamilton holding on a little bit
:10:51. > :10:52.here, Celtic are fashioning Mork chances with ten than they were with
:10:53. > :10:56.11. 11.
:10:57. > :11:01.-- more chances. Plenty of pushing and shoving in the box.
:11:02. > :11:05.Lustig goes to ground and Craig Thomson gives Celtic another spot
:11:06. > :11:09.kick. The challenge on Lustig. They were
:11:10. > :11:14.warned before this. He is all over this weed.
:11:15. > :11:18.Griffiths will have the chance to double the Celtic advantage.
:11:19. > :11:28.A great save from Michael McGovern. He has just helped -- kept Hamilton
:11:29. > :11:31.Academical in this game. Griffiths went the other way this
:11:32. > :11:33.time. McGovern went the same way but a
:11:34. > :11:58.different result. Brophy! It is one apiece. Finally,
:11:59. > :12:02.the numerical advantage counts at New Douglas Park. It is a lovely
:12:03. > :12:08.finish from Brophy which will mean even more to him than the last one
:12:09. > :12:15.which was at Celtic Park in the 81 -- 8-1 defeat.
:12:16. > :12:20.A big chance here as well and Doherty should have been on target.
:12:21. > :12:24.A substitute finding himself in space, blocked by Lustig.
:12:25. > :12:30.The pleasing thing is the first tenants we started on the front
:12:31. > :12:35.foot. We managed to ride it out, we did
:12:36. > :12:41.well defensively, the shape was good. The best chance was with
:12:42. > :12:44.Crawford. Their work rate, it was anything I
:12:45. > :12:49.could expect. We started well and didn't do much
:12:50. > :12:54.in the first half but we got our goal. The second half, things were
:12:55. > :12:59.more open. More difficult with ten men. Even though we had three alone
:13:00. > :13:05.with the goalkeeper. You need to take your chances, when you have ten
:13:06. > :13:14.men. They had maybe a couple. It was disappointing. The most
:13:15. > :13:20.analysed sending-off in the entire season, Boyata.
:13:21. > :13:25.A great point for Hamilton. For you, this was part of a wider story in
:13:26. > :13:29.terms of the Celtic defence. Everyone knows the way Celtic play.
:13:30. > :13:38.It is an open and expansive style. You can see the area they leave.
:13:39. > :13:43.They get their full-backs pushing up. Two plane that that, you need to
:13:44. > :13:49.have central defenders who know how to defend. Boyata is pointing. He
:13:50. > :13:56.has got to see the run of Crawford and step across.
:13:57. > :14:01.This one, again, the gap between the centre halves. Johansen can't empty
:14:02. > :14:06.out that space with such a gap between the centre halves.
:14:07. > :14:10.Boyata, you think he has done well. I have been critical of Boyata on
:14:11. > :14:16.the show before. There's three things he does well.
:14:17. > :14:23.He is offside, he does it very well. You say to players, played to the
:14:24. > :14:30.whistle. He reacted. He got back and got a touch. I don't think that is
:14:31. > :14:35.100% a sending-off. You disagree? You need to take into
:14:36. > :14:39.account he has touched the ball. Also, the fact he has committed a
:14:40. > :14:43.foul on the player. I don't think there is enough of a touch on the
:14:44. > :14:48.ball to ignore the foul which has been committed. You need to say the
:14:49. > :14:52.ball has not been taken off its line, the striker still has the
:14:53. > :14:55.opportunity to get on the ball. The fact his momentum has brought the
:14:56. > :15:00.player down, it is the right decision.
:15:01. > :15:04.Michael is defending the referees, a first!
:15:05. > :15:09.I don't think it is a sending-off. He touches the ball and his momentum
:15:10. > :15:12.isn't near enough to foul him. He slid in and touched the ball.
:15:13. > :15:32.The debate has raged on. McLean their press them, I have been
:15:33. > :15:37.on the end of a 7-1, and 8-1, it is embarrassing. The Celtic defence is
:15:38. > :15:41.too far in the box, they should be squeezed out and I am really
:15:42. > :15:46.impressed with the goal, Brophy is a goal-scorer, see him peeling out
:15:47. > :15:50.whether spaces and he has reacted. That is what the goal-scorer is. I
:15:51. > :15:56.see some people saying it is luck, it is not, it is a great goal. When
:15:57. > :15:59.Hamilton are at their best, every time you watch them, they are
:16:00. > :16:02.playing with high energy and pressing the opposition, pushing
:16:03. > :16:05.them back. Ultimately, the sending-off made a big difference
:16:06. > :16:14.because it is easier to put the pressure onto the opposition but on
:16:15. > :16:16.the flip side, Hamilton still have to perform and they did that. In
:16:17. > :16:19.terms of Celtic, Darren, former Celtic player, at times this season,
:16:20. > :16:25.there does seem to be a lacklustre side to it, not the high octane
:16:26. > :16:29.stuff Celtic fans would like to see. Is that fair comment? It is and it
:16:30. > :16:33.isn't. They'll top of the league, still in one cup, everyone talking
:16:34. > :16:36.about Ronny Deila, will he be there or not? Europe is the big thing, but
:16:37. > :16:39.about Ronny Deila, will he be there they'll top of the league. Is it the
:16:40. > :16:45.football they want to play? Possibly not but they have club football
:16:46. > :16:48.players, Kris Commons, Christie, Mackay Stephen, Armstrong,
:16:49. > :16:53.Griffiths, very good footballers. And they remain out in front and it
:16:54. > :16:54.gave Aberdeen a real boost ahead of their game with set back the lead St
:16:55. > :16:58.with St -- Johnstone. Johnstone's. --
:16:59. > :17:01.13 goals in the previous two meetings between these sides.
:17:02. > :17:03.Hoping for more goals at Pittodrie this weekend was John Barnes.
:17:04. > :17:09.captain Ryan Jack returns after a two-month absence to replace injured
:17:10. > :17:14.Shane Logan at the back and with Adam Rooney sidelined for six weeks,
:17:15. > :17:18.Simon Church is a focal point in attack. Scott Brown makes his first
:17:19. > :17:25.start of the season in midfield for St Johnstone's.
:17:26. > :17:34.The break-up the ball falling for Simon Church. An early chance for
:17:35. > :17:38.Aberdeen. Kenny McLean just didn't have enough to beat Alan Mannus. In
:17:39. > :18:00.the first minute. Great opening. Varies Brown! -- there is. Trying
:18:01. > :18:01.his luck against his namesake in the Aberdeen goal but couldn't find the
:18:02. > :18:12.target. Lovely header from Cummings and
:18:13. > :18:16.Maclean was trying to beat Scott Brown, just didn't have enough
:18:17. > :18:25.elevation to beat the Aberdeen keeper.
:18:26. > :18:34.Cummings with the header. He is looking to hit the target from
:18:35. > :18:35.there, though. Cummings, so far this season, has got six goals to his
:18:36. > :18:50.credit. Church. Excellent defensive header
:18:51. > :18:58.from Simon Lappin to deny Graeme Shinnie at the back post. Church's
:18:59. > :19:03.flick on was about to pick him out. Niall McGinn's corner, Taylor's
:19:04. > :19:11.header and Church with the follow up puts Aberdeen in front. 35 minutes
:19:12. > :19:15.played. Alan Mannus did well to pour it away initially but Church was
:19:16. > :19:25.waiting to pounce to claim his second Aberdeen goal.
:19:26. > :19:29.Knocked in by Reynolds and Church was trying to get a touch but the
:19:30. > :19:39.goalkeeper stood firm. Aberdeen have lost only four of the
:19:40. > :19:50.last 36 home matches, two of them to St Johnstone. Church, good save by
:19:51. > :19:56.Alan Mannus. And Church is leading the Aberdeen attack well in the
:19:57. > :20:00.absence of Adam Rooney. Aberdeen desperate for the victory that can
:20:01. > :20:03.see them close the gap on Celtic at the top.
:20:04. > :20:15.Miskick by Taylor. Setup for Craig. The referee is pointing to the spot.
:20:16. > :20:19.It's a penalty to St Johnstone. The Aberdeen players believe that Liam
:20:20. > :20:27.Craig dived. Was there contact in the challenge? The referee said
:20:28. > :20:33.there was. It is Craig levelling it up for St Johnstone. It is Liam
:20:34. > :20:39.Craig's second from the spot this season, his fourth goal all told.
:20:40. > :20:45.And with less than two minutes left to play, it is one of these. But the
:20:46. > :20:49.game to play at the way it did is extremely disappointing from our
:20:50. > :20:53.point of view and as I say, it is not for me to beat up referees, he
:20:54. > :20:58.has called it because he thinks it is a penalty, so I can't be certain,
:20:59. > :21:03.having seen it again, but if it is a penalty, it is disappointing we
:21:04. > :21:06.allowed that situation to arise. The first goal was important in any game
:21:07. > :21:10.and unfortunately, we have been losing the first goal too often this
:21:11. > :21:16.season but particularly here, where it is nil-nil, the crowd can get a
:21:17. > :21:19.bit agitated the longer it goes and that gave Aberdeen a lift and you
:21:20. > :21:22.saw in the second-half performance the number of opportunities and the
:21:23. > :21:26.amount of pressure they put us under but we defended really well as a
:21:27. > :21:32.team, the two centre halves did their job well today and headed a
:21:33. > :21:35.lot of dangerous crosses away. The penalty clearly the big talking
:21:36. > :21:39.point but Michael, you want to focus on something that happened before
:21:40. > :21:42.that. Have a look at this incident, there is no doubt the penalty
:21:43. > :21:47.incident is the talking point, but this happened just a minute or two
:21:48. > :21:51.before what led to the penalty and I just want to bring it up because a
:21:52. > :21:54.lot of things go on in a game of football that you have no control
:21:55. > :21:58.over, but when you have a free kick and the ball is stationary, it gives
:21:59. > :22:03.you a good opportunity to set things up and for Aberdeen, there is only
:22:04. > :22:06.four minutes to go before the final whistle, it gives you the chance to
:22:07. > :22:12.run down the clock and waste a bit of time. You see Ash Taylor here, he
:22:13. > :22:19.is making a run to go up and get into the box for a free kick from
:22:20. > :22:22.Kenny McLean, and there is a great run here behind. It gives Kenny
:22:23. > :22:29.McLean an option, what is he going to do? Play it down the line wait
:22:30. > :22:32.for Taylor to get into the box? For me, personally, you waste as much
:22:33. > :22:36.time as possible and get the guy into the box but if you played them
:22:37. > :22:42.the line, it has to be played long. I don't think it is even experience,
:22:43. > :22:47.you look at Kenny, he has reacted to a great run from right. The only
:22:48. > :22:52.criticism is he has not overheated. If it goes out for a goal kick, you
:22:53. > :22:59.get everyone back and you are set up. He has not overheat it. And that
:23:00. > :23:05.would give Ash Taylor the chance to get back. You have two against two
:23:06. > :23:09.at the back, they leave the ball, and they get their shot, it doesn't
:23:10. > :23:13.come to anything but it creates the atmosphere of nervousness in the
:23:14. > :23:17.stadium. Aberdeen have seen out nine games, winning nine games by a
:23:18. > :23:21.single goal this season, which takes a lot of mental strength and mental
:23:22. > :23:24.single goal this season, which takes energy. It gets the crowd anxious
:23:25. > :23:28.and it gets onto the pitch with not long to go. A few bits and pieces
:23:29. > :23:34.before the penalty incident you wanted to focus on. These individual
:23:35. > :23:37.things are not in themselves horrendous, but again, for me, it
:23:38. > :23:44.just creates that atmosphere within the stadium. This is only a personal
:23:45. > :23:48.view but I don't want my full-back coming into these areas in the
:23:49. > :23:53.middle of the park to win headers and the reason is look at this huge
:23:54. > :23:58.space that is vacated by full-back when they into that area.
:23:59. > :24:04.Ultimately, it doesn't get exploited, but what I would want is
:24:05. > :24:09.this guy, my centre half to go and dominate and win the ball and then
:24:10. > :24:13.what happens is you have your full-back who deepens and narrows
:24:14. > :24:17.and your other centre half deepens and narrows and takes out any gaps
:24:18. > :24:23.in the backline. In an ideal world, you could be right but it is two
:24:24. > :24:28.minutes to go. The left back has made a decision and if I am Derek, I
:24:29. > :24:33.am happy with that, he has gone and won the ball, I have a back for
:24:34. > :24:37.covering two. The ride back and see the left winger and my two defensive
:24:38. > :24:42.midfield players can see the St Johnstone midfield. In itself, it is
:24:43. > :24:48.not a big mistake, it might not even be a mistake but the point is it is
:24:49. > :24:52.the first of what transpires to be for raw five that lead to the
:24:53. > :24:57.penalty being given away, because he is in a half position, he doesn't
:24:58. > :25:02.know whether to commit or drop off. Reynolds is on his heels, Taylor
:25:03. > :25:05.slashes it, fourth mistake, Brian Jack is caught on a two against one
:25:06. > :25:14.and he takes a step in field and it allows Craig enough space to get
:25:15. > :25:19.outside. That is a mistake, if he doesn't take the step inside, he
:25:20. > :25:27.should tell his midfielder, I'll take the runner, you take the ball.
:25:28. > :25:30.Is it a penalty? He could have got a touch on it but it doesn't look as
:25:31. > :25:36.though the ball goes any faster after he gets a touch on it, but he
:25:37. > :25:39.has made contact. You have to give credit to Liam Craig, he helped the
:25:40. > :25:44.ball on in the centre circle and he didn't stand about, he made the run
:25:45. > :25:49.and he got rewards with the penalty. How big an opportunity missed for
:25:50. > :25:58.Aberdeen? A huge opportunity missed and it is disappointing for them but
:25:59. > :26:01.it is those small things, concentration late in the game and
:26:02. > :26:04.if they are going to win in the title, they have to get every one of
:26:05. > :26:05.those right. I can understand the referee giving that but it is hard
:26:06. > :26:07.Time for a Rewind. to take.
:26:08. > :26:10.And this week we pay tribute to a true legend.
:26:11. > :26:12.Next Friday, Scotland's greatest ever player picks up his bus pass.
:26:13. > :26:21.I know you like top of the Pops, Kenny, and you have a particular
:26:22. > :26:32.like to see Funky Music. like to see Funky Music.
:26:33. > :26:36.# Play that funky music, wideboy... In the midfield, Kenny Dalglish and
:26:37. > :26:44.he lets fly. There he is again. What a goal.
:26:45. > :27:06.Dalglish! It is Dalglish, in fact, it is a goal! Michael Stewart had
:27:07. > :27:07.his birthday on Friday, we will bring you that montage some other
:27:08. > :27:08.time! In a moment, we'll see how
:27:09. > :27:10.Motherwell fared at home But first, we're off to Dens Park
:27:11. > :27:14.where Dundee hosted Inverness. Sixth versus seventh,
:27:15. > :27:30.and a place in the top six on offer. The 15th of January 2005, the last
:27:31. > :27:33.time that they had managed their win over Inverness Caley Thistle on the
:27:34. > :27:37.business and in the 13th minute of this meeting, Inverness were on the
:27:38. > :27:42.front foot once more. Ross Draper with the sure-footedness to finish
:27:43. > :27:49.and Dundee, as so often the case in this fixture, with it all to do.
:27:50. > :27:53.Thankfully for the dark blues these days, they have the potency up front
:27:54. > :27:57.to turn things around. Greg Stewart with the effort from range with his
:27:58. > :28:04.trusty left foot. Just wide of the target.
:28:05. > :28:09.On a run of six games without defeat, Dundee were never going to
:28:10. > :28:17.give up on proceedings. Gary Harkins' tenacity set up a chance
:28:18. > :28:26.the Greg Stewart, but he failed to hit the target. But Dundee would
:28:27. > :28:29.keep trying. Some great interplay between Kane Hemmings and Nick Ross
:28:30. > :28:37.gave Hemmings a great chance but Fon-Williams saved well. And soon
:28:38. > :28:41.after, some more slick interplay between the Dundee forward land in
:28:42. > :28:48.Rory Loy, to get a shot away, but again, Fon-Williams stood firm --
:28:49. > :28:53.allowed in Rory Loy. A misplaced header then looked certain to give
:28:54. > :28:57.Greg Stewart the chance to finally score the Dundee equaliser, but
:28:58. > :29:03.Fon-Williams did it again and even managed to the Greg Stewart a degree
:29:04. > :29:05.of sympathy. A great day for the Welsh international goalkeeper
:29:06. > :29:11.finally came to an end with four minutes left to play. Kane Hemmings
:29:12. > :29:16.with the final touch, his 20th goal of the season in 30 appearances as
:29:17. > :29:22.it finished 1-1. Dundee are now unbeaten in seven matches. I thought
:29:23. > :29:27.the first ten minutes, we didn't start well but overall, second half,
:29:28. > :29:32.we were terrific. We could have won that game 5-1 today, we had
:29:33. > :29:38.fantastic chances. On another day, Eubank Greg Stewart and Kane
:29:39. > :29:42.Hemmings scoring a few more goals -- you bank. But the team never gave
:29:43. > :29:46.up, they kept going and I thought we were brilliant second-half, some of
:29:47. > :29:49.the combinations were excellent. To be honest, I felt Dundee did enough
:29:50. > :29:54.to win the game and to get away with the result and appoint, yes, you
:29:55. > :29:56.will take that. To lose a goal so late on and maybe Nick all three, a
:29:57. > :30:15.little bit frustrating. Moult looked to put them ahead early
:30:16. > :30:24.on but his effort was ruled out. McDonald straying offside. But his
:30:25. > :30:29.time would come. In the battle of experience there
:30:30. > :30:39.was only going to be one winner between Lasley and Nesbitt. A harsh
:30:40. > :30:42.lesson for Nesbitt on his third senior appearance.
:30:43. > :30:46.Moult put the ball in the net for a second time but this time it
:30:47. > :30:53.counted. 1-0 to Motherwell. Thistle were
:30:54. > :30:59.offering little in response and only the crossbar save them from going
:31:00. > :31:05.2-0 down. The let off was temporary as
:31:06. > :31:07.McDonald set up Moult to fire home his second.
:31:08. > :31:20.Proving too much to handle for Thistle. A sublime reverse pass.
:31:21. > :31:25.The traffic was one way and the visitors allowed Johnson space into
:31:26. > :31:28.the penalty area and they paid the price.
:31:29. > :31:32.A fine individual goal from the former Kidderminster man. It
:31:33. > :31:40.deserved third for Motherwell. McDonald almost grabbed the goal but
:31:41. > :31:44.was thwarted by a decent stop from the goalkeeper.
:31:45. > :31:49.Thistle had one last blast for respectability.
:31:50. > :31:55.But it owed more to a lapse of concentration.
:31:56. > :31:56.A first win at home in 2016 for Motherwell moving them up to ninth
:31:57. > :32:05.in the table. In this division we are raw kid will
:32:06. > :32:10.of winning and losing against each other.
:32:11. > :32:16.Motherwell deserved the lead albeit through a penalty. It was
:32:17. > :32:28.disappointing, the pitch. Had more urgency today. Dundee with
:32:29. > :32:38.that draw against Caley Thistle. A huge week for them, they play
:32:39. > :32:41.Celtic. Great interplay from the Dundee
:32:42. > :32:48.forwards. They need to sharpen off on the finishing.
:32:49. > :32:59.I have a lot of respect for Stewart. The front for a very good. They
:33:00. > :33:04.cause problems. Paul was trying to fit Harkins into the team.
:33:05. > :33:13.He has wonderful talent. He will see runs.
:33:14. > :33:17.The interplay was a joy to watch. When you play guys in the forward
:33:18. > :33:22.area like that, their interplay is so quick. It is impossible to
:33:23. > :33:27.defend. Human nature is your right gets attracted to the ball. When the
:33:28. > :33:30.movement is so quick and interplay so good, it is difficult to defend.
:33:31. > :33:42.Dundee have that in abundance. Interesting match against Rangers
:33:43. > :33:50.next weekend in the Scottish Cup. Food you make favourites?
:33:51. > :33:54.It is very hard. Rangers at home are very strong. They have come up
:33:55. > :34:00.against Premiership teams this year and have drawn.
:34:01. > :34:03.A hard game. Hard to call. With that front for, you know there will cause
:34:04. > :34:08.Rangers problems. That is where that game will be one
:34:09. > :34:13.lost. Rangers will have a lot of position but with that front for,
:34:14. > :34:21.that is their weakness. Fascinated to see who gets the upper hand.
:34:22. > :34:22.Credit to Motherwell, McDonald central to proceedings, playing
:34:23. > :34:32.alongside Moult and Johnson. The perfect front three. They have
:34:33. > :34:39.the perfect front three. A striker who wants to play within the six
:34:40. > :34:46.yard box. A player who wants to come to the ball and link the play. And
:34:47. > :34:50.Martin Johnson who has pace. Scott McDonald is a very clever player.
:34:51. > :34:53.One of those results which encapsulates the bottom half of the
:34:54. > :34:58.Premiership, you're never sure who will come out on top.
:34:59. > :35:03.Martin McGhee was talking about their turn to enjoy the results. I'm
:35:04. > :35:08.sure he wants to make sure it is not as flippant as that.
:35:09. > :35:10.Great play from Scott McDonald. Guys like that in the final third reason
:35:11. > :35:15.you have always a chance to win. This week, Robbie Neilson signed
:35:16. > :35:17.a new contract to keep him Yesterday, they hosted Kilmarnock
:35:18. > :35:20.who's manager Lee Clark Before the game Tynecastle paid
:35:21. > :35:24.tribute to Jim McFadzean, a former player for both clubs
:35:25. > :35:27.and a League winner Five changes to the side that lost
:35:28. > :35:47.at Tannadice. Lee Clarke is looking for his first
:35:48. > :35:59.Premiership win he makes one change to the side against Dundee.
:36:00. > :36:04.Confusion at the heart of the Heart of Midlothian defence.
:36:05. > :36:13.Slater touts his shot wide. A chance in the first minute for Kilmarnock.
:36:14. > :36:24.Didn't have his shooting boots on there. Lee Clarke. Nielsen having
:36:25. > :36:30.signed a new Dawlat year deal. Pushed to the ground by Stuart
:36:31. > :36:36.Findlay, that is a penalty kick. No question about the decision.
:36:37. > :36:41.Arm on his back, he went to ground. Yellow card for Findlay. Saved by
:36:42. > :36:48.McDonald of the post. Looped back in by Jimmy Walker.
:36:49. > :36:56.Hearts are ahead. Relief for Jimmy Walker. Saw his initial effort saved
:36:57. > :36:57.off the post. Then, looped back. Not the best of connections, the spin
:36:58. > :37:13.took it over into the net. Driving into the Kilmarnock camp,
:37:14. > :37:18.support outside from Nicholson, going it alone. Another saved by
:37:19. > :37:21.McDonald. Hearts threatening to go 2-0 up.
:37:22. > :37:34.Another good save. Once again, McDonald to his left.
:37:35. > :37:37.Walker slipped with the follow-up. A good curve on that from Stoute.
:37:38. > :37:51.Another great save from McDonald. Good stills from Nicholson. Another
:37:52. > :37:58.saved from McDonald, stuck out his boot.
:37:59. > :38:07.Good initial skills from Nicholson. Again good work by McDonald.
:38:08. > :38:14.Nicholson with the header, just off the post.
:38:15. > :38:18.How close was that? Great ball by Paddison, Nicholson, and over the
:38:19. > :38:35.post. The shot going wide. Alexander knew
:38:36. > :38:42.that was going wide. A good effort from Ogude Yves.
:38:43. > :38:54.Another chance here for hearts. Findlay clears it off the line.
:38:55. > :38:59.Lifted over the goalkeeper. No one there for hearts to tap the ball
:39:00. > :39:05.home. Another corner kick.
:39:06. > :39:08.Handball and a penalty. Magennis who started off as a goalkeeper, handled
:39:09. > :39:13.that right on the edge of the six yard box.
:39:14. > :39:20.Again, McDonald says it and again from the follow up, fantastic work.
:39:21. > :39:24.On his feet to block the second effort from Nicholson.
:39:25. > :39:36.Alexander punches it clear. Kiltie with the final effort which was
:39:37. > :39:41.blocked. Faubert on as a substitute. All Stoute got in the way.
:39:42. > :39:52.Getting three points against a tough team. A couple of chances to kill
:39:53. > :39:56.the game off. I am pleased with three points. Lots
:39:57. > :40:01.of good things to take from the game, we need results as well.
:40:02. > :40:06.Disappointed with that. Lots of positives to take from it. Some good
:40:07. > :40:11.individual performances today. A good win for hearts. You have to
:40:12. > :40:15.feel sorry for McDonald in the Kilmarnock goal.
:40:16. > :40:19.To go back to your old club and have a performance like that and end up
:40:20. > :40:23.on the losing side is a tough one. A great penalty saved. But there to
:40:24. > :40:30.get the rebound if Walker had struck it better. He shanked it allowed him
:40:31. > :40:35.to get it up and over. He made a number of really good
:40:36. > :40:41.saves. A bitter pill for him to swallow.
:40:42. > :40:45.He is a great shot stopper. He doesn't have great presence
:40:46. > :40:57.standing in his goal, but Nielsen has signed a new contract,
:40:58. > :41:03.and talked about winning the title. Realistically not this year.
:41:04. > :41:07.A tough task. This is great with what we have been seeing at
:41:08. > :41:11.Aberdeen, creates the feeling it can be done. There is no reason for
:41:12. > :41:19.hearts and Robbie to look at that and say, why can we not?
:41:20. > :41:25.Lee Clarke has a task on his hands. It is very hard when you are losing
:41:26. > :41:32.games. He had a great grounding down south, in Huddersfield. At
:41:33. > :41:35.Birmingham and that feel -- Blackpool.
:41:36. > :41:40.He will give it his best shot. Reports of racial abuse directed at
:41:41. > :41:44.Magennis, police are appealing for witnesses.
:41:45. > :41:47.Time for a look at the Ladbrokes Premiership table.
:41:48. > :41:49.The gap at the top remains six points, with Celtic and Aberdeen
:41:50. > :41:53.St Johnstone are back in fourth place, while Motherwell climb two
:41:54. > :41:55.places thanks to that win over Partick Thistle.
:41:56. > :41:58.Dundee United have now got the gap down
:41:59. > :42:03.Could it yet be a hugely dramatic escape for the Tannadice side?
:42:04. > :42:05.Almost time to look at the Championship.
:42:06. > :42:07.But first, a look ahead to a massive few days
:42:08. > :42:32.Sportscene's here on Saturday night at 10:20 on BBC One Scotland,
:42:33. > :42:33.with highlights from Rangers' clash with Dundee.
:42:34. > :42:37.final between Ross County and Dundee United.
:42:38. > :42:39.On Sunday afternoon, join Rob Maclean and guests
:42:40. > :42:43.on BBC One, for live coverage of Hibernian's clash with holders
:42:44. > :42:46.And we'll be back, regular as clockwork, on Sunday night,
:42:47. > :42:50.to recap the weekend's action in the Cup and Premiership.
:42:51. > :42:52.To the race for the Championship now.
:42:53. > :42:55.Rangers began the weekend with an eight-point lead at the top
:42:56. > :43:17.Two changes for Rangers. Miller is into the starting XI, so is Law.
:43:18. > :43:31.Two changes as well to the St Mirren team which beat Dumbarton.
:43:32. > :43:42.Setting off on a trademark run, finding Miller.
:43:43. > :43:50.Who goes very close to putting them in front.
:43:51. > :43:59.Oh how the Rowe is tormenting St Mirren. Webster with the challenge,
:44:00. > :44:05.and down he went, although he did jump to his feet very quickly.
:44:06. > :44:11.The fans behind the goal are screaming for a penalty here.
:44:12. > :44:14.They certainly locked arms, the pair of them, a tug at the shirt. Down he
:44:15. > :44:27.went. No penalty.
:44:28. > :44:36.Driving forward again. In four Miller. What a mess. Oh, dear. I'm
:44:37. > :44:39.sure he is saying something a little stronger than that. Can't believe he
:44:40. > :44:56.has scooped this over top. Webster made the challenge, the
:44:57. > :45:00.referee John McKendrick couldn't have been much closer. And he says,
:45:01. > :45:17.no penalty. It's Tavernier, and Lange field
:45:18. > :45:24.makes a good save. Looking for the top corner, not quite finding it,
:45:25. > :45:28.but it is still a good solid save. On the attack, Tavernier. Now
:45:29. > :45:37.Miller. There is king and he has turned it wide. Well, the chances
:45:38. > :45:39.keep on coming for Rangers. And St Mirren putting up stiff resistance,
:45:40. > :45:58.still goalless at Ibrox. It is King and Lange field again
:45:59. > :46:01.getting himself in the way -- Langfield. When King took it wide,
:46:02. > :46:07.always difficult to beat the goalkeeper from that angle. In front
:46:08. > :46:11.Tavernier, into a really good area, no one really attacked it for
:46:12. > :46:13.Rangers. It took an awkward bounce and it needed saving in the end by
:46:14. > :46:26.Langfield. Leaving St Mirren players in his
:46:27. > :46:31.wake, another great run and King on the end of it and again, it is a
:46:32. > :46:35.crucial touch by the St Mirren goalkeeper. Langfield divert this
:46:36. > :46:52.around the post. Interception by O'Halloran. And
:46:53. > :47:00.Harry Forrester! Scores his first Rangers goal in the 86th minute at
:47:01. > :47:05.Ibrox. It is a crucial strike, just when St Mirren thought they were
:47:06. > :47:08.holding on for a point. What was Gary Ervin thinking here? O'Halloran
:47:09. > :47:09.holding on for a point. What was with interception, Harry Forrester
:47:10. > :47:21.with the finish. Stevie Mallan with the free kick. It
:47:22. > :47:23.was never going to beat Wes Fotheringham. And that is going to
:47:24. > :47:26.be that, 1-0, Rangers. Before we discuss it,
:47:27. > :47:29.how did their nearest challengers Hibs were away at Dumbarton hoping
:47:30. > :47:50.for a return to form, After their surprise midweek defeat
:47:51. > :47:53.to Morton, Hibs needed a win to get back into the title race and they
:47:54. > :48:01.threatened to take an early lead through Liam Henderson. The on loan
:48:02. > :48:05.Celtic midfielder crashing a shot off the crossbar. It was the hosts
:48:06. > :48:10.who took the lead in the 20th minute with their first effort on target.
:48:11. > :48:15.Kevin Cawley evaded the attentions of John McGuinness and Barkley
:48:16. > :48:20.before drilling home a 20 yard shot. Finding room between the Hibs
:48:21. > :48:28.midfielders before firing an unstoppable shot. Three minutes
:48:29. > :48:33.before the break, the Sons doubled their advantage when Christian Nade
:48:34. > :48:37.headed home. The goalkeeper came out to intercept the cross but the
:48:38. > :48:43.format Hearts striker nipped in ahead of him to glance home his
:48:44. > :48:52.first role for Dumbarton. Stevie Aitken is' side then further their
:48:53. > :48:59.lead and again, a former Hearts player twisting the knife, but Hibs
:49:00. > :49:03.got themselves back into contention just before the hour with a
:49:04. > :49:07.spectacular goal from Henderson. Linking twice with Stephenson, the
:49:08. > :49:12.midfielder cut in from the left before curling a superb shot into
:49:13. > :49:17.the top corner. It was Henderson's 5th Fleet goal of the season and he
:49:18. > :49:29.won't have scored many better than this effort. -- league goal. The
:49:30. > :49:34.comeback looked well and truly on when they made it 3-2 with 50
:49:35. > :49:39.minutes remaining. Dumbarton failed to clear their lines before El
:49:40. > :49:44.Alagui pounced on the ball. It proved too little too late for Hibs,
:49:45. > :49:49.who have seen their automatic promotion hopes slipping away. We
:49:50. > :49:55.are delighted, but credit to Hibs, at 3-0, a lot of teams would have
:49:56. > :49:59.brought their tail in but they came at us and put us under severe
:50:00. > :50:03.pressure but we managed to hold out. Our record before the last couple of
:50:04. > :50:09.games has been very good and we are just making silly individual errors
:50:10. > :50:14.and unfortunately right now, we are getting punished for them. And after
:50:15. > :50:22.all that, the Ladbrokes championship table looks like this... Rangers are
:50:23. > :50:26.11 points clear now and look at Falkirk, after their victory against
:50:27. > :50:31.Queen of the South, just two points behind Hibs. Raith Rovers were
:50:32. > :50:35.winners against Morton this weekend. It is amazing how quickly things can
:50:36. > :50:41.change in the space of a week. Is that championship title race over? I
:50:42. > :50:45.can't see Rangers losing four games with that goal difference, so I
:50:46. > :50:50.would think it is over but I don't think Alan will push the panic
:50:51. > :50:54.button. They have been exceptional, unbelievable, and I have been at a
:50:55. > :51:00.couple of games, I was there during the week and as he said, they are
:51:01. > :51:06.losing bad goals. Even against Morton, they scored before Morton
:51:07. > :51:11.scored and I thought it was a goal, but losing bad set play is, I
:51:12. > :51:14.thought Paul Hanlon could have matched the run of Christian Nade
:51:15. > :51:20.there, even though the keeper came out but I don't think they should
:51:21. > :51:25.panic, they should be over the moon, they are in a quarterfinal and
:51:26. > :51:29.second in the league. Is it down to a mental thing? Very much so, it is
:51:30. > :51:34.tough, there is a mental fragility when you have come through a long
:51:35. > :51:39.period of not losing games and then they have had a month of really big
:51:40. > :51:43.games, then come down and that combination has taken their foot off
:51:44. > :51:46.the pedal and as Darren says, concentration, you lose sloppy
:51:47. > :51:51.goals, you give yourself an uphill battle and they have not been able
:51:52. > :51:56.to turn it around but echoing what Darren says, they will be more than
:51:57. > :51:59.happy with the season so far. Quick word on Michael O'Halloran, making
:52:00. > :52:05.his debut for Rangers and he is all about direct, quick play. Yes,
:52:06. > :52:11.strong, pacey and I think they have brought him to play with Warokorn in
:52:12. > :52:18.the middle, but he has his injury but he has real pace and strength.
:52:19. > :52:25.Did you think about talking him to United? We spoke to a lot and talked
:52:26. > :52:30.about a lot of players and he is one that we liked, but he is a good
:52:31. > :52:34.player. He will get the ball and he will make things happen for you. He
:52:35. > :52:39.is something different, he gives a real pace and I think when you add
:52:40. > :52:42.that to the Rangers team, it gives them a different threat in the final
:52:43. > :52:47.third and he is definitely going to be a plus for that Rangers team. So
:52:48. > :52:52.as far as you are concerned, the title is in the bag for Rangers? I
:52:53. > :52:54.think so, Darren made a great point, Rangers have to lose more than four
:52:55. > :52:58.games and Hibs have do win everything and I think it is too
:52:59. > :53:02.much, Alan Stubbs has said that. That is the beauty of the play-offs,
:53:03. > :53:06.it gives teams a second bite of the cherry. And a massive weekend for
:53:07. > :53:11.Rangers in terms of the Scottish Cup, they take on Dundee. Michael
:53:12. > :53:13.and Doran at the rate Darren, thank you for tonight.
:53:14. > :53:15.The late Davie Cooper would've been 60 years old this week.
:53:16. > :53:17.A true Scottish football great, greatly missed, who lit
:53:18. > :53:45.He has scored. Cooper equalises for Rangers.
:53:46. > :53:59.Johnson is in, here is Cooper with a chance. It's a goal. Davie Cooper!
:54:00. > :54:02.Davie Cooper, 1-0.