30/09/2012 Sportscene

It was a pretty decent goals total in the SPL last weekend. 22 of them,

and some of them were a bit special. Hearts are in front! And that is

Deflection and in, George McGuiness! I don't think we can top

last weekend for sensational strikes but we can offer you a

bigger total, 26 to cram into 40 minutes in a slightly shorter show

because of the Ryder Cup. Craig Gordon is here and so is Dave

Mackay. Ahead of Celtic's mission to Moscow, they had a Motherwell

meeting to attend to at Fir Park and the chance to elbow and the

early-season league leaders out of top spot.

Motherwell did not look like themselves in midweek when they

were out of the League Cup at Ibrox. Celtic are doing the running. Who

bears in. Darren Randolph is equal to it and it will come back here at

what the health -- and other health. They got away with that. He must

have thought he had scored. He scored four times against Great

Rovers -- great Rovers midweek. Brown. Randolph got a strong fist

onto that. He tried to take it across the keeper. He was raging

after the defeat to Rangers. A mistake by Kris Commons. It was

always rising. One win in 18 oversell so -- over Celtic for

Motherwell. That is Gary Hooper, he took that down well. Denied. He did

a lot of running in the SPL last week, Gary Hooper. No holds barred

week, Gary Hooper. No holds barred week, Gary Hooper. No holds barred

clearance. 1-0! Huda is deadly as usual. -- Hooper. He was denied by

Darren Randolph earlier in the match but was not to be denied

again. Celtic are bossing things. They know that one win takes them

back to the top of the table. It is 2-0!. Adam Cummins can't bear to

look. He thumped it across and Cummins was unfortunate. No changes

farther side at half-time. The Motherwell defenders are struggling.

It will be a penalty kick and a red-card for Adam carrot -- Adam

Cummins. His day is gone from bad to worse. Celtic have a big chance

of a third goal. Scott Brown, who missed from the Scott -- the spot

against Dundee a week ago, against Randolph. It is not good. That will

be the skip off penalty duties for a while. Two taken, both saved.

That is in the last seven days. Celtic have options left. Celtic

were guilty of being a big waste full last week against Dundee and

they are proving to be again today. -- a bit wasteful. Another good

ball. He knows his team will not be able to be so wasteful in front of

goal when they faced Spartak Moscow in the Champions League. -- face.

It was always going to be tough for the ten men against a rampant

the referee. He feels he should have had a spot kick here, but it

Is it a question of how many points Celtic win by? Everybody is

expecting that but at the European games could take their focus away

from the SPL. There is only one team who have beaten Celtic so far,

your team, David. It is fantastic to be done again this season. --

beat them again. It was 2-0 yesterday but there will have to go

up a level in Moscow. -- they will. Yes, but it's a great platform for

them to build on. Hopefully they can go out and recreate that kind

of performance. It is a worrying sight for goalkeepers and defences

in Scotland when Gary Hooper picks up ahead of scheme -- head of steam.

He is placing that into the net, are confident striker finding the

far post from a tight angle. He looks like he is on form and double

give the rest of his team-mates to lift as well going into a really

difficult European game. Motherwell would have been very aware of the

form he is in. It was a lovely ball from Kris Commons but they lost it

in the defence, didn't they? Yes, it was a lovely touch from hot --

from Commons but that's not good enough. Scott Brown is making runs

forward. I am sure the Scotland manager will be pleased to see that

because that is something that was missing from our team a few weeks

ago. Having him come back to form as a big thing for Celtic and the

national team. He is a big influence for both club and country.

Yes, Celtic really miss him when he is not there. We managed to

capitalise and score the winner but he is a massive player for Celtic.

Neil Lennon is happy with the form that his team but I am not sure

about his own first touch here. the best first touch I have ever

seen. An unfortunate British. He is -- he has done well to show no pain.

-- an unfortunate British. complexion for St Johnstone changed

with their defeat to Celtic. They were bidding three in a row when

Alan Mannus out quickly to narrow the angle. A good chance to get

Dundee on the board, just striking the woodwork. A shaken off ahead

there for the manager who has lost his two last matches. -- shake off

their head. Craig pokes it across. Gregory Tade has scored! De Liam

Craig looked up, saw Gregory Tade coming in and it is a clinical

finish. His third of the season. A challenge from Frazer Wright.

Penalty, says the referee. Before it was high, the ball struck the

arm. Conroy equalises for Dundee. He scored from the spot in Dundee's

only when. Liam Craig finishes! They had the chance to clear and

his first SPL goal for St Johnstone. May extend their lead. -- they

extend. Dundee in trouble again at home. Gregory target strikes that

would work. -- Gregory Tade. Davidson is all-over Stephen

MacLean, Steven MacLean goes down. No penalty, says the referee, but

Stephen MacLean is heard. He will need attention. He falls on his arm

and he pings his debt despite his Dundee gave me my chance in

football and I am very grateful to them.

They raised a real confidence about St Johnstone. Were you concerned.

You have to be concerned when you are sitting at the bottom of the

table but I know how good a squad we have. We have pushed on since

the win against Celtic. Stephen MacLean had a painful looking

injury, how is he? It looked horrible on the TV but he was

fantastic for us yesterday, he has started his career at St Johnstone

very well. The St Johnstone goals are evidence of a team on a high

and may be a team with some defensive concerns as well, in

Dundee. They stuck it away well in the end. It is a tight angle. He

has not got a lot to hit. It is a good striker's goal to finish it

off, coming off the back post. An important goal in the end. Three

good wins for you, Dave, the previous two coming at Dingwall and

also against Celtic, their only It was a great confidence booster

and to go to Dingwall and break their unbeaten record was another

great one for us. A will be carried that on again on Saturday. It is a

good squad that you have. And with Celtic, Singh Johnston looked as

well-equipped as anyone. You just have to look at that people in the

stand every week for us, plenty of players that can play SPL football

but cannot get signed at the moment. We should be in good stead for the

rest of this season. And you're a goal machine occasionally. Anomaly

popping one are to a season. I have not managed to get up my market

this season. There was nothing in that one, just Street End. He looks

at Natural born goalscorer. Yes, I is remembering the one that he

scored by me before it that I do not remember. Am glad you did not

show that one. Yesterday was the last chance for Dundee United to go

gold -- to score at and it is the odd goal. Jonathan Sutherland has

A better goal in their last three SPL gains Dundee United were

desperate. They were surprised to find themselves in the starting

find themselves in the starting find themselves in the starting

line-up here. Philip Roberts here with the pass was one to watch.

What a goal. The Irishman with superb strength for Inverness

Caledonian Thistle. On loan from Arsenal pot Roberts hair makes him

stand out from their crowd and it seems he has the talent to match.

2-0 FA at Caledonian Thistle. And it was almost becoming it fancies

it all this. -- fantasy that all. It was almost a spectacular goal.

On the wall, at Dundee United would is small. The header here it gave

the best chance. A good tip over from the stand then. Keith Watson

then cut inside to try his luck what this long-range attempt. But

there is something wrong with Dundee United at the moment and

there are struggling. And this was Caledonian Thistle's day. Alongside

their elite of some sunshine, the made it 3-0. And its home ground

knew that the three points clear in the bag. This was the day when it

all came right for at Inverness and all went wrong for Dundee United.

And it was not over yet. There was if this three kept within knock-

down and then it Philip Roberts rifled home goal No. 4. For stars

from Caledonian Thistle and not so One of their goalless Games was

against St Johnstone. Yes, we played them and it when they were

on a great run so I am very surprised that there are good squad

and once they get some of their players back to full fitness they

will start pushing back up the league again. That was great for

Inverness, they needed it. That's Accession of draws meant that that

was coming for them. And they have a real talismanic player there.

when I was playing for Scotland he scored a few goals against me. He

seems to be in a position now where he can play midfield and up front.

He is always coming up with important roles and putting it to

the back. That was a really good header across the goal. That his

five goals in four Games and you will know all about him because you

played against him. Yes, a few times. He does a great job fraught

them and he always is a player to score goals. I think his best

position is in the middle and he is showing that with his five goals in

his last four Games. He is leading by example as a captain. It defies

the determination that is wanted for at their team. The first

Highland derby in the SPL is coming up as well which could be fantastic.

Yes, I think everyone will be looking forward to that. It will be

nice to have won in the Premier nice to have won in the Premier

League. That will be the biggest one. I think it will be great for

the airier and good for the Premier League. We will look at the league

table later and it is hard to believe, you'll have to blink to

believe that Dundee United and the position that they run considering

the perceptions of out this season would pan out. We thought second

top rather than second bottom. Peter has done is the man in charge

a new norm from Hearts and you come from Scotland duties as well. Is he

the man to turn it all around? absolutely. Not so long ago he was

lifting up the cup for a glum and he has lost a lot for lot of

players but he is not in a bad job at all. The wage bill had to come

down. I think he had stunned very well for Dundee United. Once he

gets the players back their strongest part of the season has

yet to come. We will see them clean -- climbed the lead sooner or later

and they should not panic just yet. I'm sure that they will get it

right. He is a good manager and coach. He does need but a few

leaders out in the park. Not much doubt about the best score line of

the weekend for the SPL. This is what happened when St Mirren met

is 1-0 Ross County! What a start for them! And what a goal. 11

minutes played and Ross County are ahead. Great start for Derek Adams

side. Steven Thomson with the gold. It is at 121. That is what Steven

Thompson is all about. They could not keep it out. And Fraser is left

swinging in the Reading. To the back post and took to 14 at Ross

County. -- took top one. Going to Graham Carey on the left. St Mirren

are deflecting a cross into the box it goes. A great chance for Steven

Thompson. Lewis Guy has gone down and it is a penalty. It was all

happening here for a moment with Steven Thompson putting in the

point. Lewis Guy goes for the ball and is taken down. That is by Grant

Munro and that is at penalty for St Mirren. And Lewis Guy makes it to

all. It is a great cross! He has only been on the pitch for three

minutes and he has made it 3-took for a St Mirren. The former Chelsea

trainee with a goal to put them ahead. Jim Goodwin and St Mirren

back with possession. That is the final substitute Kerry McLean. What

a goal from Terry Maclean! -- Kenny Maclean. He is good at these long-

range shots. It is almost like watching Juventus. St Mirren are

trying to pass their way out. Ross County with a chance here now. A

second chance! And it is for it to three. A goal back for Ross County.

That is in the 79th minute. Ross County are refusing to take it

lying down. So many to be careful here. Ross County are still not

giving up at all. That is a great strike! It is 4-4. An incredible

game here. A great strike they are. His second goal in as many minutes.

Graeme Kay, he does not quite make it. Can you make something happen

here? -- Graham key. Steven Thompson, of what a goal! And

surely he has won it at the 89th minute. That was an incredible

match. Steven Thompson has clearly one nest match with a stupendous

I be the team that you expect to get some chances against them?

There plot against you going forward as well. I think that Danny

Lennon says that a lot because they do concede chances and his loss of

the is to do it that way. The to go forward when the concrete chances.

They took five of them on Saturday. A great performance. The winning

goal was a bit special we have to reluctantly admit. Although should

Steven Thompson be attempting best at this stage in his career? I did

not been he was flexible enough to be doing that. It is a phenomenal

strike. I do not know what to say about it because they have never

seen him score a goal like that, it is probably the best of his career.

He has scored goals in the Premier League here and in England but that

will be up near the top of his last for the best goals of his career.

No change for Hearts fans the this season as they are never sure what

is coming next. Let us see how it up getting and replacement contact

lens when, neck were put one-nil in front.

And that was frustrating for Hearts. -- when Kilmarnock went one goal

ahead. This was one of those days for Hearts boss. Killion Sheridan

would be trouble for Hearts all afternoon. After winning the gold

the former Celtic striker crossed for Gary Hart and Sue was inches

away from making it 2-0. It was a shrewd signing from Kenny Shiels.

His fantastic pass found Sheridan and powered on towards our goal.

Definitely on its side, Sheridan and making a mockery of the Hearts

of defending. And there would be worse to follow further was of a

maroon at persuasion. Jamie MacDonald made a mess of this

freeze kept. And Kelly in Sheridan was on hand to score or with his

first ever seen Europe hat-trick in the simplest possible ways. There

was plenty of shouts and BOOING by the end. This has been a huge

success this season but the radar was off. It is relying too much on

the youngster for goals for Hearts. John Sutton was coming from the

edge of the area. They tried to keep Kilmarnock intact. Then the

resistance was broken to make the score at 3-1 but that was all far

too late. Kelly and Sheridan was there it story of the day. -- Kelly

A great signing for it, neck. excellent signing. He did an

excellent job for its and at Johnson and he might have been a

little bit overshadowed but he created a lot of the special goals.

He did a lot of hard graft. So I'm not surprised that he started well

in his Kilmarnock career. One of the pictures we showed there was an

onside for that second goal. Jamie MacDonald might not have as DVD

recorder on for that one. It is such a difficult ball. You see them

firing into the far post and when it bounces like that it gives their

goat beekeeper very little reaction time. I think he will think that he

could have done better but it is a very difficult ball for a

goalkeeper to be dealing with. can only imagine that some Johnson

would have made efforts to get it back. -- some Johnson. When you

look through his brief career whenever he has been want sell 60

more or Motherwell, he scores goals. He does score goals. I would be

surprised that we never tried to get him back when he was available

but that editors into finances and whatever else. It is a great bit of

business for Kilmarnock. He will score a lot of goals for them this

season. I like that one. He scores all sorts of goals he has a great

leap as well. At fantastic thing for or Kilmarnock. Are you

concerned? Not just yet but Hearts do not have a big squad to choose

from and they have a lot of young players to try to get them to

produce the sorts of performances week in and week out and get that

consistency level is going to be difficult. I think the fans have to

be patient with the young players coming through to keep supporting

them because it might well be a difficult season ahead for them up.

But the longer they are in the team at the better they will become.

When I let it be known that you on the programme tonight. Some Hearts

fans were asking whether you're out she signed an deal for Tyne Castle.

Where are you on your comeback from injury? I am still trying to get

back. I still have a few niggling problems with my knee injuries. I

have had that for quite some time now. Just try to get fully fit

before I start looking for a club. Once they get to that stage that is

Two teams unbeaten in the SPL, Niall McGinn. Hibs have dominated

in terms of passing but Aberdeen take the lead with their first

shirt tug. The advantage is played. The referee is already reaching in

his pocket for a car. It is yellow. The starts were up there. --

starreds. Did that come off his arm? Penalty appeals are turned

down. Vernon's turn. It is blocked by Williams. It is touched over the

top, a double save by Ben Williams. What a chance this was fescues.

Should he had hit that earlier? -- for Hughes. That has taken

everybody by surprise, including Jamie Langfield, the Aberdeen Golf

-- goalkeeper. Suddenly, 12 minutes chance. Drifting into space, but

his touch took him the wrong way. Hughes has a look and lobs it

forward. 71 minutes, 2-1 Aberdeen. How important will that be enough

final analysis? The darting run, they cut back, and Aberdeen are

points from Lisle met in. A bad mistake by the defender. Vernon has

set up an Niall McGinn. It is off the line! Him that could have been

a costly mistake. Reynolds to the You get be feeling it might be a

platform for Aberdeen. Their squad platform for Aberdeen. Their squad

looks impressive. They gave us a bit of a runaround at Perth, easily

our worst performance of the season. Niall McGinn scored number-one.

There is Gavin Rae in the centre circle ahead of goal number two.

All the talk is of the defending here. He backs off a couple of

yards that leads in turn and he is giving the advantage to the

attacker to take him on. If he had stayed tight to him the only place

he could have gone would be backwards and the danger would have

been averted. It could have been made a lot easier for Hibs there.

It should be stressed that he has had an outstanding season for them.

He should have had a penalty given against him as well. Yes, he was

very lucky to get away with that. He has thrown himself across and it

has come off his arm. It looks as if the referee had a pretty good

view of that as well. He also had a good view of Alan Maybury's

challenge on Alan Fraser. I think he was a bit fortunate it was a

yellow. Yes, he is really dog-eared but that is slightly over the top.

He is unlucky -- he is lucky just to see yellow but he gets up and

complains about it. Pigs will benefit from having that kind of

determination, even though that deserved a red. -- Hibernian will

benefit. There have been about ten players booked for challenges on

Ryan Fraser. He is a good little player and he may be a bit too

tricky for some of the defenders. He has hit it so early here, I

don't think the keeper was expecting to receive it. He is not

set and that is why the reaction is a bit slow. It is a great strike

and the thing that has caught the goalkeeper out is the fact he has

hit it so early and given him very little chance to get in the right

position for it. We have new leaders in the SPL this weekend.

Celtic are ahead of Motherwell. Kilmarnock and so Mirren joined

Hibernian on 12 points. Dundee United are run eight points. Dundee

are wrong four points at the bottom. Come the next on the SPL, it is