28/02/2016 Sportscene


28/02/2016

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Good evening, and welcome to Sportscene.

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Every weekend, there's more twists and turns

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Tonight on Sportscene, it's no different.

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The big twist on the show tonight is that Michael Stewart

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Darren Jackson on standby as technical support.

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We begin in Dingwall, where Dundee United were looking

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to make good on Darren Jackson's guarantee that they would

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Before the match, County honoured the side that won

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Two changes to the Ross County team. Two changes to the Dundee United

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team as well. 1-0 Dundee United! And the Captain

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picks up where he picked up last weekend at a 30 yard shot. A header

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from the set piece this time, equally invaluable.

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Dundee United are ahead. It was a cushioned header from

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Durnan. Back to the goalkeeper Kawashima.

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Ross County are looking to get back on level terms.

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Fraser groups around the outside. Durnan keeps it alive. 90 minutes

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from -- 19 minutes from time, 2- 02 Dundee United, are they on their way

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to three priceless points, it looks that way.

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Graeme trying to block the chance. that way.

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All he could do was put the ball in the net. United on two goals in

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front. Graeme had the chance to get a goal

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back for Ross County. It is heads in hands time. A really good stop by

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Kawashima with his left boot. It came off Spittal, that of his own

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crossbar. There is a furious appeal for a penalty. John Beaton says no.

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Spittal was so lucky this did not spin into his own net. And then, the

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alleged handball against Durnan. The up and under. And Fraser's shop

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producing a really good save from Fox as Dundee United look to make

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the point safe here. Dar scores Dundee United's third

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goal. And, surely now, the United fans can think about celebrating a

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massive when. And hoping that the great escape might just be possible.

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That sums up Ross County's day. It has been Dundee United's day,

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back-to-back wins, could they yet escape from relegation?

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The players have been excellent, we have always shown a reaction to

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being a goal behind. Today wasn't our day. We haven't

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looked like a team like that for a number of weeks. Good for the

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players. They have improved recently.

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Throughout the season, it hasn't been good enough. We can only now

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try our best and keep the performances at this level to win

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matches. Huge victory for Dundee United

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against Ross County. Last time you are on the show comment you famously

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said you guaranteed Dundee United would stay up, is that guarantee

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valid? There is only one guarantee in life.

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I said, once they get Paton, Erskine, Morris, they won't fit on

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the pitch. They are massive players. They have a good squad. I was

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confident in the squad which is why I said that.

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Now, eight points? Keep going. What do you think? They

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still have a chance, two fantastic results. To go up there and win 3-0.

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What they will be very pleased about is a clean sheet. They have not had

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any luck. You saw it hitting the post and

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bouncing into the goalkeeper's hands.

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Fraser, a key player against Ross County, someone you know well from

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your time at United. Wonderful talent. He had a bad leg

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break when he was younger and it took a long time to get back.

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I remember watching him at Airdrie, and all the fans were raving about

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him. He just had to learn the dirty side of it earlier. Look at his

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He makes a great one. Tremendously talented. Great passing of the ball.

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He can see a pass, makes a pass, real quality. Scotty can do anything

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in the game. For me, there is a huge difference

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between coming into a side that is doing well, and into a side which is

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difficult. He has been drafted into a team

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which hasn't been doing well this season which makes it difficult.

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He is a boy who can take the ball under pressure. That is what you

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want in these circumstances. They play Aberdeen midweek.

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Celtic went into Friday's match at Hamilton knowing that a win

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would take them nine points clear of Aberdeen,

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and put the pressure firmly back on the Dons.

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Eight is a number Martin Canning wants to think about but eight of

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those starters began at Parkhead five weeks ago.

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Ronny Deila hands a first League start to isla. Bailey takes over.

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Kris Commons is back in the Celtic side for the first time since the

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win at Tannadice. Scott Brown has lost the ball here.

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Crawford of what a chance! He scored the winner at Celtic Park

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for Hamilton a year past October. He ought to have done better here. The

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Accies have had their backs to the wall until now.

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That is a penalty. What on earth was in Maree thinking about here? He was

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going away from goal. In Maree felled him inside the box and has

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giftwrapped a huge chance to go in front.

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Make that 33 this season. One of the great modern day Celtic

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strikers. The current number nine. He makes no mistake from the spot.

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He goes down under the challenge of Boyata who is in trouble.

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It is a red card. Craig Thomson the referee was in little doubt here.

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Did Boyata touch the ball? He has gone for a professional foul.

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The frown on his face. He keeps it out. But already the

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pendulum is swinging. And it is swinging Hamilton's way.

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McGovern did his job. It arrived at his feet fortuitously.

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Mackay-Steven on the rebound. Hamilton holding on a little bit

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here, Celtic are fashioning Mork chances with ten than they were with

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11. 11.

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-- more chances. Plenty of pushing and shoving in the box.

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Lustig goes to ground and Craig Thomson gives Celtic another spot

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kick. The challenge on Lustig. They were

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warned before this. He is all over this weed.

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Griffiths will have the chance to double the Celtic advantage.

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A great save from Michael McGovern. He has just helped -- kept Hamilton

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Academical in this game. Griffiths went the other way this

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time. McGovern went the same way but a

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different result. Brophy! It is one apiece. Finally,

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the numerical advantage counts at New Douglas Park. It is a lovely

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finish from Brophy which will mean even more to him than the last one

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which was at Celtic Park in the 81 -- 8-1 defeat.

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A big chance here as well and Doherty should have been on target.

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A substitute finding himself in space, blocked by Lustig.

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The pleasing thing is the first tenants we started on the front

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foot. We managed to ride it out, we did

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well defensively, the shape was good. The best chance was with

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Crawford. Their work rate, it was anything I

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could expect. We started well and didn't do much

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in the first half but we got our goal. The second half, things were

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more open. More difficult with ten men. Even though we had three alone

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with the goalkeeper. You need to take your chances, when you have ten

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men. They had maybe a couple. It was disappointing. The most

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analysed sending-off in the entire season, Boyata.

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A great point for Hamilton. For you, this was part of a wider story in

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terms of the Celtic defence. Everyone knows the way Celtic play.

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It is an open and expansive style. You can see the area they leave.

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They get their full-backs pushing up. Two plane that that, you need to

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have central defenders who know how to defend. Boyata is pointing. He

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has got to see the run of Crawford and step across.

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This one, again, the gap between the centre halves. Johansen can't empty

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out that space with such a gap between the centre halves.

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Boyata, you think he has done well. I have been critical of Boyata on

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the show before. There's three things he does well.

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He is offside, he does it very well. You say to players, played to the

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whistle. He reacted. He got back and got a touch. I don't think that is

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100% a sending-off. You disagree? You need to take into

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account he has touched the ball. Also, the fact he has committed a

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foul on the player. I don't think there is enough of a touch on the

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ball to ignore the foul which has been committed. You need to say the

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ball has not been taken off its line, the striker still has the

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opportunity to get on the ball. The fact his momentum has brought the

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player down, it is the right decision.

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Michael is defending the referees, a first!

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I don't think it is a sending-off. He touches the ball and his momentum

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isn't near enough to foul him. He slid in and touched the ball.

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The debate has raged on. McLean their press them, I have been

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on the end of a 7-1, and 8-1, it is embarrassing. The Celtic defence is

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too far in the box, they should be squeezed out and I am really

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impressed with the goal, Brophy is a goal-scorer, see him peeling out

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whether spaces and he has reacted. That is what the goal-scorer is. I

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see some people saying it is luck, it is not, it is a great goal. When

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Hamilton are at their best, every time you watch them, they are

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playing with high energy and pressing the opposition, pushing

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them back. Ultimately, the sending-off made a big difference

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because it is easier to put the pressure onto the opposition but on

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the flip side, Hamilton still have to perform and they did that. In

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terms of Celtic, Darren, former Celtic player, at times this season,

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there does seem to be a lacklustre side to it, not the high octane

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stuff Celtic fans would like to see. Is that fair comment? It is and it

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isn't. They'll top of the league, still in one cup, everyone talking

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about Ronny Deila, will he be there or not? Europe is the big thing, but

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about Ronny Deila, will he be there they'll top of the league. Is it the

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football they want to play? Possibly not but they have club football

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players, Kris Commons, Christie, Mackay Stephen, Armstrong,

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Griffiths, very good footballers. And they remain out in front and it

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gave Aberdeen a real boost ahead of their game with set back the lead St

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with St -- Johnstone. Johnstone's. --

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13 goals in the previous two meetings between these sides.

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Hoping for more goals at Pittodrie this weekend was John Barnes.

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captain Ryan Jack returns after a two-month absence to replace injured

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Shane Logan at the back and with Adam Rooney sidelined for six weeks,

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Simon Church is a focal point in attack. Scott Brown makes his first

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start of the season in midfield for St Johnstone's.

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The break-up the ball falling for Simon Church. An early chance for

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Aberdeen. Kenny McLean just didn't have enough to beat Alan Mannus. In

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the first minute. Great opening. Varies Brown! -- there is. Trying

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his luck against his namesake in the Aberdeen goal but couldn't find the

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target. Lovely header from Cummings and

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Maclean was trying to beat Scott Brown, just didn't have enough

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elevation to beat the Aberdeen keeper.

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Cummings with the header. He is looking to hit the target from

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there, though. Cummings, so far this season, has got six goals to his

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credit. Church. Excellent defensive header

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from Simon Lappin to deny Graeme Shinnie at the back post. Church's

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flick on was about to pick him out. Niall McGinn's corner, Taylor's

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header and Church with the follow up puts Aberdeen in front. 35 minutes

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played. Alan Mannus did well to pour it away initially but Church was

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waiting to pounce to claim his second Aberdeen goal.

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Knocked in by Reynolds and Church was trying to get a touch but the

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goalkeeper stood firm. Aberdeen have lost only four of the

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last 36 home matches, two of them to St Johnstone. Church, good save by

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Alan Mannus. And Church is leading the Aberdeen attack well in the

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absence of Adam Rooney. Aberdeen desperate for the victory that can

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see them close the gap on Celtic at the top.

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Miskick by Taylor. Setup for Craig. The referee is pointing to the spot.

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It's a penalty to St Johnstone. The Aberdeen players believe that Liam

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Craig dived. Was there contact in the challenge? The referee said

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there was. It is Craig levelling it up for St Johnstone. It is Liam

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Craig's second from the spot this season, his fourth goal all told.

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And with less than two minutes left to play, it is one of these. But the

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game to play at the way it did is extremely disappointing from our

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point of view and as I say, it is not for me to beat up referees, he

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has called it because he thinks it is a penalty, so I can't be certain,

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having seen it again, but if it is a penalty, it is disappointing we

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allowed that situation to arise. The first goal was important in any game

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and unfortunately, we have been losing the first goal too often this

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season but particularly here, where it is nil-nil, the crowd can get a

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bit agitated the longer it goes and that gave Aberdeen a lift and you

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saw in the second-half performance the number of opportunities and the

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amount of pressure they put us under but we defended really well as a

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team, the two centre halves did their job well today and headed a

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lot of dangerous crosses away. The penalty clearly the big talking

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point but Michael, you want to focus on something that happened before

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that. Have a look at this incident, there is no doubt the penalty

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incident is the talking point, but this happened just a minute or two

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before what led to the penalty and I just want to bring it up because a

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lot of things go on in a game of football that you have no control

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over, but when you have a free kick and the ball is stationary, it gives

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you a good opportunity to set things up and for Aberdeen, there is only

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four minutes to go before the final whistle, it gives you the chance to

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run down the clock and waste a bit of time. You see Ash Taylor here, he

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is making a run to go up and get into the box for a free kick from

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Kenny McLean, and there is a great run here behind. It gives Kenny

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McLean an option, what is he going to do? Play it down the line wait

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for Taylor to get into the box? For me, personally, you waste as much

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time as possible and get the guy into the box but if you played them

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the line, it has to be played long. I don't think it is even experience,

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you look at Kenny, he has reacted to a great run from right. The only

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criticism is he has not overheated. If it goes out for a goal kick, you

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get everyone back and you are set up. He has not overheat it. And that

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would give Ash Taylor the chance to get back. You have two against two

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at the back, they leave the ball, and they get their shot, it doesn't

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come to anything but it creates the atmosphere of nervousness in the

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stadium. Aberdeen have seen out nine games, winning nine games by a

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single goal this season, which takes a lot of mental strength and mental

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single goal this season, which takes energy. It gets the crowd anxious

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and it gets onto the pitch with not long to go. A few bits and pieces

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before the penalty incident you wanted to focus on. These individual

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things are not in themselves horrendous, but again, for me, it

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just creates that atmosphere within the stadium. This is only a personal

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view but I don't want my full-back coming into these areas in the

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middle of the park to win headers and the reason is look at this huge

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space that is vacated by full-back when they into that area.

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Ultimately, it doesn't get exploited, but what I would want is

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this guy, my centre half to go and dominate and win the ball and then

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what happens is you have your full-back who deepens and narrows

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and your other centre half deepens and narrows and takes out any gaps

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in the backline. In an ideal world, you could be right but it is two

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minutes to go. The left back has made a decision and if I am Derek, I

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am happy with that, he has gone and won the ball, I have a back for

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covering two. The ride back and see the left winger and my two defensive

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midfield players can see the St Johnstone midfield. In itself, it is

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not a big mistake, it might not even be a mistake but the point is it is

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the first of what transpires to be for raw five that lead to the

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penalty being given away, because he is in a half position, he doesn't

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know whether to commit or drop off. Reynolds is on his heels, Taylor

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slashes it, fourth mistake, Brian Jack is caught on a two against one

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and he takes a step in field and it allows Craig enough space to get

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outside. That is a mistake, if he doesn't take the step inside, he

:25:15.:25:19.

should tell his midfielder, I'll take the runner, you take the ball.

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Is it a penalty? He could have got a touch on it but it doesn't look as

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though the ball goes any faster after he gets a touch on it, but he

:25:31.:25:36.

has made contact. You have to give credit to Liam Craig, he helped the

:25:37.:25:39.

ball on in the centre circle and he didn't stand about, he made the run

:25:40.:25:44.

and he got rewards with the penalty. How big an opportunity missed for

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Aberdeen? A huge opportunity missed and it is disappointing for them but

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it is those small things, concentration late in the game and

:25:59.:26:01.

if they are going to win in the title, they have to get every one of

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those right. I can understand the referee giving that but it is hard

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Time for a Rewind. to take.

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And this week we pay tribute to a true legend.

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Next Friday, Scotland's greatest ever player picks up his bus pass.

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I know you like top of the Pops, Kenny, and you have a particular

:26:13.:26:21.

like to see Funky Music. like to see Funky Music.

:26:22.:26:32.

# Play that funky music, wideboy... In the midfield, Kenny Dalglish and

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he lets fly. There he is again. What a goal.

:26:37.:26:44.

Dalglish! It is Dalglish, in fact, it is a goal! Michael Stewart had

:26:45.:27:06.

his birthday on Friday, we will bring you that montage some other

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time! In a moment, we'll see how

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Motherwell fared at home But first, we're off to Dens Park

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where Dundee hosted Inverness. Sixth versus seventh,

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and a place in the top six on offer. The 15th of January 2005, the last

:27:15.:27:30.

time that they had managed their win over Inverness Caley Thistle on the

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business and in the 13th minute of this meeting, Inverness were on the

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front foot once more. Ross Draper with the sure-footedness to finish

:27:38.:27:42.

and Dundee, as so often the case in this fixture, with it all to do.

:27:43.:27:49.

Thankfully for the dark blues these days, they have the potency up front

:27:50.:27:53.

to turn things around. Greg Stewart with the effort from range with his

:27:54.:27:57.

trusty left foot. Just wide of the target.

:27:58.:28:04.

On a run of six games without defeat, Dundee were never going to

:28:05.:28:09.

give up on proceedings. Gary Harkins' tenacity set up a chance

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the Greg Stewart, but he failed to hit the target. But Dundee would

:28:18.:28:26.

keep trying. Some great interplay between Kane Hemmings and Nick Ross

:28:27.:28:29.

gave Hemmings a great chance but Fon-Williams saved well. And soon

:28:30.:28:37.

after, some more slick interplay between the Dundee forward land in

:28:38.:28:41.

Rory Loy, to get a shot away, but again, Fon-Williams stood firm --

:28:42.:28:48.

allowed in Rory Loy. A misplaced header then looked certain to give

:28:49.:28:53.

Greg Stewart the chance to finally score the Dundee equaliser, but

:28:54.:28:57.

Fon-Williams did it again and even managed to the Greg Stewart a degree

:28:58.:29:03.

of sympathy. A great day for the Welsh international goalkeeper

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finally came to an end with four minutes left to play. Kane Hemmings

:29:06.:29:11.

with the final touch, his 20th goal of the season in 30 appearances as

:29:12.:29:16.

it finished 1-1. Dundee are now unbeaten in seven matches. I thought

:29:17.:29:22.

the first ten minutes, we didn't start well but overall, second half,

:29:23.:29:27.

we were terrific. We could have won that game 5-1 today, we had

:29:28.:29:32.

fantastic chances. On another day, Eubank Greg Stewart and Kane

:29:33.:29:38.

Hemmings scoring a few more goals -- you bank. But the team never gave

:29:39.:29:42.

up, they kept going and I thought we were brilliant second-half, some of

:29:43.:29:46.

the combinations were excellent. To be honest, I felt Dundee did enough

:29:47.:29:49.

to win the game and to get away with the result and appoint, yes, you

:29:50.:29:54.

will take that. To lose a goal so late on and maybe Nick all three, a

:29:55.:29:56.

little bit frustrating. Moult looked to put them ahead early

:29:57.:30:15.

on but his effort was ruled out. McDonald straying offside. But his

:30:16.:30:24.

time would come. In the battle of experience there

:30:25.:30:29.

was only going to be one winner between Lasley and Nesbitt. A harsh

:30:30.:30:39.

lesson for Nesbitt on his third senior appearance.

:30:40.:30:42.

Moult put the ball in the net for a second time but this time it

:30:43.:30:46.

counted. 1-0 to Motherwell. Thistle were

:30:47.:30:53.

offering little in response and only the crossbar save them from going

:30:54.:30:59.

2-0 down. The let off was temporary as

:31:00.:31:05.

McDonald set up Moult to fire home his second.

:31:06.:31:07.

Proving too much to handle for Thistle. A sublime reverse pass.

:31:08.:31:20.

The traffic was one way and the visitors allowed Johnson space into

:31:21.:31:25.

the penalty area and they paid the price.

:31:26.:31:28.

A fine individual goal from the former Kidderminster man. It

:31:29.:31:32.

deserved third for Motherwell. McDonald almost grabbed the goal but

:31:33.:31:40.

was thwarted by a decent stop from the goalkeeper.

:31:41.:31:44.

Thistle had one last blast for respectability.

:31:45.:31:49.

But it owed more to a lapse of concentration.

:31:50.:31:55.

A first win at home in 2016 for Motherwell moving them up to ninth

:31:56.:31:56.

in the table. In this division we are raw kid will

:31:57.:32:05.

of winning and losing against each other.

:32:06.:32:10.

Motherwell deserved the lead albeit through a penalty. It was

:32:11.:32:16.

disappointing, the pitch. Had more urgency today. Dundee with

:32:17.:32:28.

that draw against Caley Thistle. A huge week for them, they play

:32:29.:32:38.

Celtic. Great interplay from the Dundee

:32:39.:32:41.

forwards. They need to sharpen off on the finishing.

:32:42.:32:48.

I have a lot of respect for Stewart. The front for a very good. They

:32:49.:32:59.

cause problems. Paul was trying to fit Harkins into the team.

:33:00.:33:04.

He has wonderful talent. He will see runs.

:33:05.:33:13.

The interplay was a joy to watch. When you play guys in the forward

:33:14.:33:17.

area like that, their interplay is so quick. It is impossible to

:33:18.:33:22.

defend. Human nature is your right gets attracted to the ball. When the

:33:23.:33:27.

movement is so quick and interplay so good, it is difficult to defend.

:33:28.:33:30.

Dundee have that in abundance. Interesting match against Rangers

:33:31.:33:42.

next weekend in the Scottish Cup. Food you make favourites?

:33:43.:33:50.

It is very hard. Rangers at home are very strong. They have come up

:33:51.:33:54.

against Premiership teams this year and have drawn.

:33:55.:34:00.

A hard game. Hard to call. With that front for, you know there will cause

:34:01.:34:03.

Rangers problems. That is where that game will be one

:34:04.:34:08.

lost. Rangers will have a lot of position but with that front for,

:34:09.:34:13.

that is their weakness. Fascinated to see who gets the upper hand.

:34:14.:34:21.

Credit to Motherwell, McDonald central to proceedings, playing

:34:22.:34:22.

alongside Moult and Johnson. The perfect front three. They have

:34:23.:34:32.

the perfect front three. A striker who wants to play within the six

:34:33.:34:39.

yard box. A player who wants to come to the ball and link the play. And

:34:40.:34:46.

Martin Johnson who has pace. Scott McDonald is a very clever player.

:34:47.:34:50.

One of those results which encapsulates the bottom half of the

:34:51.:34:53.

Premiership, you're never sure who will come out on top.

:34:54.:34:58.

Martin McGhee was talking about their turn to enjoy the results. I'm

:34:59.:35:03.

sure he wants to make sure it is not as flippant as that.

:35:04.:35:08.

Great play from Scott McDonald. Guys like that in the final third reason

:35:09.:35:10.

you have always a chance to win. This week, Robbie Neilson signed

:35:11.:35:15.

a new contract to keep him Yesterday, they hosted Kilmarnock

:35:16.:35:17.

who's manager Lee Clark Before the game Tynecastle paid

:35:18.:35:20.

tribute to Jim McFadzean, a former player for both clubs

:35:21.:35:24.

and a League winner Five changes to the side that lost

:35:25.:35:27.

at Tannadice. Lee Clarke is looking for his first

:35:28.:35:47.

Premiership win he makes one change to the side against Dundee.

:35:48.:35:59.

Confusion at the heart of the Heart of Midlothian defence.

:36:00.:36:04.

Slater touts his shot wide. A chance in the first minute for Kilmarnock.

:36:05.:36:13.

Didn't have his shooting boots on there. Lee Clarke. Nielsen having

:36:14.:36:24.

signed a new Dawlat year deal. Pushed to the ground by Stuart

:36:25.:36:30.

Findlay, that is a penalty kick. No question about the decision.

:36:31.:36:36.

Arm on his back, he went to ground. Yellow card for Findlay. Saved by

:36:37.:36:41.

McDonald of the post. Looped back in by Jimmy Walker.

:36:42.:36:48.

Hearts are ahead. Relief for Jimmy Walker. Saw his initial effort saved

:36:49.:36:56.

off the post. Then, looped back. Not the best of connections, the spin

:36:57.:36:57.

took it over into the net. Driving into the Kilmarnock camp,

:36:58.:37:13.

support outside from Nicholson, going it alone. Another saved by

:37:14.:37:18.

McDonald. Hearts threatening to go 2-0 up.

:37:19.:37:21.

Another good save. Once again, McDonald to his left.

:37:22.:37:34.

Walker slipped with the follow-up. A good curve on that from Stoute.

:37:35.:37:37.

Another great save from McDonald. Good stills from Nicholson. Another

:37:38.:37:51.

saved from McDonald, stuck out his boot.

:37:52.:37:58.

Good initial skills from Nicholson. Again good work by McDonald.

:37:59.:38:07.

Nicholson with the header, just off the post.

:38:08.:38:14.

How close was that? Great ball by Paddison, Nicholson, and over the

:38:15.:38:18.

post. The shot going wide. Alexander knew

:38:19.:38:35.

that was going wide. A good effort from Ogude Yves.

:38:36.:38:42.

Another chance here for hearts. Findlay clears it off the line.

:38:43.:38:54.

Lifted over the goalkeeper. No one there for hearts to tap the ball

:38:55.:38:59.

home. Another corner kick.

:39:00.:39:05.

Handball and a penalty. Magennis who started off as a goalkeeper, handled

:39:06.:39:08.

that right on the edge of the six yard box.

:39:09.:39:13.

Again, McDonald says it and again from the follow up, fantastic work.

:39:14.:39:20.

On his feet to block the second effort from Nicholson.

:39:21.:39:24.

Alexander punches it clear. Kiltie with the final effort which was

:39:25.:39:36.

blocked. Faubert on as a substitute. All Stoute got in the way.

:39:37.:39:41.

Getting three points against a tough team. A couple of chances to kill

:39:42.:39:52.

the game off. I am pleased with three points. Lots

:39:53.:39:56.

of good things to take from the game, we need results as well.

:39:57.:40:01.

Disappointed with that. Lots of positives to take from it. Some good

:40:02.:40:06.

individual performances today. A good win for hearts. You have to

:40:07.:40:11.

feel sorry for McDonald in the Kilmarnock goal.

:40:12.:40:15.

To go back to your old club and have a performance like that and end up

:40:16.:40:19.

on the losing side is a tough one. A great penalty saved. But there to

:40:20.:40:23.

get the rebound if Walker had struck it better. He shanked it allowed him

:40:24.:40:30.

to get it up and over. He made a number of really good

:40:31.:40:35.

saves. A bitter pill for him to swallow.

:40:36.:40:41.

He is a great shot stopper. He doesn't have great presence

:40:42.:40:45.

standing in his goal, but Nielsen has signed a new contract,

:40:46.:40:57.

and talked about winning the title. Realistically not this year.

:40:58.:41:03.

A tough task. This is great with what we have been seeing at

:41:04.:41:07.

Aberdeen, creates the feeling it can be done. There is no reason for

:41:08.:41:11.

hearts and Robbie to look at that and say, why can we not?

:41:12.:41:19.

Lee Clarke has a task on his hands. It is very hard when you are losing

:41:20.:41:25.

games. He had a great grounding down south, in Huddersfield. At

:41:26.:41:32.

Birmingham and that feel -- Blackpool.

:41:33.:41:35.

He will give it his best shot. Reports of racial abuse directed at

:41:36.:41:40.

Magennis, police are appealing for witnesses.

:41:41.:41:44.

Time for a look at the Ladbrokes Premiership table.

:41:45.:41:47.

The gap at the top remains six points, with Celtic and Aberdeen

:41:48.:41:49.

St Johnstone are back in fourth place, while Motherwell climb two

:41:50.:41:53.

places thanks to that win over Partick Thistle.

:41:54.:41:55.

Dundee United have now got the gap down

:41:56.:41:58.

Could it yet be a hugely dramatic escape for the Tannadice side?

:41:59.:42:03.

Almost time to look at the Championship.

:42:04.:42:05.

But first, a look ahead to a massive few days

:42:06.:42:07.

Sportscene's here on Saturday night at 10:20 on BBC One Scotland,

:42:08.:42:32.

with highlights from Rangers' clash with Dundee.

:42:33.:42:33.

final between Ross County and Dundee United.

:42:34.:42:37.

On Sunday afternoon, join Rob Maclean and guests

:42:38.:42:39.

on BBC One, for live coverage of Hibernian's clash with holders

:42:40.:42:43.

And we'll be back, regular as clockwork, on Sunday night,

:42:44.:42:46.

to recap the weekend's action in the Cup and Premiership.

:42:47.:42:50.

To the race for the Championship now.

:42:51.:42:52.

Rangers began the weekend with an eight-point lead at the top

:42:53.:42:55.

Two changes for Rangers. Miller is into the starting XI, so is Law.

:42:56.:43:17.

Two changes as well to the St Mirren team which beat Dumbarton.

:43:18.:43:31.

Setting off on a trademark run, finding Miller.

:43:32.:43:42.

Who goes very close to putting them in front.

:43:43.:43:50.

Oh how the Rowe is tormenting St Mirren. Webster with the challenge,

:43:51.:43:59.

and down he went, although he did jump to his feet very quickly.

:44:00.:44:05.

The fans behind the goal are screaming for a penalty here.

:44:06.:44:11.

They certainly locked arms, the pair of them, a tug at the shirt. Down he

:44:12.:44:14.

went. No penalty.

:44:15.:44:27.

Driving forward again. In four Miller. What a mess. Oh, dear. I'm

:44:28.:44:36.

sure he is saying something a little stronger than that. Can't believe he

:44:37.:44:39.

has scooped this over top. Webster made the challenge, the

:44:40.:44:56.

referee John McKendrick couldn't have been much closer. And he says,

:44:57.:45:00.

no penalty. It's Tavernier, and Lange field

:45:01.:45:17.

makes a good save. Looking for the top corner, not quite finding it,

:45:18.:45:24.

but it is still a good solid save. On the attack, Tavernier. Now

:45:25.:45:28.

Miller. There is king and he has turned it wide. Well, the chances

:45:29.:45:37.

keep on coming for Rangers. And St Mirren putting up stiff resistance,

:45:38.:45:39.

still goalless at Ibrox. It is King and Lange field again

:45:40.:45:58.

getting himself in the way -- Langfield. When King took it wide,

:45:59.:46:01.

always difficult to beat the goalkeeper from that angle. In front

:46:02.:46:07.

Tavernier, into a really good area, no one really attacked it for

:46:08.:46:11.

Rangers. It took an awkward bounce and it needed saving in the end by

:46:12.:46:13.

Langfield. Leaving St Mirren players in his

:46:14.:46:26.

wake, another great run and King on the end of it and again, it is a

:46:27.:46:31.

crucial touch by the St Mirren goalkeeper. Langfield divert this

:46:32.:46:35.

around the post. Interception by O'Halloran. And

:46:36.:46:52.

Harry Forrester! Scores his first Rangers goal in the 86th minute at

:46:53.:47:00.

Ibrox. It is a crucial strike, just when St Mirren thought they were

:47:01.:47:05.

holding on for a point. What was Gary Ervin thinking here? O'Halloran

:47:06.:47:08.

holding on for a point. What was with interception, Harry Forrester

:47:09.:47:09.

with the finish. Stevie Mallan with the free kick. It

:47:10.:47:21.

was never going to beat Wes Fotheringham. And that is going to

:47:22.:47:23.

be that, 1-0, Rangers. Before we discuss it,

:47:24.:47:26.

how did their nearest challengers Hibs were away at Dumbarton hoping

:47:27.:47:29.

for a return to form, After their surprise midweek defeat

:47:30.:47:50.

to Morton, Hibs needed a win to get back into the title race and they

:47:51.:47:53.

threatened to take an early lead through Liam Henderson. The on loan

:47:54.:48:01.

Celtic midfielder crashing a shot off the crossbar. It was the hosts

:48:02.:48:05.

who took the lead in the 20th minute with their first effort on target.

:48:06.:48:10.

Kevin Cawley evaded the attentions of John McGuinness and Barkley

:48:11.:48:15.

before drilling home a 20 yard shot. Finding room between the Hibs

:48:16.:48:20.

midfielders before firing an unstoppable shot. Three minutes

:48:21.:48:28.

before the break, the Sons doubled their advantage when Christian Nade

:48:29.:48:33.

headed home. The goalkeeper came out to intercept the cross but the

:48:34.:48:37.

format Hearts striker nipped in ahead of him to glance home his

:48:38.:48:43.

first role for Dumbarton. Stevie Aitken is' side then further their

:48:44.:48:52.

lead and again, a former Hearts player twisting the knife, but Hibs

:48:53.:48:59.

got themselves back into contention just before the hour with a

:49:00.:49:03.

spectacular goal from Henderson. Linking twice with Stephenson, the

:49:04.:49:07.

midfielder cut in from the left before curling a superb shot into

:49:08.:49:12.

the top corner. It was Henderson's 5th Fleet goal of the season and he

:49:13.:49:17.

won't have scored many better than this effort. -- league goal. The

:49:18.:49:29.

comeback looked well and truly on when they made it 3-2 with 50

:49:30.:49:34.

minutes remaining. Dumbarton failed to clear their lines before El

:49:35.:49:39.

Alagui pounced on the ball. It proved too little too late for Hibs,

:49:40.:49:44.

who have seen their automatic promotion hopes slipping away. We

:49:45.:49:49.

are delighted, but credit to Hibs, at 3-0, a lot of teams would have

:49:50.:49:55.

brought their tail in but they came at us and put us under severe

:49:56.:49:59.

pressure but we managed to hold out. Our record before the last couple of

:50:00.:50:03.

games has been very good and we are just making silly individual errors

:50:04.:50:09.

and unfortunately right now, we are getting punished for them. And after

:50:10.:50:14.

all that, the Ladbrokes championship table looks like this... Rangers are

:50:15.:50:22.

11 points clear now and look at Falkirk, after their victory against

:50:23.:50:26.

Queen of the South, just two points behind Hibs. Raith Rovers were

:50:27.:50:31.

winners against Morton this weekend. It is amazing how quickly things can

:50:32.:50:35.

change in the space of a week. Is that championship title race over? I

:50:36.:50:41.

can't see Rangers losing four games with that goal difference, so I

:50:42.:50:45.

would think it is over but I don't think Alan will push the panic

:50:46.:50:50.

button. They have been exceptional, unbelievable, and I have been at a

:50:51.:50:54.

couple of games, I was there during the week and as he said, they are

:50:55.:51:00.

losing bad goals. Even against Morton, they scored before Morton

:51:01.:51:06.

scored and I thought it was a goal, but losing bad set play is, I

:51:07.:51:11.

thought Paul Hanlon could have matched the run of Christian Nade

:51:12.:51:14.

there, even though the keeper came out but I don't think they should

:51:15.:51:20.

panic, they should be over the moon, they are in a quarterfinal and

:51:21.:51:25.

second in the league. Is it down to a mental thing? Very much so, it is

:51:26.:51:29.

tough, there is a mental fragility when you have come through a long

:51:30.:51:34.

period of not losing games and then they have had a month of really big

:51:35.:51:39.

games, then come down and that combination has taken their foot off

:51:40.:51:43.

the pedal and as Darren says, concentration, you lose sloppy

:51:44.:51:46.

goals, you give yourself an uphill battle and they have not been able

:51:47.:51:51.

to turn it around but echoing what Darren says, they will be more than

:51:52.:51:56.

happy with the season so far. Quick word on Michael O'Halloran, making

:51:57.:51:59.

his debut for Rangers and he is all about direct, quick play. Yes,

:52:00.:52:05.

strong, pacey and I think they have brought him to play with Warokorn in

:52:06.:52:11.

the middle, but he has his injury but he has real pace and strength.

:52:12.:52:18.

Did you think about talking him to United? We spoke to a lot and talked

:52:19.:52:25.

about a lot of players and he is one that we liked, but he is a good

:52:26.:52:30.

player. He will get the ball and he will make things happen for you. He

:52:31.:52:34.

is something different, he gives a real pace and I think when you add

:52:35.:52:39.

that to the Rangers team, it gives them a different threat in the final

:52:40.:52:42.

third and he is definitely going to be a plus for that Rangers team. So

:52:43.:52:47.

as far as you are concerned, the title is in the bag for Rangers? I

:52:48.:52:52.

think so, Darren made a great point, Rangers have to lose more than four

:52:53.:52:54.

games and Hibs have do win everything and I think it is too

:52:55.:52:58.

much, Alan Stubbs has said that. That is the beauty of the play-offs,

:52:59.:53:02.

it gives teams a second bite of the cherry. And a massive weekend for

:53:03.:53:06.

Rangers in terms of the Scottish Cup, they take on Dundee. Michael

:53:07.:53:11.

and Doran at the rate Darren, thank you for tonight.

:53:12.:53:13.

The late Davie Cooper would've been 60 years old this week.

:53:14.:53:15.

A true Scottish football great, greatly missed, who lit

:53:16.:53:17.

He has scored. Cooper equalises for Rangers.

:53:18.:53:45.

Johnson is in, here is Cooper with a chance. It's a goal. Davie Cooper!

:53:46.:53:59.

Davie Cooper, 1-0.

:54:00.:54:02.

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